Oral Hygiene
Oral Hygiene
Just because you have white teeth does not mean you have a healthy mouth.
Let us help treat any issues you have but, more importantly, teach you how to maintain your oral health at home. Regular family dental check-ups are vital to ensure you are on the right track with your teeth and oral care.
Babies
Therefore it is never too early to start looking after the gums and teeth, a regular oral hygiene routine should start as a baby. Even before the baby teeth come through, roughly at the age of 6 months, a routine should be applied to ensure healthy gums. This can be done with gentle rubbing with a soft, clean cloth twice a day. Once the teeth arrive, you can gently brush them with a children’s toothpaste applied at the age of around 18 months. Once all the teeth are in place from the age of 3 years a routine can begin that includes flossing – it is not just for adults! Chat to us for more information and book your baby’s first visit from the age of 3 years.
Toddlers
Getting your toddler into an early routine is key. The earlier they understand the importance of looking after their teeth the better. We know it is often not easy to do but making the experience of brushing “fun” can make a huge difference. Examples may include using music, a song or age appropriate knowledge-building activities to create a regular fun tooth-brushing experience. We need to ensure they are brushing the right way and for the right amount of time, therefore we suggest you supervise them until the age of 8 to 10 years.
Teenagers
Hopefully by the teenage years, good oral routines are already in place and the teeth are doing well. It is a time when orthodontics might be required but we can guide you and your child through that process. Orthodontics do make oral hygiene practices more difficult, however we will make the whole process as simple as possible. Flossing twice daily and extended brushing with a soft toothbrush become even more essential to avoid unnecessary tooth damage.
Adults
As adults, we are often busy and time poor, therefore, bad oral hygiene habits can creep in. However, dental decay and periodontal disease can seriously affect our overall health, with these conditions directly linked to some cardiovascular conditions and pre-term, low birth weight babies. So, whatever your age, flossing and brushing twice daily with a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste is very important. You should visit the dentist every six months so we can monitor your mouth health and provide advice and treatment before things get bad.
If used properly, both options are good but electric toothbrushes are better for removing food and plaque and are kinder to teeth and gums. They are also a fun way to get kids interested in brushing their teeth!
Soft bristle toothbrushes do less damage to the tooth and gum surface. Use a gentle, circular brushing technique, along with flossing for the best results in removing plaque.
Twice a day! I know many of us find it a chore to floss that amount but plaque accumulation between our teeth cannot be removed any other way. Gently slide the floss between each tooth (even those hard to reach back ones), moving down just below the gum line which loosens the plaque film. This can then be completely removed with brushing
No! Mouth rinse can be part of your oral hygiene routine but not a substitute for flossing. It does not remove the plaque between your teeth in the same way as flossing, which disrupts the plaque film and exposes the bacteria, making it easier to remove.
Every patient is different. We will discuss with you your oral health and your specific needs. If your teeth are well maintained and in great health, then you will not need the same level of cleaning.
This is like a good spring clean on your teeth where bacteria, tarter and other debris that has built up under the gum line can be effectively removed
Yes. Good oral hygiene habits at home and regular dental visits are essential in taking care of your oral health and overall wellbeing. It also assists with early detection and prevention of gum related issues, including Gingivitis. Gingivitis is the initial phase of gum disease and results in red bleeding gums when brushed and flossed; it is reversible with good oral hygiene and dental treatment.
Yes. There can be other reasons to have bad breath, but if you have gum disease, you will have bad breath.
These are a non-invasive method to protect teeth which may be prone to cavity formation. This can be due to poor enamel quality or deep grooves on teeth. We will discuss with you the options available.
Yes. Babies can also grow teeth that are too close to one another and cause plaque accumulation, which can lead to cavities. Early flossing creates good habits throughout life.
Children’s dental care helps your child develop good oral habits from an early age. We recommend that children begin visiting the dentist at the age of 3 years.
Oral hygiene is just as important for children as it is for adults and to get them into good habits they should visit every six months. It also lets us monitor the health of their teeth as they grow.
We know it can be quite daunting for a child’s first visit (and quite stressful for the parent!) so will make you and your child feel as welcome and relaxed as possible. We will gently have a look at your child’s teeth to ensure everything is healthy, without causing any undue stress. We are very used to children and so will make it as fun as possible for them. We are also happy to answer any specific questions you may have.
