For most kids, holidays mean lots of junk food and candy. While we want our children to enjoy the holiday season, we also want to keep their teeth healthy. Here are a few tips from Colgate to help maintain your children’s oral health despite increased sugar intake.
Cavities are common in childhood, but they can be prevented with regular brushing and flossing. The type of food you offer your children also plays a vital role in their oral health, which directly impacts their overall well-being.
7 Child Dental Care Tips For Healthy Teeth And Gums
Our teeth help us eat, talk, and smile, which is a regular activity in a person’s life. Teach your child good dental habits for a brighter and shinier smile.
During holidays, kids do not want to eat homemade food. Instead, they binge eat unhealthy and processed food that is good in taste but affects their oral health, leading to cavities, tooth decay, and toothache.
Regular teeth cleaning habits are essential for maintaining a child’s oral health. Follow these child dental care tips and help to make your kid’s teeth healthy and decay-free.
Brush Your Kids Teeth Twice A Day With Fluoride Toothpaste
Start with cleaning your kid’s teeth even if all of their teeth are not fully developed or if they are under 1 year of age. Take a clean cloth and clean their teeth and gums.
Use a small and soft bristles brush, and clean their mouth thoroughly with water at least 2 times a day.
But if your child is one year old, then you must regularly brush their teeth at least 2 times a day. First when they wake up and second at night before going to bed.
Use Pea-Sized Amount Of Toothpaste
The type and amount of toothpaste that you use for your kid also matters the most.
Dentists recommend taking a small, pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for kids 3 – 6 years of age.
And make sure they do not swallow toothpaste. Excessive toothpaste (including fluoride) intake can lead to fluorosis, a cosmetic defect in tooth enamel.
Help Your Child Brush Their Teeth Properly
You must help and teach your child how to brush their teeth properly. Soft brush their teeth with a small toothbrush that is soft and avoid using hard bristles that can damage their gums.
Show your child the correct way to brush their teeth, and gently use the brush in circular motions, brushing all sides of each tooth.
Pay extra attention to the back of the teeth where cavities usually form, and brush for at least two minutes.
Limit Sugary Drinks And Foods
Avoid binge eating on sugary drinks and food. Sugar consumption in excess is a major contributor to kids’ teeth cavity and tooth decay. Encourage healthy habits by limiting sugary foods and drinks.
Avoid offering sugary snacks and drinks; instead, opt for healthy snack options like fruits, whole-grain alternatives, and homemade foods.
Encourage your Child To Have Fruits And Vegetables
Encourage your child to have more fruits and vegetables whenever they feel hungry, and do not give highly processed or unhealthy foods like pizza, burgers, soft drinks, and chocolates.
Snacking on unhealthy food leads to cavities and toothache in early childhood, which disturbs a child’s daily activities.
Give Them Protein And Calcium Rich Foods
Give them calcium-rich diets containing yogurt, broccoli, and milk, as well as protein-rich foods like lean meats (Turkey), chicken, and white fish, which are a good source of protein.
Having a calcium and protein-rich diet helps to make kids’ teeth stronger and shinier.
Take Your Child To The Dentist For Regular Checkups
According to the American Academy Of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), every parent should take their child to the dentist by their first birthday or when their first tooth appears, which comes first.
The dentist may examine the teeth, gums, jaw, bite, and oral tissues, he may clean the teeth, plaque or stains on the teeth. The dentist may show you or teach your child how to clean their teeth daily.
Top 4 Child Dental Care Benefits
Good oral hygiene with these child dental care tips helps in developing healthier teeth and prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Here are the Top 5 child dental care benefits that impact your child’s overall health –
Prevents Tooth decay
Healthy oral care habits and dental checkups can help a child avoid tooth decay and the pain that comes with it. A dentist will identify tooth decay through oral examination and X-rays.
The timely treatment and recovery of cavities typically ensures less invasive treatments, which prevents the need for filling or extractions.
Avoid Kids Teeth Cavity
Cavities are one of the most common oral problems in children and toddlers, and they can develop in your child’s primary teeth.
Regular oral care and brushing can prevent kids’ teeth cavity that can be painful, causing discomfort.
Gum disease
It is also known as periodontal disease, which is usually caused by plaque formation, a sticky layer (bacteria) that forms on the teeth and gums. This usually happens when a child avoids or does not properly brush their teeth on a regular basis.
Improved self-esteem
Having healthy gum and white teeth helps you smile brighter without hesitation, which improves a child’s self-esteem and boosts confidence.
Key Takeaways
Keeping your child’s teeth healthy is not a complicated task, with just a little guidance and best child dental care tips, you can teach them healthy habits that can help them have a lifetime of smile.
Encourage them to have a healthy diet, including fruits and vegetables, and make water their go-to drink for your kid’s teeth health.
By following these simple ways to keep your teeth healthy, you can ensure your child’s teeth stay strong and beautiful for years to come. And if you want to get expert advice from the best pediatric dentists, Dacula Dental is here to help.
We have a team of experienced and professional dentists who can help you treat your kids with the utmost care and expertise. Book an appointment now to know more.
