Oral health is considered to be the mirror of systemic health and hence, references to oral hygiene maintenance and practices can be found in religious preachings and ancient inscriptions in addition to modern scientific research. Various rudimentary devices like tree twigs, bird feathers, chewing sticks, and toothpowder made from crushed bones or eggshells have been documented based on evidence from archaeological excavations, dating back to the pre-Mesopotamian era up to Greek and Chinese civilizations.
With the evolution of civilization and technological breakthroughs, advances like toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouth rinses, dental floss, etc. were introduced into the market. Mass production of these products started in the late 19th century and successfully brought them to every household, making them an indispensable part of the common man’s daily routine. The demand-supply dynamics of these products have been altered by widespread over-the-counter (OTC) availability and rampant marketing, which has resulted in a sharp rise in their sales globally.
Due to a shifting perception of beauty and an amplified emphasis on external appearances, the desire to look ‘in the springtime’ of one's life may be one of the most prevalent worries among people in today's society. As a result, having bright, shiny teeth was associated with good aesthetics, and the population’s preference went towards cost-effective and time-saving options that could yield quicker results. Thus, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouth rinses, flosses, etc. were made available directly to people OTC.
OTC products initially catered to basic patient needs like preventing caries and plaque formation while providing refreshing breath to the individual, but subsequently, their evolution has resulted in assisting patients to achieve teeth alignment using clear aligners, esthetic reshaping of teeth using at-home veneer kits, and whiter teeth using bleaching strips and kits. In the past, the only way to maintain oral hygiene was to visit the dentist, and these OTC solutions helped reduce the burden on healthcare by making oral hygiene accessible to the masses from the comfort of their homes. Subsequently, extensive research and cutting-edge technology flooded the market with a wide array of OTC products, and their extensive popularity resulted in skyrocketing sales.
This raises the question of the safety, efficacy, and abuse of these products by individuals, which may result from an incomplete understanding of the indications and contraindications of these products or treatments. Unregulated, unsupervised use of these products may cause adverse reactions like increased sensitivity, abrasion of the enamel layer of the tooth surface, trauma to soft tissues, bleeding gums, altered taste perceptions, etc. Such a wide range of products also causes a puzzling situation for both the patient and the dentist. In this series of articles, we will explore some widely popular OTC products/treatments availed by the public their efficacy, and adverse effects.
References:
Maltz M. Over-the-counter preventive and therapeutic oral products. Braz Oral Res. 2009;23 Suppl 1:4-7.
Jardim JJ, Alves LS, Maltz M. The history and global market of oral home-care products. Braz Oral Res. 2009;23 Suppl 1:17-22.
