What is considered “basic dental care”?

basic dental care

Basic dental care entails brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis, visiting your dentist and/or dental hygienist for routine checkups and cleanings, and eating a mouth-healthy diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, as well as dairy products.

Why is preventative dental care critical?

Performing routine dental care:

Defends against tooth decay.


Prevents gum (periodontal) disease, which can wreak havoc on gum tissue and the bones that support teeth, eventually resulting in tooth loss.
Reduces time spent with the dentist and dental hygienist and improves the overall experience.

  • Conserves funds. Preventing tooth decay and gum disease can help you avoid the need for expensive fillings and other procedures.
  • Contributes to the prevention of foul breath. Brushing and flossing remove the microorganisms that produce bad breath from your mouth.
  • Contributes to the maintenance of white teeth by reducing discoloration from food, beverages, and cigarettes.
  • Enhances general health.
  • Allows your teeth to last a lifetime.

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Is it possible to avoid dental problems?

dental problems
How to avoid dental problems

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums involves a balanced diet and consistent brushing and flossing.

  • Brush twice daily—in the morning and before bedtime—and floss once daily. This eliminates plaque, which can result in tooth, gum, and bone damage.
  • Utilize a fluoride-containing toothpaste to help prevent tooth decay and cavities. Consult your dentist to determine if you require a fluoride-containing mouthwash or one that contains plaque-fighting chemicals. Consider purchasing toothpaste that has been approved by the American Dental Association.
  • Avoid foods that are high in sugar. Sugar promotes plaque growth.
  • Avoid smoking, which can result in gum disease and oral cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke (secondhand smoking) may also result in gum disease and other health complications. [2]

Clean your tongue regularly. Stroke in a back-to-front direction with a tongue cleaner or a soft-bristle toothbrush. Tongue cleansing is especially critical for smokers and those with coated or deeply grooved tongues.

Schedule frequent dental visits based on the frequency with which you require exams and cleanings.

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When should your child begin dental care? – Basic Dental Care

Tips For Daily Dental Care 2021 Dentist
Tips For Daily Dental Care 2021

By the time your child is six months old, your doctor should have determined the possibility of your child developing dental problems in the future. If your paediatrician believes your kid will have dental difficulties, schedule an appointment for him or her to see a dentist before their first birthday or six months after the first primary teeth develop, whichever comes first. Following your initial visit, schedule follow-up appointments every six months or as your dentist suggests.

Experts recommend that your child see a dentist between six months of the appearance of the first tooth or at the age of twelve months, whichever comes first. If your baby develops dental difficulties as a result of an injury, disease, or developmental delay, schedule an appointment with your paediatric dentist immediately.

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Children and Infants

Dental care for a child begins with a healthy pregnancy, as baby teeth begin to form before to birth. If you are pregnant, it is critical to consume a balanced, nutritious diet that is high in vitamins and minerals. Pregnant women should have a comprehensive dental exam and any cavities or gum disease repaired.

Teething

Your child’s first teeth (primary teeth) often begin to burst through the gums (erupt) around the age of six months, although timing varies between children. Between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, all of the 20 main teeth should emerge. Between the ages of 6 and 11, your child will lose all of his or her primary teeth. For additional information, please refer to the topic Teething.

At approximately age6, your child’s first permanent teeth (molars) erupt behind the primary teeth. Between the ages of 12 and 21, the final permanent teeth often erupt.

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Consult a dentist for the first time

By the time your child is six months old, your doctor should have determined the possibility of your child developing dental problems in the future. This may include a dental examination of the mother and a review of her dental history, as the mother’s teeth are frequently a good predictor of her child’s teeth.

If the doctor believes your child will have dental difficulties, schedule an appointment for him or her to see a dentist by the child’s first birthday or six months after the first primary teeth develop, whichever comes first. Following your initial visit, schedule follow-up appointments every six months or as your dentist suggests.

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Experts recommend that your child see a dentist between six months of the appearance of the first tooth or at the age of twelve months, whichever comes first.

Babies who have oral difficulties as a result of an injury, disease, or developmental delay should be evaluated immediately by a children’s (paediatric) dentist. If these dental abnormalities are not restricted to the tooth surfaces, your youngster should also be evaluated by a paediatrician or family physician.

Dental and gum care for your child

It is best to establish healthy oral hygiene practises prior to the eruption of permanent teeth.

