Tips From The School Nurse: Dental Hygiene
Healthy teeth help prevent bad breath, caries, and other dental problems. Dental hygiene is very important and good hygiene can help prevent dental problems. The three main things you have to do are: brush your teeth properly, floss your teeth, and visit your dentist every six months. It’s better to take care of your teeth rather than attend to it when a problem arises.
Brushing Teeth Properly
You should brush your teeth twice a day. A small pea-sized amount of toothpaste is enough for brushing your teeth. Use a soft round bristled toothbrush for smaller children. Brush in a circular motion instead of horizontal so that the brush would reach all areas of the teeth. Rinse the teeth properly with water to prevent the toothpaste from going into your body. A proper brushing would take around two minutes. Pay more attention to teeth at the back and the gum line.
Choosing the Right Toothpaste
There are different kinds of toothpastes available and it can be overwhelming to choose the right toothpaste. Fluoride is very important for the teeth so ensure that the toothpaste contains fluoride. Flavored toothpastes are available and it makes brushing fun for kids. Try to find toothpaste which is approved by the American Dental Association so you can be sure it’s safe for the teeth.
- Toothpastes: Crest explains the different kinds of toothpastes like Cavity Protection, Baking Soda & Peroxide Whitening, and more.
- Types of Toothpaste: Come here to learn about the different types of toothpaste.
- How Safe?: The article by Don Oldenburg explores the safety of toothpaste for children.
- Toothpaste History: Learn about how toothpaste came about.
Flossing Right
Flossing is very important as it reaches places where the toothbrush misses. Areas between the teeth and the gum line are often ignored. Flossing helps reach those areas and prevent decay. Take twelve inches of floss and wrap it around the middle finger of both hands with two to three inches in the middle. Using your thumb and index finger, hold the floss tightly and slide between each tooth. Make sure you don’t pull too much as it can hurt your gums. Also ensure that it reaches all areas of your teeth.
- FAQs: The page provides answers to many frequently asked questions about teeth health.
- Flossing Teeth: The article expounds the results of a study on the importance of flossing.
- Flossing of Teeth: The tutorial shows the right way to floss your teeth.
- Benefits: The article by Gregory F. George, D.D.S., explaining the benefits of teeth flossing.
Diseases of the Mouth
If you don’t take care of your teeth properly, it can lead to a number of diseases. Some dental diseases are cavities, decay, caries, plaque, tartar, gingivitis, periodontitis, sensitivity, and bad breath. The most common dental problems are bad breath and cavities. However, these problems can also be resolved easily.
- Mouth Diseases: An overview of various types of mouth diseases.
- Tooth Decay: Come here to learn all about tooth decay.
- Periodontitis: The page offers information on periodontitis covering the causes, symptoms, treatment, and more.
- Cavities: A look at dental health and cavities.
Dental Visits
Choose a dentist you are comfortable with and get a checkup done every six months. Dental visits help to maintain your teeth and prevent severe problems. A full history will be taken on your first visit. During each visit, your teeth will be cleaned and checked for any irregularities. If a problem is identified, the doctor may recommend an X-ray or any other test. You may need a follow-up visit for any problems. If not, an appointment can be made after six months.
- Dental Visits: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry discusses the importance of regular visits to the dentist.
- Early Preventive Dental Visits: The page outlines the importance of early dental visits to prevent teeth problems.
- Calendar: The site provides a calendar so parents know when to bring their children to the dentist.
- Do You Know Your Teeth?: A good place for kids to learn about their teeth.
Maintaining good dental health will serve you a long way. Make sure you brush and floss your teeth regularly, and visit the dentist once in every six months.