Proper At Home Dental Care For Kids

Flossing removes plaque from the areas between our teeth that our toothbrushes cannot reach. If that plaque remains, it often leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Be certain that your child flosses at least once per day because a toothbrush, on its own, will only achieve so much for their oral hygiene and health. It is also important to floss after eating any meal or snack that  gets stuck between their teeth before it has a chance to develop into a more serious oral health condition.

Fluoride is successful at preventing cavities and repairing tooth enamel, a fact that has consistently been solidified by scientific research. A naturally occurring element, fluoride is completely safe when it is properly utilized. Parents are urged to only use a small smear (size of a rice grain) of toothpaste on a toothbrush for babies and children younger than the age of three, and a pea-sized dab for children ages three to six.

An extra-soft or soft-bristled toothbrush, with a head that is small enough to comfortably reach your child’s back teeth, is recommended. With it, your child will get a thorough cleaning and avoid the abrasion that often comes with a medium or hard-bristled toothbrush. You should also change your child’s toothbrush when the bristles begin to wear down or soften, or after your child is sick.  Toothbrushes need to be replaced more often for children.

Gently brush at a 45-degree angle against the gumline with a short, circular motion. Brushing too frequently, or with excess force, can cause gum recession and harm the root surfaces of your child’s teeth, abrading them in the process. When tooth roots are exposed, they are at a greater risk of decay and might become quite sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. These surfaces are not covered by ultra-hard enamel that protects the crown of our teeth above the gumline, so they tend to wear faster. Brush efficiently with moderate force twice per day for about two minutes on each occasion.

There are several types of mouthwash on the market and each can serve as a great adjunct to brushing.  Children who are young and unable to spit well should not use mouthwash with fluoride or alcohol in it.  On the other hand, older children and adolescents who have high risk for cavities should utilize a daily mouthwash with fluoride in it to lower their overall risk and strengthen their teeth.  There are many mouthwashes that do not have alcohol or fluoride in them, which can be considered.

A moist mouth is crucial for all children since mouth dryness increases plaque accumulation and risk of both tooth decay and gum disease. Tobacco products, alcohol, caffeine, and certain over-the-counter prescription medications help contribute to mouth dryness. Drinking water is important because it keeps your child hydrated and provides several health benefits for their body. Within our mouths, it keeps sensitive areas moist and stimulates the healthy movement of saliva. Saliva buffers acids, helps digestion, assists the mouth in thwarting germs, and safeguards our teeth from decay.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of both children and adults, despite being almost completely preventable. Sugars are consumed by oral bacteria and then release acids that attack our teeth, producing tooth decay and cavities. Consuming less sugar is beneficial for our teeth, but, if your child cannot eliminate these snacks from their diet altogether, limit them to mealtimes a couple days a week. This allows their saliva an opportunity to better neutralize and diminish the acids when consumed.

Acids soften the hard enamel that covers our teeth by dissolving the outer layers, giving our teeth a gritty feel. Soda, sports drinks, and juices dissolve calcium out of the surface enamel through a process known as de-mineralization. Because saliva is rich in minerals, it has a natural neutralizing and buffering capability that will re-mineralize enamel surfaces impacted by acid. This is why it is important to steer clear of these drinks, and instead drink plenty of water.

Aside from sugar intake, there are a few other detrimental oral health habits that you should be aware of, including the use of tobacco products, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, and chewing on fingernails, pencils, pens, or bottle caps. Understanding the effects of these tendencies, all of which have negative ramifications on your child’s overall oral health, will assist you in helping your child to avoid them. Another example is an oral piercing, as it increases the chances of experiencing gum pain or a chipped tooth. A clenching or grinding habit can also harm their teeth, jaw joints, and muscles, particularly during sleep.