#dentalcheckups Archives - Oh My Heartsie Girl

January 17, 2019

7 Strategies to Teach Your Kids How to Take Care of Their Teeth

Just Showing kids how to brush their teeth helps by example

Dental health is an essential aspect of a child’s life. Most of us do not take dental hygiene seriously until our children begin having issues with their teeth. Inculcating good dental habits and routines helps the children to take dental hygiene as a fun part of their lives. Good strategies help the children to look forward to taking care of their teeth even when parents are not around.

Fifty-one million school hours get wasted in dental-related illnesses in the U.S. The statistics are as a result of the report released by the U.S Surgeon General Report. Such facts bring about the need for parents to teach their children about dental health. The education can help avoid dental illnesses later in their children’s lives.

It is important to make sure you make regular visits to a dentist for checkups. Professionals such as dentist Wagga will help detect problems early enough to fix them. Strategies that parents can use to cultivate positive habits of taking of their children’s teeth include:

Make brushing Teeth a Family Activity

Children are not able to brush teeth on their own. It is crucial that they have an adult to supervise what they do. It is only until the children are about eight years old that they can brush their teeth alone. You can take advantage of the situation and make the best out of it. Instead of standing in the bathroom instructing the kids, why not make it fun?

Dance, hum, sing, make faces on the mirror while demonstrating to your kids how to brush their teeth. Take the time to bond and make the exercise fun for the children. Such memorable activities will help the children treasure taking care of their teeth. It will no longer become stressful or boring for children to brush teeth.

Show Your Kids How It’s Done!

Unlike adults who can learn through receiving instructions, children cannot. Kids learn through what they observe their parents do. It is critical at this point to be the best example for your children with regards to brushing teeth. Make sure you brush your teeth together, help them be able to brush their teeth using different techniques. Kids will mimic what they see you doing.

Sometimes you can even let them help you brush your teeth. The activity will allow you to determine how best they are learning the skill. You can equally brush their teeth to show them how it is done. Another way to teach them is to show them YouTube videos of other kids doing it. The videos will motivate the kids to brush their teeth more often and encourage them.

Make Teeth Brushing Time A Story Time

The good thing with kids is that they love stories. Creating micro stories can create an incentive for kids to brush their teeth. It can make them look forward to brushing their teeth and they can even remind you when you forget. You can tell half a story each day to create the suspense in children. In that way, they will not forget to brush their teeth.

You can become creative and tell stories of the importance of brushing teeth. You can use characters such as the knights to represent the toothbrush, the goblin to represent the plaque, and a kingdom to serve as the mouth. In that way, children can learn the importance of taking care of their teeth. They can also learn about the consequences of poor dental hygiene. The children’s learning will sustain the practice into their adulthood.

Give the Children a Little Control

Kids love when they are involved in activities around the house. To make the process of brushing teeth engaging and fun, give up some control. Allow the children to select their toothbrush and toothpaste. You can make the process fun by going out on a special day for toothpaste and toothbrush hunting.

Take the opportunity availed to teach them about how best to select a good toothbrush and toothpaste. You can then leave them to make the selection so that you can see whether they have learned. Allowing the children to have some control improves their ability to take part in brushing their teeth. It trains them on how to take care of their teeth when they grow older.

Provide Varieties

Kids can be excellent when it comes to taking up new activities such as brushing their teeth. However, the downside is that they quickly get bored. It is essential to keep the activity fun and exciting. One way is by regularly changing and replacing the toothpaste and toothbrush. Allow the kids to choose from various types of toothpaste available.

You can decide to buy them fruit-flavored toothpaste such as strawberry to make brushing teeth interesting. Keep changing flavors to prevent them from getting bored. Find toothbrushes with different shapes and designs that are intriguing. Providing varieties will help make the activity sustainable.

Time your Kids

What better way to make the act of brushing teeth fun than to time the children. The activity provides a method for you as a parent to teach your kids about time value aspect. You can get them to brush their teeth within a stipulated time limit properly.

The timing helps to keep them focused on brushing their teeth as it reduces distractions. The kids get to learn about managing and valuing their time. You can choose to reward the kid who performs best.

Create A Reward System

Kids need the motivation to do a lot of things. Rewarding them for their efforts can help encourage kids to develop positive habits towards brushing their teeth. Depending on how well you know your children, you can either choose the instant or delayed reward system.

