Can a Social Media Application be a Valid Educational Tool for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Patients?

BACKGROUND: TikTok (ByteDance, Beijing, China) is the fastest growing social media application (SMA) to date and has become a major source of information for medicine. The rising use of media platforms by patients and practitioners alike plays a significant role in the perception of healthcare. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the presence and popularity of oral and maxillofacial surgery content on the SMA, to measure whether the information shared is useful for viewers, and whether there are differences in quality of the videos between video content producer groups. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, AND SAMPLE: A cross-sectional study was used to evaluate oral and maxillofacial surgery content on the SMA. Included videos were published during a 3-month period (November 16, 2021 to February 17, 2022) and mentioned "oral surgery" or "wisdom teeth" in the video description, title, or hashtag. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: The independent variable was video content producer-content created by health professionals versus laypersons. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE: Quality of each video was determined by the information in the video and its usefulness, using the Global Quality Scale (GQS) criteria. COVARIATES: Topic was categorized as educational or anecdotal. Popularity was measured by the number of likes accumulated. ANALYSES: Statistical analysis was performed using 2-sample t-tests. Statistical significance was achieved with a P value < .05 with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Of 558 videos searched, 426 videos met study criteria. GQS score was greater in health professional videos (MHP = 3.30) versus layperson videos (ML = 2.05) (P < .05). Most video content producers were laypersons (69%) and videos were mostly anecdotal (87%). Health professional videos had greater popularity than layperson videos (P < .05). Health professionals and laypersons averaged 25,148 likes and 2,109 likes, respectively. All videos combined totaled 3,939,685 likes. CONCLUSION: By analyzing GQS and the popularity of videos, it has shown that health professionals produced higher quality videos along with greater number of likes. With 39% of videos by health professionals being educational, it shows that we are using the SMA to instruct patients. However, there is still room to produce more educational rather than anecdotal videos with the goal to provide accurate information to patients.

Effects of a Novel Formulation on Oral Biofilm, pH Buffering, and Gingival Health in Patients with Dry Mouth.

GOAL: To identify in patients with dry mouth the effects of a novel test agent (Oral Essentials Hydrating Formula Mouthwash, Beverly Hills, CA) versus a control agent (Biotène Dry Mouth Oral Rinse, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare L.P., Moon Township, PA, USA) versus no treatment on dry mouth, plaque, salivary pH and buffering capacity, gingival health, and tooth sensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-over study, ten subjects with dry mouth used test and control dry mouth interventions, as well as no dry mouth intervention in randomized sequence. Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Sulcus Bleeding Index, Plaque staining, and photographs were recorded at baseline and end of each study arm. Salivary volume, pH, and buffering capacity were also recorded at these time points. Additionally, subjects completed a questionnaire for dry mouth and dentinal sensitivity at each visit. RESULTS: Reductions in plaque presence and clinical indices were similar after use of test or control products (p < 0.05). Saliva volume and pH buffering improved significantly after use of test and control products (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of a novel dry mouth intervention are similar to those of an existing OTC remedy and are significantly better than no intervention.

Effects of A Novel Disc Formulation on Dry Mouth Symptoms and Enamel Remineralization in Patients With Hyposalivation: An In Vivo Study.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to identify the in vivo effects in patients with hyposalivation of a novel slowly dissolving adhering test disc upon on enamel remineralization, oral biofilm, salivary production, pH and buffering, gingival health, and on self-evaluation of oral well-being. METHODS: Five subjects with xerostomia wore custom made retainers carrying 5 demineralized enamel chips for periods of 1 week each. In 1 study arm, subjects used the test agent plus oral hygiene self-care; in the other they used oral hygiene self-care only, with a 1 week washout in between arms. The treatment sequence was randomized. Before and after each study arm Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI) and Sulcus Bleeding Index (mSBI) were recorded. Clinical plaque staining was quantified using digital image analysis. Saliva production, pH and buffering capacity were recorded. Subjects completed a self-evaluation questionnaire for oral comfort. Enamel samples underwent standardized Knoop microhardness testing to quantify mineralization status. RESULTS: Plaque presence and clinical Plaque Indices decreased significantly with test agent use (p<0.05). Five-minute saliva production almost doubled 10 and 40 minutes after oral test disc insertion (significant, p<0.05). Salivary pH buffering improved in 4/5 subjects with disc use. All demineralized tooth samples re-hardened intraorally (p>0.05). The discs favorably impacted eating problems and dental sensitivity. Subjects were positive about disc flavor and mouth feel. CONCLUSION: Using established in vivo techniques, the effects of a novel product in xerostomic patients were evaluated and quantified. The adhering disc facilitated eating, reduced dental sensitivity, improved saliva production and buffering capacity, reduced plaque, and alleviated xerostomia symptoms. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Xerostomia management is challenging. A novel dry mouth disc was effective in alleviating dry mouth symptoms.