Tips From a Family Dentist for Optimal Oral Care

A family dentist can help guide you and your loved ones toward optimal care. These are dentists who are capable of treating the members of your household, from toddlers to senior citizens. Good dental health begins with establishing good oral hygiene routines. Our family dentist advises patients to view brushing and flossing as things they want to do, not something they have to do.

The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice and flossing once daily. While simple and inexpensive, these two simple things protect you against the two most common causes of dental problems: gum disease and tooth decay.

Oral care tips from our family dentist

Ready to learn some of the ways you can help the members of your family build good oral hygiene habits? Here are some of the things our family dentist recommends:

1. Give family members something to look forward to

The plain taste of mint does not cut it for everyone, so use your knowledge of which flavors each member of your household likes the most to encourage consistent brushing habits. Children often prefer the taste of fruit-flavored toothpaste, and there is nothing stopping adults from getting toothpaste with their favorite flavors.

2. Associate oral hygiene with something fun

Rewarding your children for brushing and flossing their teeth will make them enjoy taking care of their teeth and gums more. You can even create sticker charts to track their progress and give them a sense of accomplishment.

Adults should also do things to make oral hygiene more fun for themselves. Put on one of your favorite tracks or listen to a podcast while you clean your mouth.

3. Stay organized

Make sure everything each member of your household needs to clean their teeth is within reach. Choose their favorite flavored toothpaste, mouthwash, and a soft-bristled toothbrush for each household member.

4. Ensure everyone uses good brushing techniques

How people brush their teeth impacts how much they get from each brushing session. Here is what a proper brushing routine looks like:

• Use a fluoride toothpaste
• Brush in small circles
• Spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth
• Get all the sides of each tooth

5. Visit a dentist twice a year

Biannual dental visits are also an important part of good oral care. These visits involve preventative treatments like teeth cleanings and give family dentists a chance to examine their patient’s teeth and gums to detect developing problems. These routine visits also give dentists a chance to perform any restorative or cosmetic treatments as needed.

6. Encourage healthy eating habits

What a person eats can be just as important as oral hygiene when it comes to keeping teeth healthy. Families should consume foods that are rich in calcium, protein, and vitamin C to keep teeth healthy while avoiding sugary foods as much as possible.