| Fluoride Varnish or Sealants |
Fluoride is a natural mineral that has been proven to strengthen teeth and prevent the incidence of tooth decay. The American Dental Association recommends fluoride treatment for children as soon as teeth emerge. This simple preventive measure of applying a fluoride varnish to a child's first teeth can strengthen teeth at risk for decay and create a tooth surface that is more resistant to decay.
Applying a fluoride varnish protects a child's primary (first) teeth from decay. Fluoride is applied twice a year from ages one to six or seven when the child gets their permanent teeth. Fluoride varnish works by repairing gaps in the tooth enamel, protecting teeth from plaque forming bacteria that likes to colonize in small pits and gaps.
Fluoride is easily applied to teeth. It dries almost immediately upon contact with clean dry teeth and will not be removed by saliva. The procedure is quick, painless, and often included in dental insurance coverage, but you will want to check with your provider to be certain.
Once children have their permanent teeth, dental sealants may be applied for the protection of the back teeth or molars. Sealants are a thin plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth (usually the back teeth) to prevent tooth decay. Most children get their first molars between the ages of five and seven and their second (permanent) molars around the ages of 11-14 which is an appropriate time to apply sealants.
Using both fluoride varnishes on your child's primary teeth and sealants on the chewing surfaces of your child's permanent teeth are effective ways to help prevent or slow down tooth decay.
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| Sleep On It
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Nighttime oral hygiene is extremely important. While you sleep, your mouth produces less saliva. Saliva is the body's natural defense against cavity-causing bacteria. With less saliva, bacteria in your mouth increases as does your risk for cavities and bad breath.
To keep bacteria from growing as you sleep, you will want to make sure that you brush, floss, and use mouthwash before going to bed so there is nothing in your mouth for bacteria to feed on as you sleep. Flossing between teeth and underneath the gum line is especially important. Flossing helps remove food particles that are stuck or that toothbrushes are unable to reach and that bacteria need to feed on. Following up with mouthwash further helps to dislodge any remaining particles.
If you happen to be up in the middle of the night, grab a glass of water and give a quick rinse to help rid your mouth of bacteria that might be forming and sleep well knowing that you have given your teeth the best nighttime oral care.
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| Hype Up the Clean |
Brushing and flossing teeth daily is the bare minimum for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. But is the bare minimum really enough for your pearly whites? Consider adding the following tips to your dental hygiene routine and give your oral hygiene routine a boost.
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Use Mouthwash- it helps remove stains, fights bad breath, and kills cavity-causing bacteria.
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Go Crunchy- raw carrots, apples, celery, and popcorn are excellent natural teeth cleaners that clean as you crunch.
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Time For a Change- change your toothbrush every two months and alternate styles when you do for different cleaning coverage, or consider having two different styles of toothbrushes on hand daily and alternate use.
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Watch Your Tongue- a breeding ground for bacteria, brushing helps, but a tongue scraper allows your to reach further back and remove harmful bacteria. |
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