Healthy Oral Health Habits For The Entire Family.
Infants
Start brushing as soon as the first baby tooth comes through the gums.
Brush twice a day with one brushing at night before your baby goes to bed.
Buy a soft, small-headed brush and make sure that you only use a smear of fluoride toothpaste.
By having your infant sit or lie on your lap, both facing the same direction, you can get easy access to his or her mouth.
-source- The New Zealand Dental Association
Toddlers
Stand behind a seated or standing toddler, both facing the mirror, reach around to brush the toddler's teeth.
Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste on a soft, small-headed toothbrush
Brush twice a day, morning and night, for two minutes and brushing last thing at night time before bed is very important
Encourage your child to spit the toothpaste out after brushing and not rinse the mouth
Hold the brush at 45 degree angle to the gum line and brush gently by moving the brush back and forth in short, tooth-wide strokes
Make sure you brush the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of all the teeth in upper and lower jaws
Check your child's brush regularly and replace it every three months or soon after the bristles start to wear out
-source- The New Zealand Dental Association
Older People
Healthy eating, effective home oral care and regular dental visits are the three essential steps to maintain healthy teeth and gums for all age groups. It is important than an older person, just like anyone else, limits the intake of sugary food and drinks, brushes twice daily, and regularly visits the dentist.
Tips to keep your mouth healthy
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
Clean between the teeth at least once a day with floss or inter-dental brushes
Reduce the intake of sugary food and drinks, ideally limiting them to meal times
Keep hydrated with water, especially if you have dry mouth, and chew sugar-free gum if possible
If you are a denture wearer, thoroughly clean dentures daily, and soak them overnight in denture cleaner
Visit your dentist at least once a year so any problems can be detected early and treated
Quit smoking - it's bad for teeth and gums as well as everything else.
If in doubt about your mouth, see your dentist.
-source- The New Zealand Dental Association
Switch To Water
Avoid tooth decay and excess calories by switching your sugary drinks to water. Hydrate yourself with water. It’sfree, fresh and available on tap. Here’s a few tips to making the switch easier:
Carry a water bottle with you when you
are out and about.
If you are thirsty, drink water first.
For variety, try making your own flavoured
water with fresh herbs, vegetables or fruit.