A Healthier And A Brighter Smile Awaits You
Everyone has bad breath from time to time. In fact, for one in four adults in the UK, it’s a regular problem. You can avoid the shame and embarrassment of bad breath.
Knowing what stale breath is, its causes, and how to treat it before it turns into halitosis (a condition that causes bad breath) is important to ensure that your friends and colleagues aren’t kept at bay.
But what if you don’t even know you have a problem with smelly breath? Knowing the signs of foul-smelling breath (an unpleasant odor in the mouth), its causes, and its treatment are all fairly straightforward.
6 Ways How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath Permanently
Bad breath typically originates from the mouth, where bacteria are ever-present. When you eat, the food particles get stuck in your teeth, where bacteria grow, releasing foul-smelling sulfur compounds.
Proper Oral Hygiene is the best way to keep your mouth and teeth clean and have a fresh breath. Here are some of the best ways how to get rid of smelly breath permanently using oral care tips at home.
Brush Regularly For At Least Two Minutes
To combat unpleasant breath, it is crucial to brush your teeth regularly, at least two times a day, for healthy teeth and gums and to prevent oral odor.
Brush properly all the surfaces of your teeth for up to two minutes, especially the back of the teeth where cavities form, to have a clean and fresh-smelling breath.
Do not forget to brush your teeth early in the morning and at night before going to bed.
Some people find brushing necessary after every meal to prevent bad breath and tooth decay. To prevent bacteria from growing on food stuck in your teeth, you must floss at least once per day.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
The type and amount of toothpaste that you use for your kid also matters the most. Choose fluoride toothpaste that helps maintain clean and healthy teeth and gums.
It also leads to fresh breath, fights against odor-causing bacteria, and leaves you with a minty, clean feeling.
Floss At Least Once A Day
Flossing isn’t done just for dislodging food wedged between your teeth.
Regular flossing also reduces gum disease and prevents bad breath by removing plaque.
It’s best to floss before brushing your teeth.
Use Tongue Cleaner To Clean Your Tongue
Are you confused about where the bad breath comes from?
It’s probably your unclean tongue that smells, and it doesn’t matter how talkative you are, you must clean your teeth on a regular basis to have a fresh breath.
Plaque occurs not only on the teeth and crevices but also on the tongue, which over time causes a major foul breath if you do not brush correctly.
Use Mouthwash And Sugar-Free Chewing Gums
Using a mouthwash containing fluoride can help to prevent tooth decay, but avoid using mouthwash (with fluoride) immediately after brushing your teeth.
Choose a different time to use mouthwash, probably after lunch, and avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after using a fluoride mouthwash. And use sugar-free chewing gums to prevent bad breath.
Get Regular Dental Checkups And Cleanings
Even the most dutiful flossers and brushes consult a doctor for oral care. You should see your dentist for cleaning and checkups from time to time and at least twice a year.
Not only will a dentist remove calculus and look for cavities, but they will also spot the potential cause of other upcoming issues and offer treatment solutions to prevent and stop any dental problems.
What To Do If Your Mouth Smells Bad Even After Brushing
If you wonder why my mouth smells bad even after brushing, then here are some of the main causes of breath odor that you may not be aware of.
To have a clean and freshly smelling breath, you must avoid these habits –
Quit Smoking
Smoking can cause dry mouth which causes bad breath and also increases the risk of gum disease. Untreated gum disease can damage gum tissues and can lead to loss of teeth and bones around your teeth.
Avoid Alcohol, Tobacco, And Caffeine
If you have a bad taste in your mouth, you most probably have a bad odor that other people can smell. Avoid drinking alcohol, using tobacco products, and excessive caffeine intake to avoid bad breath.
Chew Fresh Parsley Leaves After Meals
Avoid foods that causes nasty breath, such as onions and garlic, may also help to prevent bad odour. Parsley is a popularly known remedy for treating bad breath. Studies have shown that parsley can effectively combat foul sulfur compounds.
Tablets To Stop Bad Breath
Bad breath may be caused due to poor oral hygiene, but this isn’t always the case, and you may be having it due to certain health conditions.
Halitosis
Halitosis is a very common and widespread condition that affects one out of four people around the world. It causes symptoms like foul-smelling breath that doesn’t go away.
The odor of the breath can be strong enough for people to notice. Bad breath can be caused due to a person’s poor oral hygiene, cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.
There are many tablets to stop offensive breath and a course of an antibiotic that is effective against bacteria (such as metronidazole) to reduce the overgrowth of sulfur-producing bacteria in the mouth.
Speak to your dentist to examine the cause of bad breath (Halitosis) and get the most effective treatment for you.
Key Takeaways
Now that you know how to get rid of bad breath permanently, you must start and maintain proper oral hygiene to prevent bad odor and have a fresh breath throughout the day.
By following these simple ways how to get rid of bad breath fast to keep your teeth healthy and odor-free, you can ensure that your teeth stay strong and beautiful for years to come. And if you want to get expert advice from the best pediatric dentists, Dacula Dental is here to help.
We have a team of experienced and professional dentists who can help you treat Halitosis (bad breath) with the utmost care and expertise. Book an appointment now to know more.
