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]]>When it comes to preventing gum disease as well as fighting cavities, though, not all fluoride formulas are the same. The common go-to ingredient in gum-healthy toothpastes is stannous fluoride. Like the more commonly used sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride reduces the risk of cavities and strengthens tooth enamel.
Unlike bleaching products, which contain carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, whitening toothpaste only cleans the enamel rather than changing the color of your teeth. To obtain the benefits of whitening toothpaste, you need to use it regularly.
If a whitening toothpaste meets the ADA standards and contains fluoride, the next step is to clear it with your dentist. Whitening toothpaste often contains abrasives to remove surface stains. Though abrasives are an effective aid in tooth whitening, they may not be recommended if you have weak tooth enamel.
In certain situations, your dentist may suggest or prescribe specialty toothpaste, depending on your oral health needs. For example, patients who are prone to tooth decay and cavities despite frequent brushing and flossing may benefit from prescription-strength fluoridated toothpaste to help prevent the weakening of tooth enamel. Others who suffer from tooth sensitivity may benefit from the use of desensitizing toothpaste.
Before a child can spit, use toothpaste without fluoride. This is an ideal time to use toothpaste with xylitol. Xylitol should be listed as the first ingredient; this way you’ll get the almost medicinal property of this natural sweetener. After you have found the right type of toothpaste, consider its flavor. The best kind of toothpaste is one that will be used, so choose a flavor that your child will love.
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]]>The most important time to brush is at night before bed. When we sleep, our saliva production decreases, and this creates an environment for oral bacteria to cause greater destruction to our teeth and gums. Ideally, your child should brush at least two minutes twice per day, followed by flossing.
Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, the gums can benefit from your careful attention. After breast- or bottle-feeding, wrap one finger with a clean, damp washcloth or piece of gauze and gently rub it across your baby’s gum tissue. This practice both clears your little one’s mouth of any fragments of food and begins the process for building good daily oral care habits.
When your baby’s teeth start to erupt, it’s time to incorporate a toothbrush into your hygiene routine. Start by getting into a position that gives you control and enables you to see well into your child’s mouth. If you can see clearly, you will be able to maneuver the toothbrush better around your child’s mouth for a better quality of brushing.
Using a circular motion, brush all sides of their teeth. Be sure to let your toddler have a turn after you’re done so they can get used to brushing on their own. This way, he or she is more likely to repeat the brushing and flossing exercise when they are old enough.
The only way to get better at something is to practice, practice, and practice. Have your child practice brushing on his or her favorite stuffed animal, and use that opportunity to teach your youngster how to hold the brush and use circular cleaning motions. Showing how you brush your own teeth can also be worthwhile.
Kids love the responsibility of making “big kid” decisions. Keep a variety of toothbrushes, colors of floss, and toothpaste flavors on hand so they can choose something “new” each time they brush.
Flossers are great for older children with better dexterity. They have a horseshoe shape on one end with floss in between. You can make a choice for individual preference with color, handle size, or shape to suit your child’s needs.
The most important thing to consider is your child’s age and stage of development. Up until age ten, your child will not have the dexterity to adequately brush or floss independently. Automatic toothbrushes are highly appropriate for all ages. Brushing quality improves when using a battery-powered toothbrush. Use it together with your child, and always play an active role in your child’s oral home care.
The important things to remember when you seek to establish good brushing habits is to keep it fun and stay consistent with your routine. It may take some getting used to, but after a while, your child will become familiar with brushing and might even look forward to their new dental routine.
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]]>It’s important to note that while many of the mouthwashes you find on the shelf at your local drugstore may be advertised for cosmetic purposes, some of them actually contain bacteria fighting substances like fluoride and peroxide. However, if your dentist has told you that you are at risk for tooth decay or gum disease, you will want to use a prescribed mouthwash with stronger bacteria fighting substances.
There are two categories that mouthwashes fall into: cosmetic, which temporarily combat bad breath and contain fluoride or peroxide to help manage bacteria, and therapeutic, which contain stronger substances that control or reduce bad breath, gingivitis, plaque, and tooth decay.
