Preventive Dentistry For Adults and Children

In the simplest form, preventative dentistry refers to the daily best practices of brushing, flossing, cleaning, and taking care of your dental health to prevent dental issues like cavities, tooth decay, gum diseases, brittle tooth enamel, tooth sensitivity, among others. The importance of oral health on general well-being can’t be ignored, and by taking appropriate measures, both adults and kids can enjoy healthy teeth and excellent mouth hygiene. Your dentist in sunshine coast can help you better understand the benefits of preventive dentistry and how it can significantly improve your dental health.

Preventative dental care can help to not only keep common dental problems at bay but also help reduce the risk of other health problems like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases that are linked with poor oral health in adults. Preventive dental services can benefit all, irrespective of age. Thus, let’s take a look at some of the preventive dental care tips for adults and kids.

A] Preventive Dental Care Tips For Adults

Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and where the intake of harmful foods is controlled. Oris Dental’s preventive dental care program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease. At the initial visit, oral hygiene instructions are reviewed and reinforced at subsequent recall visits.

The following are a few dental care tips for adults;

• Brush your teeth twice a day in a circular motion with a soft-bristled toothbrush aimed at the gum.
• Floss every night in an up-and-down motion while keeping the floss in a U-shape and against the tooth surface.
• Avoid smoking.
• Avoid sticky sugary foods.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Use antiseptic and fluoride rinses as directed.
• Have sealants placed on young permanent teeth.

B] Preventive Dental Care Tips For Children

Infants should be seen by our office after the first six months of age or at least by the child’s first birthday. By this time, the baby’s first teeth or primary teeth are beginning to erupt and it is a critical time to spot any problems before they become big concerns. By teaching the importance of dental care from early childhood, parents would be able to prevent conditions like gum irritation and thumb-sucking later on. Babies who suck their thumbs may be setting the stage for malformed teeth and bite relationships.

Another problem that can be spotted early is a condition called “baby bottle tooth decay,” which is caused by sugary substances in breast milk and some juices, which combine with saliva to form pools inside the baby’s mouth. If left untreated, this can lead to premature decay of your baby’s future primary teeth, which can later hamper the proper formation of permanent teeth.

One of the best ways to avoid baby bottle tooth decay is to not allow your baby to nurse on a bottle while going to sleep. Avoid dipping pacifiers in sweet substances such as honey, because this only encourages early decay in the baby’s mouth. Encouraging your young child to drink from a cup as early as possible will also help stave off the problems associated with baby bottle tooth decay.

1. Teething, Dummies and Thumb-Sucking

Teething is a sign that your child’s gums are sore. This is perfectly normal. You can help relieve this by allowing the baby to suck on a teething ring, or gently rubbing your baby’s gums with the back of a small spoon, a piece of wet gauze, or even your finger.

For babies under the age of 4, teething rings and pacifiers can be safely used to facilitate the child’s oral needs for relieving gum pain and for suckling. After the age of 4, pacifiers are generally discouraged because they may interfere with the development of your child’s teeth. Moreover, thumb-sucking should be strongly discouraged because it can lead to malformed teeth that become crooked and crowded.

2. Primary and Permanent Teeth

Every child grows 20 primary teeth, usually by the age of 3. These teeth are gradually replaced by the age of 12 or so with a full set of 28 permanent teeth, and later on, four molars called “wisdom teeth.”

A child’s primary teeth must be healthy, because their development sets the stage for permanent teeth. If primary teeth become diseased or do not grow in properly, chances are greater that their permanent replacements will suffer the same fate. For example, poorly formed primary teeth that don’t erupt properly could crowd out spaces reserved for other teeth. Space maintainers can sometimes be used to correct this condition, if it is spotted early enough.

3. Brushing

Another essential dental care practice, babies’ gums and teeth can be gently cleaned with special infant toothbrushes that fit over your finger. Water is suitable in lieu of toothpaste (because the baby may swallow the toothpaste). Parents are advised to avoid fluoride toothpastes on children under the age of 2.

Primary teeth can be cleansed with child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrushes. Remember to use small portions of toothpaste (a pea-sized portion is suitable), and teach your child to spit out, not swallow, the toothpaste when finished.

Read this guide: How to brush your teeth

4. Fluoride

Fluoride is generally present in most public drinking water systems. If you are unsure about your community’s water and its fluoride content, or learn that it has an unacceptable level of fluoride in it, there are fluoride supplements your dentist can prescribe. Your child may not be getting enough fluoride just by using fluoride toothpaste.

5. Toothaches

Toothaches can be common in young children. Sometimes, toothaches are caused by erupting teeth, but they also could indicate a serious problem.

Some of the toothache solutions that you can use to safely relieve a small child’s toothache without the aid of medication is rinsing the mouth with a solution of warm water and table salt. If the pain doesn’t subside, acetaminophen may be used. If such medications don’t help, contact your dentist immediately.

6. Injuries

You can help your child prevent oral injuries by closely supervising him during play and not allowing the child to put foreign objects in the mouth.

• For younger children involved in physical activities and sports, mouth guards are strongly encouraged and can prevent a whole host of injuries to the teeth, gums, lips and other oral structures. Mouthguards are generally small plastic appliances that safely fit around your child’s teeth. Many mouthguards are soft and pliable when opened, and mould to the child’s teeth when first inserted.
• For dental emergencies, like if the tooth has been knocked out, try to place the tooth back in its socket while waiting to see our office. Remember to hold the dislocated tooth by the crown—not the root. If you cannot relocate the tooth, place it in a container of cold milk, saline or the victim’s own saliva. Place the tooth in the solution. First, rinse the mouth of any blood or other debris and place a cold cloth or compress on the cheek near the injury. This will keep the swelling down.
• For a fractured tooth, it is best to rinse with warm water and again, apply a cold pack or compress. Ibuprofen may be used to help keep down swelling. If the tooth fracture is minor, the tooth can be sanded or if necessary, restored by the dentist if the pulp is not severely damaged.
• If a child’s primary tooth has been loosened by an injury or an emerging permanent tooth, try getting the child to gently bite down on an apple or piece of caramel; in some cases, the tooth will easily separate from the gum.

Irritation caused by retainers or braces can sometimes be relieved by placing a tiny piece of cotton or gauze on the tip of the wire or other protruding object. If an injury occurs from a piece of the retainer or braces lodging into a soft tissue, contact our office immediately and avoid dislodging it yourself.

7. Sealants

Sealants fill in the little ridges on the chewing part of your teeth to protect and seal the tooth from food and plaque. The application is easy to apply and typically last for several years.

To sum up;

Preventive dentistry can help you save a lot of money in the future on serious dental issues. General and oral health are correlated and if you want yourself and your kids to have healthy teeth, then practising the preventive dental care tips mentioned here is important. Contact us to book an appointment and learn more about preventive dental care.