Oral Hygiene, A Habit That Pays Off
Tooth extraction can be a horrible feeling and the worst nightmare for most people. If your dentist advises you to do a tooth extraction, it means your tooth either cannot be saved by any dental treatment or will be harmful to your oral health if it remains in place or is not extracted immediately.
Even with proper oral and dental care, your tooth age may decay or break. In several cases, it can be repaired with fillings and crowns. But, if the damage or decay is excessive, the tooth should immediately be removed.
What Are The Risks Of Tooth Extractions
There are few risks associated with undergoing tooth extractions, but if it is recommended by your dentist, then it is necessary, and its benefits can likely outweigh the chances of complications.
Usually, after a tooth extraction, a blood clot is formed in the socket or the bone from where the tooth is extracted. But, if the blood clot is not formed, the socket will be left exposed, referred to as a dry socket.
However, if it happens, the dentist will protect it by putting a sedative dressing over it for a few days.
Other risks associated with tooth extraction are –
- Bleeding that lasts for up to or longer than 12 hours
- Severe chills or fever causing infection
- Nausea, vomiting, or cough
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling and redness at the surgical part
Dentists Can Extract Teeth Without Cutting
Tooth extraction is a process of removal of a tooth from its socket. A dentist performs it, usually under local anesthesia. It is a common tooth extraction procedure that is only done when necessary.
Your dentist can extract all teeth without cutting if the tooth damage or decay is not severe and you decide to contact a dentist before worsening it.
A dentist can decide whether he can extract teeth without cutting or if a surgical tooth extraction procedure is required based on several factors, like age and the condition of the teeth and their surrounding tissues.
Some individuals can handle tooth extractions without any issues, while some may experience symptoms like swelling in the face or pain in the jaw joint area after the procedure.
Why Tooth Extraction Is Done
Tooth extraction may not seem complicated, but it should be done by a professional or by visiting an oral surgeon. Some of the most common reasons for tooth removal are –
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Impacted wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth are molars that come through last in the back of your mouth and are usually seen in your late teens or early 20s.
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Severe decay
A tooth decay that has progressed to the point of injection, abscess formation, or loss of a large portion of the tooth.
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Serious broken or fractured teeth
A tooth that has cracked or broken exposes the nerve inside the tooth and causes significant pain that usually requires immediate dental attention.
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The tooth or molar broke
A break at the gumline can expose sensitive nerves, leading to mild pain, potential infection, and it can cause many serious complications if not treated properly.
Simple Extraction
It is a dental procedure in which a dentist removes a visible tooth that’s not cracked or under the gumline or extract all teeth. Dentists prefer simple tooth extraction when a tooth is above the gumline and can be removed by your dentist.
Generally, dentists carry out this procedure using a local anesthetic to numb the affected part and reduce the pain experienced by the patients.
There are certain instruments used to elevate the affected tooth and grasp the visible portion, such as an elevator and dental forceps, to elevate the affected part as needed. The elevator is used to loosen the tooth and forceps to grasp the tooth for extraction.
The tooth is moved back and forth in order to break the periodontal ligament and loosen the tooth from the alveolar bone to make it easily removable. It requires the application of a controlled force on the tooth with steady pressure with the help of dental forceps.
Surgical Extractions
If your dentist needs to remove the gum tissue or bone to extract teeth, then you need surgical extraction. With today’s technology and dental teeth whitening advancement, it can be easily performed with comfort and safety.
There are several reasons why your dentist may recommend you to undergo a surgical tooth extraction. The most common reason is an impacted tooth, which is stuck beneath the gum line and is not visible.
You may need surgical extraction if your tooth is severely damaged or decayed, and it can’t be saved through other dental care or treatments or cannot be removed with simple procedures.
Surgical tooth extraction may also be necessary if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment and need tooth removal to make room for other teeth.
Post Operative Instructions
After tooth extraction, blood clot formation is important to reduce and stop the bleeding and start the healing process. That’s why dentists advise you to bite on a gauze pad for up to 45 minutes after the surgery.
If the bleeding persists, you must insert another gauze pad and bite for 30 minutes more. You may have to do this several times until the bleeding persists.
- Do not wash your mouth or spit for 24 hours
- Keep your fingers and tongue away from the socket (avoid licking)
- Use an ice pad on the surgical area
- Use prescribed medication to reduce severe pain
- Drink enough fluids, but avoid using straws
- Do not smoke for at least 5 days after surgery
- Avoid any physical activity and do not exercise
- Use warm salt water to wash your mouth after meals
- Include soft foods that are easily swallowed and cool drinks in your diet
Key Takeaways
Although you can experience pain with tooth extraction, whether it is simple (extract teeth without cutting) or surgical tooth extraction, your dentist can eliminate that pain with local anesthesia and medications during the extraction.
Everybody heals from tooth extraction pain at a different rate, and most people will experience tenderness in the area that lasts only for a few days.
Oral Care, The Key To A Healthy Smile
Reference Site-
Oral Surgery, Extraction of Teeth June 1, 2023. [NIH]