There are many people who think that children as young as 7-years-old may need an orthodontist. However, unless there are serious problems that are affecting speech or the ability to eat, children’s mouths are too small at that point for orthodontia to be necessary. Before thinking about orthodontics, allow your child to grow a little more before taking them in for corrections, and you never they just might get better on their own.
Visit your dentist every 6 months. Regular dentist visits can protect your teeth from many serious problems. Going to the dentist when you should helps prevent tooth decay, prevent gum disease, and keeps away plaque build up.
Your toothbrush should always be clean. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush, and let it air dry. Employ a vertically standing toothbrush holder to keep the head of the toothbrush from coming in contact with other things. Storing the brush in the container or on a counter encourages bacterial growth. Avoid this. Change your toothbrush frequently.
See the dentist two times a year, or as much as your particular health warrants. Only through regular care will you be able to prevent serious problems from developing. You will have less anxiety if you visit your dentist regularly and get to know him. This will be especially helpful if you ever need to have a complicated procedure done.
In order to avoid cavities, brush your teeth often throughout the day. The best care for your mouth is to brush after every meal, as well as when you first wake up and before bed. If brushing your teeth after every single meal is just not possible, then chew some sugar-free gum in order to assist in teeth cleaning and breath freshening.
Avoid brushes with hard bristles. Using a hard toothbrush could damage your gums and open root surfaces. The stiff bristles can also erode tooth enamel. Over time, this can cause painful tooth sensitivity, but a soft bristle brush will alleviate this issue.
Use enough floss when you set out to clean your teeth, don’t worry about how much you use. You should be able to get your whole mouth clean with around 20 inches. Try twisting the floss around the two middle fingers. Allow for a 1″ length of floss for each space between your teeth.
If your dentist says you must have a deep cleaning, it’s a good idea to ask another dentist for a second opinion. This is a costly and involved form of cleaning. Don’t agree to it if you don’t need it. Your dentist may just be trying to increase profits.
These tips should help you follow proper dental hygiene for the rest of your life. However, a child’s mouth has not fully developed. Allow your child’s mouth to mature before going to an orthodontist. Their problems may self-correct.
