Healthy Smile Tips
Oral Hygiene tips
We recommend brushing twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Brushing is important because it cleans off all the food and drink consumed during the day and adds a protective layer of fluoride.
- Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums
- Move the brush back and forth in short, gentle strokes
- Brush the outer surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all teeth.
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
- Download this calendar to help your kids keep their teeth clean all year long: https://www.mouthhealthykids.org/en/activity-sheets
- Brushing is important because it cleans off all the food and drink consumed during the day and adds a protective layer of fluoride.
- When shopping for toothbrush and toothpaste, look for a soft bristle brush, preferably an electric toothbrush, and fluoride toothpaste.
We recommend flossing once each day. Brushing is important but unfortunately, the toothbrush bristles are just too large to get to those small places in between your teeth.
- Use about 18 inches of floss wound around one of your middle fingers, with the rest wound around the opposite middle finger.
- Hold the floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers and gently insert it between the teeth.
- Curve the floss into a “C” Shape against the side of the tooth.
- Rub the floss gently up and down, keeping it pressed against the tooth. Don’t jerk or snap the floss.
- Floss all your teeth. Don’t forget to floss behind your back teeth.
Diet & Nutrition
- Never put your baby to bed with a bottle or sippy cup.
- Only put formula, breast milk or water in infant bottles
- Limit juice and sugary drinks
- Choose healthy snacks between meals (e.g. nuts, cheese, hummus, vegetables)
- Check the nutrition labels on beverages. Sodas, sports drinks, juices, and coffees often contain large amounts of sugar and acid that cause cavities.
Preparing For A Dental Emergency
If any dental trauma happens, call the office to see how quickly you need to be evaluated. Keep our phone number, 513-870-0700, in a convenient place in case of a dental emergency.
- Tongue or lip bites or wounds: If you or your child bump the teeth or gums, clean the area, apply pressure to any areas that are bleeding, administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed for pain and offer a sugar-free popsicle to help reduce the swelling. If the bleeding can’t be controlled, go to the hospital emergency room.
- Broken Tooth: If a permanent tooth is chipped or broken, collect the pieces of the tooth, apply a cold compress to the area and call the office.
- Knocked- out (avulsed) baby tooth: If baby tooth accidentally gets knocked out, it can’t be put back in. Call the office to see if your child needs to be evaluated. Find the tooth and put it under your child’s pillow for the Tooth Fairy.
- Knocked-out (avulsed) permanent tooth: If a permanent tooth is accidentally knocked out, it is a dental emergency and please call our office immediately. Find the tooth and place it in milk. Do not store the tooth in a tissue or tap water. If possible, gently insert the tooth back into the socket and hold it there on your way to the dentist. It is time-critical for successful reimplantation so get to the office ASAP!
- Possible Broken Jaw: apply cold compresses to control swelling. Get to the emergency room immediately.
- Objects caught between teeth: Attempt to gently remove the object with dental floss. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If you are unable to remove the object at home with floss, give us a call.
Expectant Moms
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you can begin to take steps to establish good oral health for you and your child. It is important to have a dental exam to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy. The bacteria in your mouth can affect your unborn child. Once your child is born, the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease can be passed easily from you to your child. Start developing a healthy smile by scheduling a dental check-up today! Read More http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/G_PerinatalOralHealthCare.pdf
Your oral health during pregnancy:
- Before Pregnancy:
- Establish and maintain good home care and regular dental visits
- Increased hormones released when you get pregnant can make your teeth and gum tissue extra sensitive.
- 1st Trimester:
- tell your dentist you are pregnant
- check with your dental insurance to see if you are eligible for additional cleanings during your pregnancy
- changes in your hormone levels can cause your gums to become inflamed and puffy, Pregnancy Gingivitis
- bland toothpaste and mouth rinses can help to avoid morning sickness
- rinse your mouth out frequently if you are suffering from morning sickness
- your dentist may recommend a fluoride rinse to use while pregnant
- use a soft toothbrush and a small toothbrush to prevent vomiting
- DO NOT brush right after vomiting. A change in the pH of your mouth means that you can damage your enamel if you brush right away, wait a few minutes and rinse your mouth with water.
- If necessary, x-rays and dental treatment can be accomplished safely during pregnancy.
- 2nd trimester:
- avoid sugary snacks even though you might be craving them
- maintain a healthy diet with plenty of vitamin c, calcium, vitamin b12 – these all help to build healthy teeth for your baby.
- Refrain from bleaching your teeth. There is no evidence that suggests that it may harm your baby but most dentists still discourage it.
- Sometimes people may get small temporary tumors in their mouth or cheeks while pregnant. This is referred to as Pregnancy Granuloma.
- Baby teeth begin to develop 3 months into pregnancy and your diet and medications affect their development.
- Avoid certain medications such as antibiotics because they can stain your baby’s teeth
- 3rd trimester:
- avoid dental treatments during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy
- remain diligent about home care – flossing and brushing
- schedule a dental appointment for after the baby is born.
- Nursing/ Post- Partum:
- See your dentist soon after delivery for exam
- Postpone major dental work until this time
- X-rays, local anesthetic and nitrous oxide are all safe while breastfeeding
- Begin brushing your baby’s teeth with a soft toothbrush and water when they come in.
- Infants:
- Before your child even has teeth, we recommend that you start cleaning your child’s gums with a soft washcloth.
- Most of your child’s teeth will erupt between 6 months and 2 years.
- Insert dental exfoliation chart here
- Once your child has teeth, begin brushing with a small smear of fluoridated toothpaste on a soft-bristled child’s toothbrush
- Once your child’s teeth begin to touch, begin flossing.
- Never put your child to bed with a bottle, this habit can lead to severe tooth decay.
Patients With Special Needs
When you call to schedule your first appointment, please let the front office know that your child has special needs and inform them of any questions or concerns you may have. This will allow us to make special arrangements, if necessary, so that we can better prepare for your visit.
Preparation and prevention are key to treating patients with special needs. Please make sure to share any medications or special diets that your child may have so that we can discuss the effects that these might have on your child’s teeth.