Teeth vary in size, shape and their location in the jaws. These differences enable teeth to work together to help you chew, speak and smile. They also help give your face its shape and form.
With proper care and regular dental visits, it is possible for many children to reach adulthood without experiencing tooth decay.
Good oral hygiene is a step toward a healthier life. The older you get, the more decisions you will get to make—some of these decisions will affect whether your smile is healthy and attractive.
Brushing and flossing daily, eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks, and regular visits to your dentist will help you maintain a healthy smile.
Healthy teeth and gums are essential for a healthy body. From their first baby teeth to their adult teeth, you can help your children enjoy a lifetime of good oral health with proper care at home, a balanced diet and regular dental visits.
Care for Your Infant
- Begin cleaning your baby's mouth during the first few days after birth. Wipe your baby's gums with a clean gauze pad after each feeding to remove plaque and residual food that can harm erupting teeth.
- When your child's teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a child's size toothbrush and water (toothpaste is used for children two and older).
- To prevent tooth decay, infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottle before going to bed.
- If you use a pacifier, use a clean one. Never give a baby a pacifier dipped it in sugar or honey.
- With your child's first birthday, begin regular dental check-ups for "smile" insurance.
Prevent Tooth Decay
- Maintain a balanced diet for your child by selecting foods from the five main food groups—fruits, vegetables, meat, grains and dairy.
- Limit between-meal snacks. If your child needs a snack choose nutritious foods from the main food groups rather than cookies, candy and other sweets.
- Ensure that school food services and vending services offer nutritious selections.
- Encourage children and adolescents to drink water.
Encourage Brushing & Flossing
- Brushing twice a day and flossing are necessary to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
- A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children two and older is all that is needed.
- Make sure your child spits out the toothpaste rather than swallowing it.
- For young children, select a child-size toothbrush with soft bristles.
- Children should be able to brush alone by age seven.
- Replace toothbrushes every three to four months.
- Use floss as soon as the child has two teeth that touch.
- Ask us to demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques.
- Supervise your child's brushing and flossing until you are satisfied they are doing both properly.
The older you get, the more decisions you will get to make—some of these decisions will affect whether your smile is healthy and attractive.
Knowledge is power, so take this opportunity to explore ways to keep your teeth strong, your gums healthy, and your smile engaging and other topics of interest to teens today. And, make it a priority to visit us regularly.
Did you know that good oral hygiene is also a step toward a healthier life? Given that recent research suggests potential links between the bacteria that cause gum disease and systemic diseases, prevention of periodontal disease is an important step in maintaining overall health.
The importance of regular dental check-ups cannot be overemphasized. In addition to checking your teeth, we also look for signs of diseases such as oral cancer. Tell us if you notice any sores, swelling or discoloration that you find on your tongue, lips, cheek, throat, jawbone, or palate.
Because the majority of oral cancers occur in people older than 45, dental checkups are increasingly important to detect cancerous lesions in early, more easily treatable stages.
Today, many adults are enhancing their smiles with braces, veneers and whitening products to keep their smiles young and healthy looking. Talk to us about these options.
