Proper tooth brushing is essential to the health of all children. Children have to be taught good brushing habits and proper brushing techniques. Failure to teach these disciplines can encourage negligence that will follow a child into adolescence and adulthood. Proactive parents should supervise their children as they are brushing their teeth to make sure they are doing it correctly and for long enough periods of time.

Children need to brush their teeth at least two times a day, but it is better to have them brush after each and every meal. There are four things to keep in mind as well.

The type of toothbrush matters.
Children must always use a soft bristle brush. Medium and hard bristle brushes should NOT be used. A soft toothbrush is more able to remove plaque below the gumline. This is essential to dental heath, because plaque below the gumline contributes to rampant cavity formation in young children.

Medium bristle and hard bristle toothbrushes do not have the flexibility necessary to reach under the gum, and they have a tendency to cut the gums.

Children should brush with fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride makes tooth enamel harder and more resistant to tooth decay. It can stop a in its tracks and make it easier to repair the tooth with cosmetic dental bonding (we do not use silver amalgam fillings in pediatric dentistry.)

Please keep in mind that fluoride toothpaste should never be swallowed. Teach this to your children and store the toothpaste out of reach until they are old enough to understand the dangers of fluoride toxicity.

The angle at which children brush their teeth is also very important.
The toothbrush should be tilted so the tip will brush the backs of the front teeth. This gives the insides of the teeth more attention. It is better for children to begin by brushing the insides of the upper teeth, then switch to the insides of the lower teeth.

It is necessary for children to brush their teeth in a specific pattern.
Whatever teeth the child starts brushing, it is important that he or she follow the same pattern every day to make sure all tooth surfaces are cleaned. Children need to be regularly reminded to gently brush their tongues and the roofs of their mouths. As strange as such advice may seem at face value, it is actually very healthy for the child because it removes the same germs that cause plaque buildup and bad breath.

We have also found, after many years of practicing pediatric dentistry, that children sometimes consider it even more fun to brush their tongues than their teeth!

Labels: dental floss, pediatric dentistry, tooth brushing

The basics of good dental hygiene have never changed and never well change. A combination of brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups and cleaning can ensure a bright healthy smile for life. You have to do your part to make this work. The dentist can correct almost any problems when you come to see him or her. However, only you can prevent problems.

The best toothbrush to use is one with soft, rounded bristles. Medium toothbrushes and hard tooth brushes can damage gums. Use a toothbrush that is comfortable for you to maneuver, and use a manual toothbrush. Almost all you hear about power toothbrushes is hype.

Good oral hygiene requires using toothpaste that contains fluoride. Other ingredients in toothpaste, such as antibacterial agents, are good, but they are no substitute for fluoride. Tartar control and teeth whitening agents are fine, as well as baking soda, but nothing beats good fluoride toothpaste.

Flossing is another element of good oral hygiene that everyone knows about, but that many neglect to do.
The type of floss does not matter. What is important is to cover all the sides of the tooth and move it below the gum line in the process. Do so until you hear a squeaking sound, which indicates all tartar has been removed.

People make all sorts of excuses about why they do not floss. They say it hurts them, or causes their gums to bleed. These are not valid reasons to avoid flossing. Healthy gums are not hurt by flossing, nor do they bleed. If you hurt when you floss or see blood, call a dentist immediately to get checked out for gum disease.

It is estimated that 80% of all Americans suffer from gum disease, but many of them do not know they have it. Leaving Periodontitis untreated leads to all sorts of complications, including tooth loss and even life threatening conditions such as heart conditions.

Tooth Brushing
Hygiene Supplies & Products
Oral Hygiene
Flossing

It is important to visit a dental office for periodic cleaning and regular checkups in addition to maintaining a regimen of good oral hygiene. Professional teeth cleaning services is something that everyone should have done on a regular basis. Hygienists at the Medical Center Dental Group can screen for tooth decay with x-rays and a special cavity-detecting laser called diagnodent. A standard cleaning session also involves fluoride treatments and careful review of your case history to provide you with personalized at-home care recommendations to maximize the chances of successful daily oral hygiene.

Labels: dental floss, dental hygeine, oral hygeine, Sensodyne Toothpaste, tooth brushing, tooth whitening