Six simple steps to achieve healthy teeth for life
There are a lot of reasons why striving for healthy teeth is worth your time – and it’s not just because you’ll have a killer smile to show for it!
Practicing good oral hygiene is the best way to ensure you steer clear of any major dental disasters down the track, and it’s great for your overall health.
At Macarthur Paediatric Dentistry we like to teach kids from a young age the importance of preventative care so that they can have healthy teeth for life. Here are six simple steps that you can help implement at home to ensure everyone in your family maintains a winning smile:
BRUSH MORNING AND NIGHT
The foundation for healthy teeth is consistently brushing twice a day for a full two minutes each time.
You should aim to start helping your child brush their teeth as soon as their first baby tooth comes through. Not only is this beneficial in starting good habits early, but it helps prevent the risk of decay or other dental problems that can sometimes have lasting impacts.
At your child’s first dental appointment your paediatric specialist will show you exactly how to clean those tiny baby teeth. Once they grow a little bigger, you’ll then be able to switch to a small headed brush with soft bristles.
There are a lot of ways you can make the practice of brushing far more engaging for your little one and by extension the whole family. Try putting on a song and setting a timer for two minutes to combine your brushing time with the ultimate dance party!
USE A FLUORIDE-BASED TOOTHPASTE
Fluoride is an abundant and naturally-occuring mineral found in things like our tap water – and it’s great for promoting healthy teeth! How exactly?
Well it helps to make the outer layer of your teeth (your tooth enamel) more resistant to acid attacks that cause tooth decay and helps to repair weak spots in the teeth before they become cavities! You can learn more about fluoride on our blog here: A parents quick guide to fluoride.
One your child reaches 18 months, your paediatric dentist may recommend they start using a low-fluoride toothpaste. As they grow, they’ll likely switch to a paste that has a higher concentration of fluoride to better protect their adult teeth.
Of course some children are more at risk of decay than others, and as such your family dentist should be consulted before making any changes to their toothpaste.
FLOSS, FLOSS, FLOSS
We can’t rely solely on brushing to properly foster healthy teeth and gums – we also need to floss!
When you don’t floss you’re missing nearly half of the surface area of your teeth – this is backed up by the Australian Dental Association. That’s because a toothbrush can’t get between the teeth or under the gumline like floss can.
Flossing daily is essential to remove plaque from these hard to reach places, especially because if we let buildup happen we’re more at risk for tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.
We recommend getting your child into the habit of flossing once a day from a very young age so that they feel comfortable maintaining that as part of their oral hygiene routine once they hit adulthood.
HEALTHY TEETH NEED WATER
We don’t think water gets enough credit for everything it does to keep our smiles sparkling, especially when it has to compete with supermarkets full of unhealthy alternatives.
Soft drinks, fruit juices and cordials are a popular choice among kids, but it’s important to remember these drinks are highly acidic and packed full of sugar – meaning they can do a lot of damage to healthy teeth.
Water on the other hand cleans your mouth with every single sip! Not only does it wash away leftover residue and food that cavity-causing bacteria thrives on, but it also dilutes the acid produced by that bacteria in your mouth.
Encouraging your child to drink water consistently throughout the day will ensure they provide the best protection for their teeth and stay hydrated so that their body can continue functioning properly.
EAT A WELL-BALANCED DIET
Our overall health and wellbeing are connected a lot to the foods we eat, and our diet can particularly impact the state of our teeth.
We know for instance limiting sugar is best for our child’s dental development, but making sure they’re also getting a nutrient-rich diet is vital for promoting healthy teeth and gums. That means having a good balance of vegetables, fruits, proteins, grains and dairy.
If your child is going to have a sugary treat, have them eat it at the same time as a main meal instead of letting them snack throughout the day. Then make sure they wash everything down with a big glass of water!
For healthier snack alternatives try:
- Cheese cubes and apple slices
- Carrot sticks with hummus
- Hard-boiled eggs
SCHEDULE ROUTINE DENTAL VISITS
Finally, one of the very best things you can do to encourage healthy teeth for life is to keep on top of your routine dental visits.
Regular check-ups and a professional clean will help to prevent the onset of any major dental issues and help us to stay on top of any pre-existing conditions.
Your child’s dentist will always discuss with you what your appointment schedule should look like. While it’s common to book a visit every six months, at Macarthur Paediatric Dentistry we make sure to take into consideration the risk factors for each patient. That’s why some will come and see us every three months, while others will only come once a year.
It’s not difficult to maintain healthy teeth as long as you start these good habits early on in your kid’s life.
If your child is almost due for their next check up, you can make a booking by calling us
on (02) 9188-0202 or going online here.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics and to help begin the conversation with your children’s dentist. It should not be used as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care professional prior to incorporating this as part of your child’s diet or health regimen.