Many parents receive referrals to a pediatric orthodontist from their dentist, and those referrals lead to recommendations for thousands of dollars of treatment. Often, these children are still in the early years of elementary school. However, waiting for their mouths to grow often corrects many of the problems that dentists notice at that age.
Don’t put off going to the dentist. If you wait until your teeth are bothering you to go, you may have a lot of cavities or other serious dental problems that could have been prevented with routine maintenance. You should visit your dentist at least once every six months for routine checkups.
Cavities, which are also called dental caries, are the result of weakened tooth enamel. Bacteria that is allowed to languish on teeth is just one thing that helps to weaken enamel. Make sure you visit your dentist once or twice per year to get your teeth professionally cleaned so that you can help prevent cavities. At these visits, the dental hygienist will x-ray your teeth and look for cavities.
Eat as many citrus fruits as possible to keep your teeth healthy. Vitamin C helps your teeth stay strong, so you are less likely to have tooth decay if you eat plenty of oranges, lemons limes and other citrus fruits each day. However, sucking oranges or lemons can put your teeth in contact with acid that contributes to decay.
Eat what are known as detergent foods. These are foods that naturally clean your mouth as you eat them. Apples are the most famous example. Other choices include raw carrots, celery and popcorn. Ending a meal with a detergent food is a great way for your mouth to end the eating cleaner.
Brush your teeth twice a day. Ideally, you should brush your teeth after every meal. If doing so is not an option, make sure you at least brush after waking up and then again, after going to bed. Regularly brushing your teeth is one of the easiest ways to prevent tooth decay.
If you run out of toothpaste, baking soda and water can be an effective substitute. Simply mix in some water with a small amount of baking soda and use it just as you would toothpaste. An added benefit to using baking soda is that, along with neutralizing mouth odors, its abrasive nature can help with stain removal.
Make tooth brushing fun for your young children so that they will want to engage in the habit. Play games with your child like seeing who can take longest to brush their teeth. Give children stickers or stars for completing routines that include tooth brushing, and buy them a small present when they have brushed their teeth for a certain number of days in a row.
Be realistic about your expectations for whitening toothpastes. The compounds and abrasives they contain are often very helpful at lightening the surface stains on your teeth, such as coffee stains. However, they are not going to address more serious issues like decay or stains that have penetrated the tooth enamel. Most dental experts agree that it is safe to use such toothpastes twice a day.
It’s imperative that you brush correctly. Brush when you get up and before bed. Saliva decreases while you sleep. Saliva helps keep bacteria that cause cavities clear of your teeth. Time your brushing to two minutes and use a 45 degree angle to brush.
Did you know that the sequence that you eat your foods in can play a role in whether or not you develop cavities? Eating sugary foods such as cake alone is much worse for your teeth, than if you eat the cake after a meal. Don’t eat sugary foods alone, always eat them with other foods.
If you’re not comfortable with who your dentist is for whatever reason, try to get a different dentist in that building. You could also try going to different practices altogether. If you don’t like your dentist, switch right away so that there will not be delays in your important dental care.
Before visiting your dentist, write down a list of your concerns. At the dentist, it is easy to forget your questions and concerns. If you have a list, you can get all your questions answered. Your appointment is a perfect time to ask about dental hygiene or concerns you may have.
If your dentist recommends orthodontics, you should seriously consider it. Getting your teeth straightened is often more than a cosmetic issue; incorrect alignment of the teeth or jawbone can cause serious dental health problems later on. Although children most often wear braces, adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment as well.
How long should you keep your current toothbrush? It is important to change it every two months to ensure it doesn’t build up bacteria and the brushes stay strong and are able to do their job. This is a helpful way also to find out exactly what kind of toothbrush you prefer.
Since flossing is important for dental health, floss at least once per day. You can either use a dental floss or a flossing tool. Scrape the sides of the teeth using an up and down motion, removing food and plaque to get your mouth nice and clean.
Change your toothbrush every few months. If you have an electric toothbrush, change the head on it. An old toothbrush can collect bacteria and when you brush you are putting that into your mouth. Be safe and avoid the bacteria by changing it every 2 months for a healthier mouth.
If you are unable to brush your teeth after enjoying a meal, rinse your mouth out with water. This simple thing can help removed sugars and starches from your teeth. These simple carbohydrates can contribute tooth decay. There are also disposable toothbrushes that you can use while on the go.
As was said earlier in the article, many pediatric orthodontists are more interested in building sales than recommending necessary treatments. As a result, your children may get suggestions for treatments they do not yet need. The natural growing process frequently fixes many of the issues that come up at those early appointments.
Wiltondentist.com
55 Danbury Rd,
Wilton, CT 06897
(203) 567-4866
https://www.wiltondentist.com