  • Clean your baby’s gums with a soft cloth. Begin many days after birth and continue until the first teeth appear.
  • Spoons, forks, and other utensils are frequently shared by parents and caregivers with infants. Saliva on the utensil may carry bacteria that cause tooth decay. At times, kissing can also be a source of bacterium transmission. You may assist prevent your child from developing early childhood tooth decay by ensuring that your family maintains good dental health behaviours. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums minimises the danger of passing on tooth decay bacteria to your child.
  • Avoid putting your infant or small child to sleep with a bottle of milk, formula, juice, or any other sugar-containing product. These beverages include sugar and acids that can contribute to tooth decay (bottle mouth). Avoid placing the bottle in your baby’s mouth. Remove the bottle immediately after your baby has finished feeding or has fallen asleep. However, breastfeeding your infant to sleep is safe. Encourage your infant to begin drinking from a cup between the ages of 4 and 6 months.
  • As soon as feasible, teach your child to drink from an open cup. Attempt to accomplish this by the age of 12 to 15 months. Drinking from a cup reduces the likelihood of liquid accumulating around the teeth. If your child need a bottle or sippy cup for extended periods of time, fill it entirely with water.
  • Consult your dentist about your child’s fluoride requirements. If your child requires additional fluoride, your dentist may recommend a supplement or a gel or varnish that your child’s dentist will apply to his or her teeth. Supplements should be taken only as advised. Additionally, keep them out of your child’s reach. Fluoride in excess can be harmful and discolour a child’s teeth.
  • Provide nutritious foods to your child to help them keep healthy gums, build strong teeth, and avoid tooth decay. Whole grains, veggies, and fruits are all examples of this. Avoid sugary and processed carbohydrate-containing items such as pastries, spaghetti, and white bread.
  • Avoid giving your youngster mouthwashes containing alcohol. If your child is six years old or older and has cavities, ask the dentist if he or she should use a fluoride-containing mouthwash. However, keep an eye out for your toddler swallowing it.
  • Avoid exposing your child to cigarette smoke (secondhand smoke). Tobacco smoking may exacerbate tooth decay, gum disease, and other health problems. Teach your child about the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke as they grow.
  • Children play aggressively, sometimes to the point of knocking out or breaking a tooth. Learn how to avoid tooth damage and what to do in the event of a dental emergency. Additional information is available under the topic Mouth & Dental Injuries. [1]
  • If your child is sucking his or her fingers or thumb, assist him or her in stopping. If the child is unable to quit, consult a dentist. More information is available under the topic Thumb-Sucking.

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Brushing and flossing the teeth

flossing basic dental care
Flossing

As soon as your child’s teeth begin to emerge, begin brushing them with a soft toothbrush. Twice daily, brush your child’s teeth using a small, soft brush. If your child is under the age of three, consult your dentist about using a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. For youngsters aged 3 to6, use a pea-sized quantity. Discourage your child from swallowing the toothpaste.


Begin flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they come into contact with one another. Plastic flossing instruments may be beneficial. Consult your dentist about the proper technique and timing for flossing your child’s teeth, as well as how to teach your child to floss.


Brush and floss your child’s teeth for the first few years, or until he or she is capable of doing so independently. Around the age of three, your child can begin brushing his or her own teeth. By the time children reach the age of four, they should be brushing their own teeth morning and night, although you should supervise and ensure appropriate cleaning.


Encourage your youngster to observe you brushing your teeth at the proper angle so that he or she can learn how to brush properly. A good training strategy is for you to brush in the morning and your child to brush at night until your youngster masters the ability.


Periodically, use disclosing tablets to determine whether any plaque remains on the teeth after brushing. Disclosing tablets are chewable and colour any plaque that remains on the child’s teeth after brushing. These are available at the majority of pharmacies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some of the common concerns that people have about visiting the dentist and receiving dental care:

What can I do to overcome my fear?

Dental anxiety refers to feelings of fear or apprehension prior to or during a dental visit. This can make visiting the dentist a challenging experience. You can mitigate your nervousness by communicating your concerns to the dentist and establishing a system of hand signals.


Is teeth whitening necessary for me?

Teeth whitening is a procedure that involves the use of a bleaching agent or an abrasive to whiten teeth. Teeth whitening is not a medical technique that results in healthier teeth; nevertheless, it might result in a brighter smile. This, in turn, can improve people’s self-esteem. Teeth whitening is more effective on certain types of stains than others, so consult your dentist to determine if teeth whitening is best for you and to learn about the products and techniques available.

Is a routine visit painful?

If you visit the dentist regularly and take appropriate care of your teeth, you should have no discomfort. If this is your first appointment in a long time or you do not take proper care of your teeth and gums, you may experience some discomfort as the dentist cleans the areas between your teeth and between your teeth and gums.


Do I require a filling?

A filling is a material that dentists use to repair decaying or cracked teeth. A filling is frequently required to repair a cavity. Whether or whether you require a filling is determined by how well you care for your teeth. If you brush and floss regularly and limit your sugar intake, you are unlikely to require a filling.


Do I require dental X-rays?

Dental X-rays can detect cavities, bone problems, and infections and aid in treatment planning. They can also tell when a child’s new teeth are coming in. X-rays can assist your dentist in detecting problems early on, saving you time, money, and unneeded pain or discomfort. You and your dentist will work together to establish an X-ray schedule that is appropriate for your needs.

Children

The following are some concerns about children’s oral care:

How can I make my child’s visit to the dentist more enjoyable?

A dentist visit can be frightening for youngsters. This risk can be minimised by carefully selecting a dentist and preparing your child for his or her first appointment. Above all, avoid communicating your own fears to your child.
How do I brush the teeth of my child? It is critical to begin brushing and flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they come in. This protects your child’s teeth and gums and serves as a positive model for future behaviour.