At the end of the period, i.e., a year, you can buy gifts for the children, take them on tour, or buy toys. With time as the children grow, you can let them decide the kind of gifts they want for their reward.
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January 10, 2019

5 Habits That Will Rescue Your Family on the Brink of a Dental Crisis

Did you know your daily habits could be jeopardizing your health? Every family has their own routine, but how important is oral hygiene in your daily schedule? When it comes to dental care, you set the leading example for your kids. Many activities you partake in may actually be risking your kids’ dental health, which can cause a variety of problems down the line from cavities and tooth decay to crookedness and developmental problems.

If your family skips their cleanings, uses the wrong toothbrushes or eats a sugary diet, they could be putting themselves at risk for greater problems down the line. These five habits will help all of you take care of your teeth together.

Stop Using Mouthwash

It sounds counterproductive to quit mouthwash if you want to improve your oral hygiene, but many commercial mouthwash products do more harm than good. Mouthwash dries out your mouth, which reduces salvia and puts you at a greater risk of developing cavities, ulcers, bad breath and a higher pH concentration in your mouth.

There have been debates in the past that the alcohol in mouthwash can increase the risk of oral cancer, though no definitive connection has been made. While it remains controversial, it’s important to acknowledge and consider the potential risks of our dental products.

If you want to treat bad breath, look for natural mouthwashes that don’t contain any of the following harmful ingredients:

Alcohol
Chlorine dioxide
Chlorhexidine
Cocamidopropyl betaine
Parabens
Poloxamer 407
Formaldehyde
Saccharin

Natural mouthwashes like Aesop, Oral Essentials and The Natural Dentist mouthwash will help your family beat bad breath, fight off stains and remove bacteria from your mouths without harming your teeth.

Make Healthy Meals Together

Teach your kids to make healthy choices by preparing delicious and nutritious meals together as a family. The best foods for your teeth are packed with vitamins, minerals and protein that strengthen your teeth and bring plenty of other health benefits, too.

Swap out cookies for fruit slices and chips for veggie sticks. Nuts and low-sugar dairy products like yogurt and milk can help fortify your family’s teeth, prevent tooth decay, increase your energy levels and help you lose weight.

3. Make Sure You’re Using the Right Toothbrushes

The American Dental Association has a toothbrush guide that will help you make the best choices for you and your family. You should always use soft bristles to avoid scraping away enamel and damaging your teeth. Both manual and battery-powered toothbrushes are effective at removing plaque and harmful bacteria, and kids might find a mechanical toothbrush more fun than a regular one.

You should strive to only buy toothbrushes and toothpastes that have the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This symbol means that the product has been tested by the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs for both safety and efficacy.

Children and adults should both brush their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes at a time. Flossing is equally important, so make sure you have a full dental hygiene routine incorporated into your daily schedule.

Kids learn from their parents, so you want to lead by example rather than by rules. Instead of telling your child to brush their teeth, make it a learning moment by talking about the importance of dental health and demonstrating the right way to clean.

You can even keep a chart that tracks your family’s progress. Children who are averse to brushing can earn stars each time they take care of their teeth and earn a prize like a new toothbrush or a healthy treat.

4. Form Positive Experiences

Cut back on coffee and switch to green tea. Leave soda and sugary juices at the grocery store and make healthy alternatives like smoothies instead. Teach your children that dental hygiene and oral health can be fun, too. Start taking children to the dentist as early as age 1 to form a positive relationship with regular checkups. It’s important to establish healthcare and various offices as friendly, non-threatening environments.

Stay on top of your own health. Plenty of adults with a fear of the dentist will avoid their annual visits and cleanings, but this only harms you in the long run and teaches your kids not to take care of their own teeth.

5. Find a Good Family Dentist

Choosing the right family dentist will help everyone in the house to develop a better perspective on oral health. Offices like Sunshine Coast Country Dental have a friendly staff that is focused on providing the best experience for every member of your family.

You should start by looking online for dentists in your area. Research their background, reputation and read any available reviews. Ask your friends and relatives for suggestions as well, and be sure to visit every office before you make a decision. Ask the staff about their policies, what types of insurance they accept, what services they offer (such as oral surgery and cosmetic dentistry) and get to know the dentist. Make sure every family member feels comfortable.

Every family member has unique dental needs, and you need an office with staff that are personable and professional with adults as well as soothing to children. The right family dentist will have a kid-friendly office and make check-ups fun.

A Healthy Family is a Happy Family

Oral hygiene is just one facet of our well-being that requires diligence and daily practice. Finding the right dentist for your family is one of the best ways to stay healthy and involved in your healthcare. Not only will a good family dentist make you feel comfortable, but you’ll also be more inspired to learn about how to care for your teeth.

Good oral hygiene habits will prevent illness, disease and injury can lead to painful, expensive procedures. When you take preventative steps, the whole family can prioritize their health and have fun in the process.

