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Prevention is always better. But even after a dental treatment, taking care of your oral health is vital. Here are some general advice regarding your dental health. · Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
· Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
· Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay–causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
· Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
· Don't smoke or chew tobacco
· Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
Child Oral Health
The best way to ensure that your child does not get cavities or gingivitis is to instill proper oral habits early. Good oral hygiene routines should be established as early as infancy and continued throughout life.
· Even before teeth begin to erupt, thoroughly clean your infant's gums after each feeding with a water-soaked infant washcloth or gauze pad to stimulate the gum tissue and remove food. When the baby's teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
· A small amount of fluoridated toothpaste will help to inhibit decay. Fluoride is also found in mouth rinses, community water supplies, and in some foods.
· At age two or three, you can begin to teach your child proper brushing techniques. But remember, you will need to follow up with brushing and gentle flossing until age even or eight, when the child has the dexterity to do it alone.
· Schedule regular oral health appointments starting around your child's first birthday. Your oral health professional will check for cavities in the primary teeth and watch for developmental problems, as well as help to create a positive experience that may alleviate fear at future visits.
· Allow and encourage your child to discuss any fears he or she might have about oral health visits, but do not mention the words 'hurt' or 'pain'. Saying "it won't hurt" instills the possibility of pain in the child's thought process.
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