Smile Magazine
Healthy Teeth
Happy Your teeth vary in shape and size depending on where they are in your mouth. These differences allow the teeth to do many different jobs. Teeth help us to chew and digest food. They help us to talk, and to pronounce different sounds clearly. Finally, teeth help to give our face its shape. A healthy smile can be a great asset; and because this is so important, it makes sense to give your teeth the best care possible. How do I keep my teeth and gums healthy? It is easy to get your mouth clean and healthy and keep it that way. A simple routine can help prevent most dental problems: ♦ Brushing your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste. ♦ Cleaning between the teeth with a ‘inter dental’ brushes or floss at least once a day. ♦ Good eating habits - having sugary foods and drinks less often, and ♦ Regular dental check-ups.
How often should I brush my teeth? Be sure to brush thoroughly with a fluoride toothpaste last thing at night and at least one other time during the day. If you regularly keep getting discomfort or bleeding after brushing you should see your dentist.
Why is brushing important? Daily brushing and cleaning between your teeth is important because it removes plaque. If the plaque isn’t removed, it continues to build up, feeding on the bits of food left behind and causing tooth decay and gum disease.
Why should I visit the dental team regularly? It is always better to prevent problems rather than have to cure them when they happen. If you visit the dentist regularly you will need less treatment and they will spot any problems earlier.
Smiles!
Preventing Tooth Decay and Gum Disease Tooth decay progresses more quickly in children than in adults, so it is vital to establish a good tooth brushing routine for children as early as possible. The reason why decay is so rapid in children is because baby teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth. Tooth decay and gum disease is prevented by cleaning well and eating healthily. Brushing teeth is an important part of good oral and overall health, especially for children, whose teeth and bones are still developing. As soon as the first tooth appears brushing should start. Baby teeth usually appear at around six months of age and all of the baby teeth should be visible by two years of age. The first adult molars appear at around six years of age and this coincides with the start of the loss of baby teeth. From the beginning use a toothbrush and toothpaste that is recommended for the particular age group of your child. Use a soft-bristled brush with a small amount of children’s toothpaste. Gently but thoroughly brush on the inside, outside and tops of each of the child’s teeth, as well as the tongue (to remove bacteria that causes bad breathe). From an early age children can try to brush their own teeth, but until they are competent an adult should repeat the process. From three years of age onwards, children should use age recommended electric toothbrushes which are clinically proven to clean better. Children, just as adults, should brush twice a day. It is best to develop a routine.
VISIT THE DENTIST! NHS dental care is FREE until the age of 18 FREE NHS dental care for ALL pregnant mothers AND for 12 months after birth Take your child to the dentist regularly, not just when in pain. Ask your dentist to brush on fluoride varnish for added protection against tooth decay (for children aged 3 and above) - IT’S FREE!
Baby’s teething timeline Your baby’s teeth are developing even before he is born, but you can expect teething to begin at about four or five months. After that, you can expect his teeth to follow this rough order (but remember it’s common to “cross-cut” cutting teeth in a different order): Six months: First teeth appear, usually bottom central incisors. Seven/eight months: Upper middle incisors appear Nine-16months: Upper lateral incisors start showing. 14 months: First molars appear on both the bottom and the top 18 months: The sharp canine teeth show through 26 months: The back second molars appear, usually the bottom and then the top By the age of two and three: Your child should have a full set of 20 primary teeth.
To Find Your Local NHS Dentist: Visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/dentists
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