December 22, 2018

5 Ways To Improve and Maintain Your Captivating Smile

Most people want a healthy smile. Not only is a pretty smile nice to look at, it can also be a good indicator of overall good health. Dental problems can be costly, and infected teeth are painful and can even be a life-threatening problem.

However, some people fear dentists. This is probably because they’ve heard horror stories, or because they’ve had a bad experience with a dentist once. However, if you maintain your smile and visit the dentist regularly, then you can prevent undergoing procedures that require anesthesia and needles. This article will provide tips and advice on maintaining a healthy smile.

Brush Twice Daily

Brushing teeth twice per day keeps teeth whiter by removing food particles and plaque from teeth. Plaque is a build-up of food particles that can lead to tooth problems. Plaque can cause teeth to lose their white luster and to decay. For an extra white smile, brush twice daily with an anti-plaque, tooth whitening toothpaste. Ask your dentist to recommend a brand.

Brushing after meals keeps breath fresher and helps to prevent cavities. A cavity is a hole in a tooth. Cavities grow larger and worsen over time if left untreated. When untreated, a cavity may eventually require an expensive and time-consuming procedure called a root canal. Cavities can also cause teeth to be sensitive while drinking or eating, which can lead to tooth pain.

Floss Every Day

Flossing helps to keep gums healthy and prevent gum disease. Gum diseases, such as gingivitis, can cause teeth to loosen and fall out. Ask a dentist or other dental professional to show you the best methods for flossing your teeth. For instance, if you have crowns or bridges, you might need to thread your string floss to get underneath the bridge or crown. People with braces might need special toothbrushes or flossers for their teeth.

Visit the Dentist Twice Per Year

You should visit your dentist twice per year for an oral exam. During this exam, the dentist will check for cavities and other common oral problems, such as the following:

Gum disease
Bone disease
Oral cancer
Tooth decay

If the dentist or hygienist finds an issue, he or she will speak with you about the best method for treating it.

Because dental procedures can be costly, especially when not covered by insurance, someone at your dental office can also inform you of your out-of-pocket expenses for any needed treatment plans. Some dental offices even offer to finance for expensive procedures.

Most dental insurance covers preventative care, such as twice yearly dental visits. The dentist might also take x-rays to check for problems not visible by the naked eye or by handheld dental instruments. Having regular exams will often help you find and address dental problems before they become more serious. Untreated problems can lead to costly procedures and surgeries, such as root canals and abscess tooth removal or treatment.

Have Your Teeth Cleaned or Whitened

Typically, dentists will clean your teeth twice per year when you go in for your exam. Having teeth professionally cleaned can rid your teeth of plaque and food particles that you may have missed with your toothbrush. Having teeth professionally cleaned can also improve the appearance of your teeth and keep tooth enamel looking brighter.

Some people also opt to have their teeth whitened in addition to regular cleanings. A dental professional can speak with you about whitening options. Whitening can help remove stains from things like coffee or wine. Having your teeth whitened by a professional will often produce better results than using over-the-counter tooth whitening kits from a drugstore. If you do decide to whiten your teeth at home, follow all labels and instructions for the product you purchase.

Schedule an Appointment for Cosmetic Dentistry

If having teeth professionally cleaned and whitened still does not satisfy you, consider cosmetic dentistry. Many people, especially older adults, those who smoke and those with defective enamel, undergo cosmetic procedures. For instance, if your teeth are stained grey or damaged from decay or smoking, you could get dental crowns.

Crowns are synthetic teeth that are placed over your natural teeth. Crowns are typically made of porcelain and have the look of natural white teeth. Crowns can protect damaged teeth and help your smile look overall healthier and whiter.

Dental implants are another form of cosmetic dentistry that can improve your smile. Implants are inserted in the spaces where teeth are missing. Most dental insurance does not cover the full cost of implants, and they can be expensive. However, implants are often a good investment, especially because missing teeth can cause teeth to shift to make up for the extra space in your mouth. Shifting teeth and loose teeth can lead to the loss of even more teeth.

Keeping your smile bright and healthy can help boost your self-esteem. A nice smile can give you the confidence to meet and interact with people. Maintaining good oral hygiene can also prevent gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss, all of which are expensive to treat and can lead to other health concerns.

In order to avoid dental health problems, brush twice daily, floss daily, visit your dentist for a checkup twice per year and have your teeth cleaned. If you desire a healthier-looking smile that cannot be achieved with preventative care, consider teeth whitening and cosmetic dentistry. An Upper Mount Gravatt Dentist can assist you with all your dental needs. Contact them for an appointment.

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