Steps to Healthy Teeth and Gums
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy involves thorough brushing and flossing every day, seeing your dentist regularly, and controlling your sugar intake. Fluoride and sealants may also play a part, especially for children.
You should brush your teeth properly at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. It is very important to brush and floss before going to bed to remove food and bacteria. A lot of decay-causing activity can happen while you sleep. Ideal dental care includes brushing after every meal and all snacks. If you can't brush after snacking, rinse your mouth with water. Teaching good oral hygiene habits to children early will help them develop good lifelong habits.
Visit a dentist regularly and have an exam and cleaning as often as the dentist recommends - usually twice a year. Regular checkups help prevent tooth decay and makes sure that problems are treated as soon as possible.
Sugar has long been known to promote tooth decay. Sweets eaten between meals do more harm than those eaten during a meal. Having sugary snacks or drinks throughout the day allows bacteria to produce a constant supply of decay-causing acid on the teeth. Starchy foods such as bread and crackers also cause acid to form. Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water within 20 minutes of eating sweet or starchy foods. Babies should not be put to bed with a bottle of milk or juice because doing so puts them at risk for tooth decay.
When it comes into direct contact with teeth, fluoride appears to fight cavities. Most people in North America live in areas where drinking water supplies contain fluoride, a practice also widely believed to prevent tooth decay. Use of fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses may add protection. For children between 2 and 6 years of age, use only a pea-sized dab of fluoridated toothpaste. Try not to let children swallow the toothpaste. Dentists may give children a fluoride treatment as part of regular check-ups. Plastic coatings, called sealants, may be applied. Sealants protect the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These teeth have deep grooves that brushing cannot clean.
Snacking and Dental Health
Snacking is part of our lives. Children need to eat snacks throughout the day, as they are active and need more food to grow. It can be hard to find the "right" snack choices. Some snacks are not very healthy for teeth or growing bodies. Try keeping the tips below in mind when choosing snacks.
- Eat more whole grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables. Cheese is a very healthy snack for your teeth and body. Eating a piece of cheese may help protect your teeth against cavities.
- Don't eat too much of any one thing. Go easy on the sticky sweets, fats, and salt.
- Remember that the names of some foods sound healthy but really aren't. For example, watch for "fruit" snacks or drinks that hardly have any fruit in them but do have lots of sugar.
- Brush at least twice a day to remove plaque. Use only a pea-size amount of toothpaste on your brush.
- Floss once a day. Flossing cleans between the teeth where brushing cannot reach.
- Replace toothbrushes when the bristles are bent.
- Help children brush and floss their teeth. When children can write (not print) their names, they are old enough to do a good job of brushing and flossing.
- Protect your teeth. Wear a helmet and a mouth guard when playing sports.
- See your dentist at least once a year.
- Ask your dentist about sealants.
