For Mum & Dad
Looking after Childrens teeth.
As soon as your Childs teeth begin to come through you should start cleaning them, on infants this can be done with a small finger brush or flannel cloth dampened in water and gently rub the surfaces of the teeth. You should also take your baby for their first visit to the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears to get them used to the sights and sounds of the dental practice. As they get bigger and as more teeth are through you can begin to use a soft textured small headed toothbrush with toothpaste on.
Until your child is around 8 years old we recommend that you assist them when brushing. The technique for doing this it to cradle their head in one arm while keeping your other hand free to brush.
- First place the toothbrush alongside the teeth. The bristles should be at a 45-degree angle to the gum line.
- Gently move the brush in a small circular motion cleaning one tooth at time. Be sure to have a system so you don't miss any teeth. For instance, you might start with the bottom back tooth and work your way to the front, and then repeat on the opposite side of the mouth before switching to the top teeth.
- Brush across the chewing surfaces, making sure the bristles get into the grooves and crevices. Clean the side of the teeth on the tongue using the same circular motion. Again, start in the back and work your way forward. Remember to brush the inside of the top teeth, too.
- Brush your child's tongue lightly to remove bacteria and keep their breath smelling good.
- Your child can rinse their mouth with water at the end.
Most children miss the molars and the bottom teeth on the tongue side when brushing. Be sure to pay special attention to these areas.
A few other tips:
- Use a soft nylon toothbrush with just a small, pea-size dab of fluoride toothpaste.
- Teach your child how to spit out the foamy saliva so he or she doesn't swallow it.
As your child gets older and their dexterity improves they can begin to brush their own teeth, we recommend that you still supervise the brushing and check that they have not missed any areas. We suggest you do this until you feel comftable that your child is cleaning their teeth properly.
We recommend the following tooth brushing method for young children.
Place a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush. Take care that your child does not swallow the toothpaste.
First they should start brush back and forth using short brush strokes on the inside surface of each tooth, this is where plaque accumulates most.
Then clean the outer surfaces of each tooth. Angle the brush along the gum line, again gently brushing back and forth.
They can then give the chewing surface of each tooth a good brush back and forth.
The tip of the brush is the perfect size to clean behind each front tooth, both top and bottom.
After all that they can then give their tongue a brush to help freshen their breath.
As they become more confident rinsing, you can then introduces mouthwashes and other cleanings aid like disclosing tablets. We recommend a fluoride mouthwash that is suitable for your Childs age. Disclosing tablets can be used to make your child aware of areas they a not cleaning in there mouth.
Floss and interdental aids should only be used on instruction from your dentist as they could cause trauma to young gums if they are not used correctly.
Diet
What your child eats is important for healthy teeth, but it's just as important to be careful about when and how often they eat. A balanced diet is important for long-term dental health it helps to keep the teeth and maintain healthy gums. When and how often your child eats can have more immediate effects.
Cavities can develop when carbohydrate foods are allowed to stay in the mouth or on the teeth for a long time. Bacteria that live in the mouth feast on these food particles and create an acid that will over time eat away at tooth enamel. Leaving time between meals allows saliva to wash away the acid. Frequent snacking keeps the mouth acidic and decay-prone.
When most people think of sugar, they think of sucrose, which is found in sweets and cakes. But all foods containing carbohydrates are ultimately sugar. Research shows that bacteria do not discriminate. They like crisps and chips just as much as lollipops.
So here are a few tips for snacking and mealtimes:
- Give your child healthy snack foods, like fresh fruits, vegetables and cheeses.
- Buy foods that are sugar-free or unsweetened.
- Serve sugary or starchy foods as part of a meal as a puddings rather than as a snack.
- Avoid sticky foods unless your child plans to brush their teeth straight after they eat them.
- Offer fewer snacks. If your child is eating frequently, the level of acid in the mouth remains high for longer periods of time. Encourage larger meals and reduce the need for snacking.
- After your child snacks, make sure their teeth are brushed. If this isn't possible, then have them rinse with water several times.
- Never put your child to bed with a bottle filled with milk, juice or pop.
Healthy Snacks
Fresh fruits and raw vegetables
- Berries
- Oranges
- Grapefruit
- Melons
- Pineapple
- Pears
- Tangerines
- Celery
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices
- Tinned fruits in natural juices
Grains
- Bread
- Plain bagels
- unsweetened cereals
- Unbuttered popcorn
- Plain crackers
Milk and dairy products
- milk
- yogurt
- cheese
- cottage cheese
Meat, nuts and seeds
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Sliced meats
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Nuts
REMEMBER: Everything in moderation as some fresh fruits can be very acidic and a diet high in these can leave the teeth at risk of acid erosion!
This list is only intended for guidance and is not a comprehensive list of foods.
