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The ADA recommends the following for good oral hygiene:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
- Eat a balanced diet and limit between snacks.
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
- Replace toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed.. A worn toothbrush will not do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
According to research, the most common chronic childhood
disease in America is tooth decay, affecting 50 percent of first-graders and
80 percent of 17-year-olds. Early treatment prevents problems affecting a
child’s health, well-being, self-image and overall achievement.
Parents are responsible for ensuring their children practice good dental hygiene. Parents must introduce proper oral care early in a child's life-as early as infancy. The American Dental Hygiene Association states that a good oral hygiene routine for children includes:
- Thoroughly cleaning your infant's gums after each feeding with a water-soaked infant cloth. This stimulates the gum tissue and removes food.
- Gently brushing your baby's erupted teeth with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
- Teaching your child at age 2 or 3 about proper brushing techniques. Brushing their teeth for them at least once a day and letting the child brush by themselves once per day. At age 7 or 8 years old your child may be ready to brush their own and ready to learn to use dental floss.
- Regular visits with their dentist to check for cavities in the primary teeth and for possible developmental problems.
- Encouraging your child to discuss any fears they may have about oral health visits, but not mentioning words like “pain” or “hurt,” since this may instill the possibility of pain in the child's thought process.
- Determining if the water supply that serves your home is fluoridated; if not, discussing supplement options with your dentist or hygienist.
- Asking your hygienist or dentist about sealant applications to protect your child's teeth-chewing surfaces and about bottle tooth decay, which occurs when teeth are frequently exposed to sugared liquids.
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