Children and the Dentist

Posted on 09.27.16 By Alf Le

toothy-grin-1502299-639x424There is always questions revolving around children and when they should first start seeing a dentist. Dental hygiene and regular checkups are just as important for kids as they are for adults. Good oral hygiene habits should be ingrained in us when we are young as they are essential for not only developing teeth as well as our adult teeth. If we don’t take care of our baby teeth then we can incur problems with our permanent teeth once they have developed. So this begs the question, what age do we start bringing children to the dentist and what ways can we improve their oral health?

It is recommended that kids have their first oral health check by the age of two, although it can be good to bring them in earlier during your regular check-ups and cleans, as this will help to get them used to the environment. It is not necessary to bribe your kids to see a dentist as it shouldn’t be a daunting experience, it should be portrayed as positive, interesting and fun. Appointments earlier in the day are generally better as they won’t be too tired and will be more compliable. We want them to enjoy coming to see us as this helps to prevent issues in the future as they grow older.

We find that a lot of children are left to their own devices in regards to their oral hygiene, parents should be helping and continuing to teach them until at least the age of 7 or 8. The reason you need to be brushing for your kids until this age is because they don’t have the dexterity to be able to brush their teeth properly, after this age they should be able to do a sufficient enough job by themselves.  

tidy-teeth-1-1425487-640x480Children, like adults, need to be brushing their teeth at least twice a day as well as flossing. Although their baby teeth will eventually fall out, it is imperative to look after them whilst they have got them. Losing a baby tooth early can impact the development of the adult teeth, it is something that is preferably avoided. It is advisable to avoid sugary and processed food as this is a major cause of decay, especially in young children. Tap water is always a good option as it contains fluoride which helps developing teeth to become strong and healthy.

If you have any further questions regarding children and the dentist, please don’t hesitate to ask our friendly staff. We will endeavour to be as helpful and insightful as possible. Remember the golden rule, prevention is better than a cure, it is much easier to maintain good oral hygiene than it is to fix an issue.

Our top 5 tips to a healthy mouth

Posted on 09.2.16 By Alf Le

We understand that life gets busy and sometimes looking after ourselves can take the backseat for a while. We may forget to brush our teeth as we run out the door for a busy day or maybe it’s been a week since you flossed and that piece of steak stuck between your teeth is now the last of your worries? With that in mind, we have compiled our top five tips to a healthy mouth.

Oral Hygiene

tidy-teeth-1-1425487-640x480Good oral hygiene is the first step to an overall healthy mouth, but what does this entail and how can we achieve it?

Well firstly, regular brushing is imperative. This is the first step to removing all of the leftover food and debris we accumulate from eating. If we don’t brush after meals then plaque (a film that holds millions of bacteria) builds up and over time it hardens into tartar. Plaque and tartar are what cause tooth decay and gum disease. So regular brushing helps to remove this plaque and the germs that cause these problems.

When brushing it is important to ensure that all surfaces of the teeth and gums are gently scrubbed and that we spend some time giving our tongue a good clean as well.

The next step in maintaining good oral hygiene is flossing. Brushing alone only cleans three out of five surfaces of your teeth. Only flossing cleans the remaining two. It not only cleans the hard to reach surfaces between your teeth but also helps to maintain healthy gums. It is generally recommended that we should be flossing once a day at night before bed with your along with your brushing routine.

 

Be mindful of what you are eating

candies-1177401-639x430In this day and age, processed and sugary food and beverages are everywhere. We consume them daily and although we are aware of the health issues it can cause, it is good to remember the damage that it can do to our teeth and gums as well. Sugary food increase plaque formation placing you at higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Acidic food, including some fruits are also something we need to be aware of. If we are consuming too much acidic food or drinks then it can soften the enamel exposing them to wear, erosion and decay.  

It is best not to brush immediately after having something acidic as your teeth are more likely to be weakened at the time. The best thing to do is it to rinse with water and wait at least half an hour after eating before brushing your teeth.

Alcohol and Tobacco

Not only can alcohol and tobacco products affect your overall health, they also play a part in your oral health. Alcohol can decrease saliva production, resulting in a dry mouth which is a cause of tooth decay. Saliva contains proteins and minerals that help to protect your tooth enamel, prevent decay and gum disease. Tobacco use can raise the risk of oral cancer and other diseases, this can be detrimental to not only your oral health but also your general health. The nicotine in tobacco raises the chance of developing gum disease and inhibits the gum tissue from fighting infection.

Protect your teeth

A lot of us are involved in sports, whether It be recreational or professionally. With this being said, it is crucial to protect your teeth during contact sports. Wearing a custom made mouthguard from your dentist is the best way to prevent injuries to your teeth, jaw and gums that may be caused from a blow to the mouth. A properly fitted mouthguard absorbs impact, protects the gums from laceration and cushions the jaw from impact whilst playing sports.

Regular maintenance visits

Waiting roomIt is recommended that you see your dentist every six months to have a comprehensive check-up and professional clean. You still need to brush and floss daily between visits, as this will help to prevent any issues occurring during these periods. Brushing and flossing your teeth removes the majority of plaque but over time we a build-up of tartar is inevitable. This hardened dental plaque is impossible to remove by general brushing. If this is left on your teeth, it gradually worsens and can start to cause tooth decay and inflamed gums. Your dentist uses special instruments that cleans away the tartar under and around the gums and will then polish your teeth.

We only have one set of adult teeth and by following our 5 top tips you’re well on the way to minimising dental issues and keeping your smile for life.