ORAL HYGIENE

Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. Thus meaning that your teeth are clean and free of debris gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss them.

If your experience pain or bleeding while brushing or flossing, or you are experiencing persistent bad breath you should consult with us.

We can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and can help point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention during brushing and flossing.

Daily care, including proper cleaning and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop and is much less painful and expensive than treating them.

We recommend doing the following:

• Brushing thoroughly twice a day and flossing daily.
• Eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals.
• Using dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste

Children also need to be guided with their oral health care techniques and their parents should be informed of how to help them accomplish this goal. Cavities are the most common childhood ailment and can be prevented with proper oral health care and preventative measures.

Kids should therefore not be free to eat whatever they please as they tend to be attracted to sweet and sugary foods that can cause tooth decay. These substances are more difficult to clean off of children’s teeth and can result in the accumulation of plaque and cavities. Even though children’s teeth eventually fall out and are replaced with permanent teeth they are important part in a child’s overall oral health and development.

Oral Hygiene Guidelines for Children and Babies:

• Baby Teeth – An infant’s teeth should be cleaned as soon as they erupt, typically within the first six months of age. Although you should consult with your dentist regarding how to clean their teeth, you can use a small washcloth or gauze after every feeding. When multiple teeth erupt, you can soak a child appropriate toothbrush in warm water and use it on your baby’s teeth.
• Children’s Teeth – Your child’s teeth should be cleaned by the parent or provider until the child is coordinated enough to do it themselves. It is important that your child see a dentist by age one to establish a dental plan and to get professional and periodic cleanings.
• Flossing – Flossing can begin when two teeth have erupted next to each other. Children should floss on their own daily when they are coordinated to do it on their own, usually around the age of six.
• Mouth Rinse – Children can use a mouth rinse when they are ready to take on the responsibility, although this is recommended by age seven.