Basic Dental Care

Self-Care

Brush daily

Brush your teeth 2 times a day, and use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Follow these tips when you brush your teeth.

• Place the brush at a 45-degree angle45-degree angle where the teeth meet the gums.
• Press firmly, and gently rock the brush back and forth using small circular movements. Don't scrub. Vigorous brushing can make the gums pull away from the teeth and can scratch your tooth enamel.
• Brush all surfaces of the teeth. Make sure you get the inner, outer, and top sides of all your teeth.
• Consider brushing your tongue. Some people think it makes their mouth feel more fresh, but there is no evidence that it will help with bad breath.
• Use a fluoridefluoride toothpaste. Some fluoride toothpastes also offer tartar control, which may help slow the formation of hard mineral buildup (tartar) on the teeth.
• Use disclosing tabletsdisclosing tablets every now and then to see whether any plaque remains on the teeth. Disclosing tablets are chewable and will color any plaque left on the teeth after you brush. You can buy them at most drugstores.

Floss daily

Other ways to keep your teeth and mouth healthy

Developing good dental health habits is the best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Along with brushing and cleaning between or flossing your teeth every day, there are other things you can do to keep your teeth and mouth healthy.

• Eat a mouth-healthy diet.
  • Eat a variety of healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and lean protein foods. Good nutrition is important to maintaining healthy gums and avoiding tooth decay.
  • Avoid foods and drinks that contain a lot of sugar.
  • Try to avoid snacking between meals. If you do snack, try to pick something healthy, such as yogurt, fruit, or nuts.
• Avoid smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco and nicotine products. Using any tobacco or nicotine product makes it more likely that you will have mouth cancer or gum disease. Using these products can also delay healing after you have a tooth pulled or other surgery on your teeth or mouth. Using these products also causes bad breath and stains your teeth and tongue. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor.

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Caring for Your Child's Teeth and Gums

It's best to start good oral health habits before permanent teeth come in. Along with brushing and flossing teeth every day, here are some other important things you can do to care for your child's teeth and gums.

• Discuss your child's fluoride needs with your dentist or doctor. If your child needs extra fluoridefluoride, the dentist or doctor may recommend a supplement or a gel or varnish that they would apply to your child's teeth. Use supplements only as directed. And keep them out of reach of your child. Too much fluoride can be toxic and can stain a child's teeth.
• Talk with your dentist about having dental sealant placed on the molars, after your child's permanent teeth begin to appear. Dental sealants are made of hard plastic and protect the chewing surfaces of the back teeth from decay.
• Give your child nutritious foods to maintain healthy gums, develop strong teeth, and avoid tooth decay. Have your child eat a variety of healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and lean protein foods. Avoid foods and drinks that have a lot of sugar.
• Do not give your child mouthwashes that contain alcohol. If your child age 6 or older has cavities, ask the dentist if your child should try mouthwash that contains fluoride. But watch to make sure that your child doesn't swallow it.
• Keep your child away from secondhand smoke and the aerosol mist form vaping. They may contribute to the development of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health issues. As your child grows, teach them about the dangers of smoking, vaping, and secondhand smoke and aerosols.
• Learn how to prevent injuries to teeth and what to do in a dental emergency. Children play hard, sometimes hard enough to knock out or break a tooth.

Brushing and flossing

Here are some tips for children's dental care.

• Use a soft cloth to clean your baby's gums. Start a few days after birth, and do this until the first teeth come in.
• Start caring for your child's teeth as soon as you see the first baby (primary) tooth. Brush your child's teeth twice a day using a small, soft brush. If your child is younger than 3 years, ask your dentist if it's okay to use a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Use a pea-sized amount for children ages 3 to 6 years. Teach your child not to swallow the toothpaste.
• Start flossing your child's teeth as soon as they touch each other. You may find plastic flossing toolsplastic flossing tools helpful. Talk with your dentist about the right timing and technique to floss your child's teeth and how to teach your child to floss.
• Brush and floss your child's teeth for the first few years, until your child can do it alone. Your child can learn how to brush their teeth at about age 3. But you should help and check for proper cleaning. You don't need to supervise your child anymore when they spit toothpaste out instead of swallowing it and when they can tie their own shoes or write their own name. This may not be until age 8 or older.
• Encourage your child to watch you brush your teeth at a proper angleproper angle, so your child knows how to brush the right way. A good teaching method is to have your child brush their teeth in the morning and you brush your child's teeth at night until your child masters the skill.
• From time to time, you may want to use disclosing tablets. Disclosing tabletsDisclosing tablets are chewable tablets that color any plaque that remains after brushing. You can get these tablets at most drugstores.
• If your child age 6 or older has cavities, ask the dentist if your child should try mouthwash. Do not give your child a mouthwash that contains alcohol. The alcohol can be harmful if swallowed.

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