Good Dental Habits

Practicing good dental habits starts at a very young age.  Actually they should start form the day we are born, even though we have no teeth.  Let’s go over some ways to develop good dental hygiene in both you and your children.

Flossing and brushing your teeth at home is just as important as visiting a dentist.  Here are some tips on brushing and flossing that you should know.

• Brushing of teeth should be done at least twice a day, if not after every meal.
  
  
• Brush all surfaces of the teeth, which include outer, inner and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
  
  
• Move your toothbrush in short, gentle, circular strokes.
  
  
• Where the gum meats the teeth, place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle then try to get the bristle tips just slightly under the gum line.
  
  
• The tongue is a part of your mouth so by all means, brush your tongue as far back as you can.  This removes any bacteria and freshens your breath.
  
• Using about 18 inches of floss, wrap most of it around your middle fingers and wind the rest of the floss around the same finger on the opposite hand.
  
  
• Glide the floss between your teeth.  Using care not to snap or jam the floss into the gum.
  
  
• Holding the floss tightly against the tooth, move the floss in up and down rubbing motions.
  
  
• Don’t forget to floss the backside of your last tooth.

Dental Tips for Children

• Parents should wipe newborn’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after each feedings to control the accumulation of plaque and to establish this as a part of his daily routine.
  
  
• Parents should start to brush a toddler’s teeth as soon as they start erupting the gum line, using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  
  
• A sleeping child should not be given a bottle of milk before going to bed, instead fill it up with water.
  
  
• Dental sealants are a very excellent way to prevent tooth decay in children.
  
  
• If a child is involved in sports then he or she will need to wear proper mouth protection.

Adult Dental Tips

• Brush teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.
  
  
• Replace your toothbrush every couple of weeks.
  
  
• Gums should not bleed upon brushing teeth.
  
  
• Avoid sticky candy such gummy worms.
  
  
• Don’t chew on ice and popcorn kernels, lollipops or other hard foods.  Over time you may crack or otherwise damage your teeth or fillings.
  
  
• If brushing your teeth is impossible after eating a meal, just rinse and a chew a piece of sugarless gum.