Dental Care Tips for the Whole Family

Some general habits that will help your teeth stay healthy include:

1. Brushing: brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. This helps prevent decay, gum disease and bad breath. The best times to brush are after breakfast and before bedtime, for two minutes. Spend 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth.

The quality of the brush and bristles are important too. You’ll get better results from an electric toothbrush. And remember to change your toothbrush (or the head on your electric brush) every three months. This keeps the bristles fresh and not splayed.

1. Don’t rinse! Lots of people rinse their mouth after brushing but this washes away the fluoride. So just spit out the toothpaste and give the fluoride more time to work.
2. Floss daily: if you floss once a day, you will keep on top of the tiny deposits of food that can get stuck between your teeth, causing plaque build-up. Make sure you have the right type of floss or tape for your teeth, or use interdental brushes that come in several sizes.
3. Visit your dentist regularly: we’re not just saying this because we want your custom! Pay us a visit every six months to keep on top of your dental health. And don’t forget hygienist visits too.
4. Eat well: avoid sugary snacks, or at least keep them to straight after mealtimes.

Dental care tips for toddlers and preschool children (ages 1-5)

• Teething: babies can start teething at 4 months onwards. Look out for signs including  red cheeks, swollen gums, lots of mouthing on hard things and excess saliva. There are many aids available to help ease teething pain, including gum gels and soothing teething devices that can be cooled. Not all babies suffer but be prepared!
• Brushing: as soon as the first teeth appear, introduce your baby to  brushing. You’ll need a special soft bristled toothbrush and a tiny amount of age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste. If you can make brushing fun, your baby will hopefully be happy to let you brush so you can build a healthy brushing habit.
• Baby bottles: if a baby has lengthy access to sugary drinks in their bottle, like milk or juice, this can lead to tooth decay because the sugary drink is in constant contact with the teeth. Try to wean off bottle drinking as well as sugary drinks. And don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle. Building a water habit is the best thing you can do!
• First dentist visit: try and book a dentist appointment for your baby around the age of 1 and they’ll soon get used to the experience.

Dental care tips for school-age children (ages 6-12)

• Brushing and flossing: children need to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly. They will probably need help with this, especially the flossing, until they’re happy doing it themselves.
• Watch the sugar: limit sugary snacks and drinks to prevent cavities and decay. Those first teeth are soft and although a second set of teeth will grow, encouraging good habits early will have long term benefits. Fruit and crunchy raw vegetables make a great alternative snack.
• Regular check-ups: visiting the dentist regularly will help you keep on top of your child’s dental health, including potential crowding and the need for braces or orthodontic treatment.

Dental care tips for teenagers (ages 13-19)

• Diet and lifestyle: just like with younger children, sugary drinks and snacks have a detrimental effect on teeth – and now our teens have their adult teeth so they must look after them! There’s also the added risk of the impact of smoking or vaping. Always encourage water, healthy foods, less sugar and no smoking!
• Self-care and responsibility: you encourage your teens to take ownership of their personal care and hygiene, and their dental care is no exception. A good oral health routine will stay with them for life.
• Braces and oral hygiene: if they have braces, encourage meticulous brushing and flossing to prevent plaque buildup.
• Wisdom teeth: these start appearing in the late teens and can cause all kinds of disruption. Or none at all! Regular dentist visits mean you’ll both have an awareness of impending wisdom teeth and what, if any, affect they’ll have.
• Acne medication and oral health: some acne medications can affect oral health. Check with the prescribing GP and explain to your teen the connection between certain antibiotics and teeth, dry mouth or gum issues.

Dental care tips for adults (ages 20-50)

• Maintain oral health: no excuses now! You are solely in charge of your own oral health. Regular brushing and flossing are a must, and using mouthwash will help give fresher breath and better gum health.
• Gum disease prevention: be aware of signs of gum disease (gingivitis, periodontitis), such as swollen, sore gums, gums that bleed easily or an unpleasant taste in the mouth. If you notice any of these, visit your dentist – but regular check-ups will help keep all of these at bay and also nip them in the bud should they be showing signs. A good oral routine will help prevent gun disease too.
• Awareness of oral cancer:  this is the 6th most common cancer in the UK (you can read more about it here) and it’s on the increase. There are lots of symptoms, including ulcers that won’t heal, white or red patches in the mouth that don’t go away and difficulty swallowing or chewing – but any of these do not mean you have oral cancer. Regular check-ups will help keep oral cancer at bay and if you notice any changes to your oral health, always see your dentist.
• Fillings: we are more likely to need fillings as we get older because of the work our teeth have to do – and the access we have to convenient sugary and processed foods. Good dietary and dental habits will help keep prevent the need for fillings.
• Diet and lifestyle: alcohol and tobacco can both contribute to oral health problems, so moderation is key here.

Dental care tips for older adults (ages 60+)

• Denture care: taking good care of our dentures is as important as taking care of your teeth. Keep them thoroughly cleaned, handle them with care and make sure they fit perfectly. Keep up to date with regular dental visits for any necessary denture adjustments.
• Caring for your teeth: take good care of your natural teeth with good brushing, fluoride treatments and regular dental check-ups. Flossing and soft brushes will help.
• Gum health: the risk of receding gums increases as you get older so keep an eye on this and work hard on your gum health – your dentist will also let you know if you’re showing signs. Receding gums can lead to tooth loss so do remain vigilant.
• Oral cancer risk: the risk of oral cancer increases as we get older so be aware of symptoms and always consult your dentist if you’re concerned about any changes to your mouth.

Family dental care tips

• Practice good habits: our children copy and learn from us so set a good oral health care routine and they will follow.
• Make dental care fun: make a game of tooth brushing, have a toothbrushing song, or a musical toothbrush and the whole family will want to join in.
• Family dentist visits: sign up the whole family to the same dentist for ease and continuity of care.

Whatever your age or that of your family members, the most important things when it comes to maintaining good oral health is regular trips to your dentist. Any potential issues will be quickly spotted and hopefully prevented. We’re always happy to talk to you about any dental concerns or questions you may have, or how we can help your family start a good routine they’ll stick to whatever their age.