How to teach your child good oral hygiene

Teaching healthy habits is much more about what we do than what we say. Children will closely observe their parents’ behavior and other important adults in their lives as they learn and form their own behaviors and habits. In other words, it is important that parents practice what they preach when it comes to maintaining good oral hygiene.

It can be difficult for children to understand the importance of taking good care of their teeth and gums and how it can impact their overall health. Fortunately, there are ways to engage kids using age appropriate activities to help them understand just how vital oral hygiene is. 

Here are a few strategies you may want to try: 

·         Give kids choices. Let them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste, providing that they’re age appropriate. Before the age of two fluoride-free toothpaste is recommended.  From the age of two on it’s best to use an ADA approved brand containing fluoride. Characters on toothbrushes or a superhero on the tube of toothpaste might encourage them to stick to their brushing routine.

·         Show them how it’s done. Let them see you brush your teeth in the morning and evening. If the message is not resonating consider showing them some fun YouTube videos. Watching what a peer is doing is often more relatable and considered a lot “cooler” than mom or dad!

·         Invest in technology. If the novelty of a manual toothbrush wears off, consider purchasing an electric toothbrush. If you have more than one child, you can save money by purchasing one and then buying individual heads for each child. Turn brushing into fun-time using this new “toy” to do the job. For younger kids consider a less expensive option—adding a fun faucet fountain like a whale or dolphin to make it more entertaining.

·        Turn tooth brushing time into story time. If you are creative you can make up a story where all the bad guys have brown, ugly teeth. Otherwise, there are a number of great books to read aloud, like Open Wide by Laurie Keller or The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss.

There are many factors that help children learn how to take good care of their teeth and maintain a healthy smile. Beyond modeling good habits, the other most important thing a parent can do is book regular checkups and limit sugar intake. If a dental emergency should occur, contact your dentist immediately.

How does pregnancy affect your oral health?

Pregnancy presents a unique set of challenges affecting oral health. If you are considering getting pregnant, we highly recommend seeing your dentist for a teeth cleaning and exam in advance. However, if you are already pregnant, the second trimester is the best time to receive routine dental care, but you should wait until after the baby is born to have any major procedures or oral surgeries.

It is important to take good care of your teeth and gums while pregnant as the hormonal changes increase the risk of developing gum disease due to the body’s response to plaque. Pregnancy does not automatically damage your teeth; that is an old wives tale, but there are some common causes of dental health issues that frequently occur during pregnancy:

• Gum problems (gingivitis and/or periodontal disease) 

•  Vomiting

• Cravings for sugary foods and sodas

• Retching while brushing

Practicing good oral hygiene habits is extremely important during pregnancy.

• Continue to brush twice daily and floss

• Eat a well-balanced diet

• Try drinking water infused with fruits, like lemon and strawberry instead of drinking sugary sodas

• Eat foods rich in vitamin C and B12 and increase your calcium intake.

Calcium lowers your risk of osteoporosis and also promotes strong teeth during pregnancy. If you are suffering from morning sickness you may want to carry a toothbrush in your purse as you will need to brush more often to avoid a greater build-up of plaque, but don’t brush immediately. If brushing causes morning sickness, rinse with anti-plaque and fluoride mouthwashes. Also, pay close attention to your gum line and keep it clean.

If you experience a dental emergency during pregnancy consult your dentist and physician to determine the best approach for treatment. Artistic Dental is committed to helping you keep your beautiful smile so you can share it with your baby.

Get a Brighter Smile with Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is not just about the aesthetics. Having a brighter, whiter smile can do wonders for self-confidence, and mental wellbeing is shown to have a positive impact on physical health. Teeth whitening can also help turn back the years, especially for caffeine lovers and cigarette smokers.  

While there are a variety of over the counter products that can be used (such as whitening toothpastes, bleaching agents and strips), whitening treatments carried out under the supervision of a dental professional will ensure optimum results and safety. 

Artistic Dental offers its patients technologically advanced techniques in teeth whitening to help achieve a brighter smile. These techniques will lighten the color of your teeth, regardless of what stained them in the first place. There are a number of treatments that patients can choose from to get that sparkling smile, but we highly recommend dentist-managed teeth bleaching trays for best results.

What are Dentist-Managed Teeth Bleaching Trays?

One of the safest and most effective ways to see great results in a matter of days is through dentist managed teeth bleaching trays. The process for this treatment will begin at the dentist’s office and you will continue the care from home. First, the doctor will begin by taking a mold of your mouth. They will then create the trays from these impressions. The trays are an exact replica of your teeth so the whitening agent is spread evenly when the trays are inserted into the mouth. These products are designed for daily use and each treatment takes approximately an hour. After the first five days you will see visible results, but bleaching will only lighten your natural teeth, not fillings. We are big fans of the Opalescence To-Go Whitening Kit, a little goes a long way! If you experience any sensitivity from this method please report it to your dentist.

We are committed to helping our patients achieve outstanding results. Contact our office if you have any questions about teeth whitening or to schedule an appointment with our doctors to assess if you’re a good candidate for treatment.