Is fluoride necessary for my child?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that aids in the prevention of tooth decay and cavities. Pediatric dentists recommend that you begin using a very little amount (a smear) of fluoride toothpaste on your infant’s toothbrush as soon as his or her teeth begin to erupt.

Fluoride levels applied to public water sources and bottled water at recommended levels are likewise safe for children and adults. If your child requires additional fluoride, your dentist may offer a supplement, as well as a gel or varnish to be applied to your child’s teeth.

Supplements should be taken only as advised. Additionally, keep them out of your child’s reach. Fluoride in excess can be harmful and discolour a child’s teeth.

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Nota bene:

Fluoride is harmless in the proportions found in drinking water, but can be hazardous in excessive doses. Toxic concentrations vary according to your child’s weight.

Fluoride has a deadly dose of 500 mg for a 3-year-old child and significantly less for a younger child or newborn. Keep any fluoride-containing items, such as toothpastes and mouthwashes, out of the reach of youngsters.

Treatment at Home

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Developing healthy dental practises is the most effective method to avoid tooth decay and gum disease. Seniors may have additional concerns regarding dentures, and those who suffer from arthritis may have difficulty gripping a toothbrush.

Daily brushing

Establish a brushing and flossing routine. Brush twice daily, in the morning and evening, and floss once daily.


Brush with a toothbrush that has soft, rounded-end bristles and a tiny enough head to reach all areas of your teeth and mouth. Every three to four months, replace your toothbrush.


You may also use an electric toothbrush that has been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). According to studies, powered toothbrushes that rotate and oscillate (back and forth) are more effective than other types of toothbrushes, including other powered toothbrushes.


Utilize a fluoride-containing toothpaste. Certain fluoride toothpastes also contain tartar control, which may help inhibit the production of hard mineral buildup on the teeth (tartar).


At the point where the teeth meet the gums, tilt the brush 45 degrees. Firmly press the brush and softly rock it back and forth in little circular motions. Avoid scrubbing. Brushing vigorously can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth and scrape the enamel.


Brush all surfaces of the teeth, including the tongue and cheeks. Particular attention should be paid to the front teeth and the entire surface of the back teeth.


Brush rapidly across chewing surfaces with short back-and-forth strokes.
From back to front, brush your tongue. When some people do this, they apply toothpaste or mouthwash to their toothbrush. Brushing your tongue aids in the removal of plaque, which can contribute to bad breath and the growth of bacteria. Certain toothbrushes now include a brush designed specifically for your tongue.


Use disclosing tablets on a regular basis to check for remaining plaque on the teeth. Chewable disclosing pills will colour any plaque left on your teeth after brushing. They are available at the majority of pharmacies.

Daily floss

At the very least, floss once a day. It is irrelevant what type of floss you use. Select the type and flavour that appeal to you the most. Utilize one of the following techniques:

Cut a piece of floss 18 in. (45 cm) to 20 in. (50 cm) long. Wrap one end around your left middle finger and the other around your right middle finger, separating your hands by approximately 2 in. (5 cm) to 3 in. (8 cm).


The circular technique: Utilize a piece of floss approximately 12 in. (30 cm) in length. Connect the ends to form a loop. If the loop is too huge, you can shrink it by wrapping the floss over your fingers.


A plastic flossing gadget designed to make flossing more convenient: Parents can floss their children’s teeth using child-size flossing equipment. They are available at the majority of pharmacies.


Between the teeth, gently work the floss toward the gums. Curve the floss into a U-shape around each tooth and gently move it beneath the gum line. Scrape the plaque off by forcefully moving the floss up and down numerous times. Without scraping, squeezing the floss in and out between the teeth will not remove much plaque and may irritate the gums.

You may choose to experiment with electric cleaning gadgets (interdental cleaning devices or interdental brushes) designed to clean the spaces between your teeth. They can be just as beneficial as flossing your teeth.

If your gums bleed while flossing, the bleeding should subside as your gums become healthier and more compact adjacent to your teeth.

Consume a diet that is beneficial to your oral health.


Consume a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat and sodium and high in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Sustaining a balanced diet is critical for preserving healthy gums and avoiding tooth disease.


Mozzarella and other types of cheese, peanuts, yoghurt, and milk, as well as sugar-free chewing gum (particularly gum containing xylitol), are all beneficial to your teeth. They aid in the removal of toxic sugars from your mouth and defend against plaque. These are excellent post-meal snacks.


Avoid foods high in sugar, particularly sticky, sweet foods such as taffy and raisins. Sugar will cause greater harm to your teeth the longer it is in touch with them.


Avoid snacking before bedtime, as food left on the teeth during the night is more likely to form cavities. Because saliva production reduces during sleep, saliva does not adequately clean the mouth.


Abstain from tobacco use


Additionally, it is critical to abstain from cigarette products. Using any tobacco product increases your risk of developing oral cancer or gum disease (periodontal disease). 

I would recommend you to watch this video – Rebuild Your Teeth and Gums Before You Go To Bed Tonight With This 60 Second Dental Trick (How to boost your dental health with these 9 supplements)