Cosmetic mouthwash usually contains fluoride and sometimes peroxide. In liquid form, the rinse can reach all around your teeth, even the nooks and crannies your toothbrush can’t reach. It has been proven that fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, in turn protecting against decay. Fluoride can even reduce miniscule lesions on teeth where a cavity might develop.
Therapeutic mouthwash contains ingredients to control and reduce plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance full of bacteria that sits on the surface of your teeth and other parts of your mouth. Studies have shown that therapeutic mouthwash decreases plaque more significantly than brushing and flossing alone.
Active ingredients in a therapeutic mouthwash may include:
When perusing the mouthwash aisle at your local drugstore, be sure to look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal on the label. This means that the product has not only been evaluated, but proven effective by renowned dental experts. With prescription mouthwash, you must follow your dentist’s directions carefully. Mouthwash benefits most people, but it should not be used for children under six years of age, as they may accidentally swallow the liquid.
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]]>Some patients don’t like flossing, have difficulty flossing correctly, or don’t floss enough. Interdental brushes are a great alternative to removing extra debris between your teeth, especially near the molars where it may be harder to reach with floss. These brushes look similar in shape to a pencil, with a metal wire core and soft nylon filaments twisted around the brush head. They are easy to use and even improve the amount of tooth surface area they can clean. If you’re suffering from gum disease, interdental brushes are a more gentle approach to flossing. With minimal bleeding of the gums, and ultimately minimal damage, interdental brushes can help to halt the progression of gum disease.
There are different types and sizes of interdental brushes, so choosing one that works uniquely for your teeth may be a hard choice. Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing your interdental brush:
Also known as a water pick or water jet, an oral irrigation device is another alternative to flossing. It uses a stream of pressurized, pulsating water to clean in between the teeth and around the gum line. This type of device is recommended for people who are unable to tolerate flossing every day. If you have sensitive gums, orthodontic appliances, diabetes, or dental implants, an oral irrigation device might be a better option compared to traditional flossing. Oral irrigation devices are less irritating, easier to maneuver, and can remove more plaque than traditional flossing or for those who only brush.
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]]>If you want your teeth to last a lifetime, the prevention of cavities is rather simple: brush and floss every day, pay attention to your diet, and see your dentist regularly. An alternative option is dental sealants, which are thin coatings your dentist paints on the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. They can prevent cavities for many years.
It always goes back to the basics. If you invest your time into a good oral hygiene routine, cavity prevention is almost guaranteed. It is recommended to brush and floss your teeth at least two times a day, every day. This helps to remove food particles and harmful bacteria that stick in and around your teeth. Flossing reaches the nooks and crannies that your toothbrush is unable to reach. Be sure to choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride, as this mineral can help prevent and repair cavities that are in their early stages.
There are certain foods and beverages, while they may taste good, are incredibly damaging to your teeth. For example, soda, sports drinks, fruit juice, and energy drinks (even the sugar-free ones) contain acids that attack your tooth enamel, ultimately eroding it and making your teeth more susceptible to decay. The best alternative is to drink fluoride-containing water, as it lacks acidic properties and helps replenish your saliva. Foods like cookies, candy, donuts, and chips are also damaging to your teeth, especially if the remaining food particles are not removed through brushing and flossing. These sugary and starchy foods nourish the oral bacteria that create cavities, raising the acidity level in your mouth.
It is recommended that you visit your dentist at least twice a year for checkups and professional cleanings. Your dentist will take a look to see if you have any early signs of a problem developing inside your mouth and take swift action if there is. Your dental hygienist is able to clear away debris in your mouth that you can’t reach with a toothbrush or even floss. Alongside your dental team, you will be able to combat any early signs of decay or disease that comes your way.
A dental sealant is a clear, protective coating applied by your dentist to prevent cavities from forming or stopping minor decay from developing further. Sealants act as a barrier between acid-producing bacteria and the grooves and crevices of teeth’s chewing surfaces. While sealants can be used on adults, children, especially those who have their permanent teeth, gain the most benefit from dental sealants. Children with sealants are up to three times less likely to develop cavities than those without. Of course, sealants don’t replace good home hygiene, so be sure your child still brushes twice a day and flosses at least once per day.
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