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A generation of smiles
17th Feb 2011
Caring for your teeth is a lifelong job and the importance of good dental care should never be underestimated.
Here, Denplan's chief dental officer, Roger Matthews, serves up his top tips in taking care of teeth throughout their development.
1. No pause when pregnant
Pregnant mothers should practice good dental care, even before their baby is born as evidence suggests that bacteria present in their mouths can determine if their child will be prone to decay.
2. Baby, you're looking good
Babies' dental care is really important, even before the first tooth comes in, so parents should schedule in a dentist appointment before their child's first birthday and every six months afterwards.
3. It's child's play
Children should be supervised when brushing their teeth until at least seven years of age. Be sure to invest in a good toothbrush and brush with a fluoride toothpaste.
4. Inbetweeners
Once teeth start to touch together, flossing should be introduced as part of a daily routine. It's a skill your dentist or hygienist should be able to help you with.
5. Teen rebels
Teenagers are often conscious about how they look, but some trends such as lip and tongue piercings can chip and fracture teeth as well as increasing the risk of infection.
6. Growing in wisdom
If wisdom teeth start to cause soreness, you can try bathing them in comfortably hot water with a teaspoon of salt. It's also a good idea to see your dentist more regularly during this time, to make sure you're not experiencing anything unusual.
7. Snack attacks
Avoid snacking between meals – all foods have hidden sugars which put teeth under constant attack and can then cause decay.
8. Cosmetic solutions
Adults can expect a little darkening of the teeth as they get older, so cosmetic improvements such as whitening could be a good option.
9. Don't let things slip
In later life, denture wearers can use products such as Fixodent to help increase the comfort and confident feeling that dentures won't slip.
10. All powered up
Some people find that arthritis, for example, makes brushing more difficult, so power brushes can be very important here. It's a good idea to speak with your dentist for advice.
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