The Oral Awareness Approach is built on three foundational actions: Feel, Observe, and Respond.
This structure transforms passive brushing into intentional self-assessment.
1. Feel
Your mouth is highly innervated and sensitive. It provides constant feedback — if you are paying attention.
As you brush and floss, notice:
- Tenderness along the gumline
- Sensitivity to temperature or pressure
- Areas that bleed easily
- Subtle swelling or puffiness
- Rough or irregular tooth surfaces
These sensations often precede visible disease. Sensory awareness allows you to detect inflammation in its earliest stage.
2. Observe
Visual inspection is equally important.
Under good lighting, gently examine:
- Gum color (healthy gums are typically coral pink, not red or dusky)
- Gum contour (firm and scalloped, not rounded or swollen)
- Areas of recession
- Plaque accumulation near the gumline
- Any changes from the previous week
Consistency in observation allows you to recognize patterns rather than reacting to isolated changes.
Oral health changes gradually. Awareness makes those changes visible sooner.
3. Respond
Awareness without action is incomplete.
When you detect sensitivity or sensations:
- Refine your brushing technique
- Adjust flossing consistency and technique
- Increase focus on inflamed areas
- Schedule professional evaluation early
Early response reduces the need for more invasive intervention later.
Prevention is most powerful when it is timely.
Jenny Adrian RDH 