Sometimes it’s important to review the basics.
People do it all the time in sports, in their careers, and in education. We are taking a moment today to review the basics of family dentistry, which is an integral part of our Johnson City, NY practice.
Today, we want to discuss the things you and your family should be doing at home. We also want to remind you of some of the reasons you should be getting professional cleanings a few times each year.
If you haven’t yet scheduled the next dental checkup for yourself or your family, please call Dr. Jerry Farrell’s office today at 607-304-3993.
Good Oral Health Habits at Home
Good oral health requires a lifelong commitment. That starts the day your baby is born.
Before your baby has teeth, you should gently wipe his or her gums with a moist cloth.
When that first tooth comes in, you can use a child-sized toothbrush with soft bristles and a rice-sized smear of toothpaste to clean the tooth. When your baby has two teeth that are next to one another, you should start gently flossing between those teeth as well.
As children get older (often around age 3), they will eventually want to start doing things on their own. This is a great time to show them how to brush and floss correctly … although you may want to oversee how they do this until you are confident they can handle it by themselves.
To brush correctly, your child will need toothbrush with soft bristle and a pea-sized squeeze of fluoride toothpaste. (Coincidentally, this is all you need as an adult, too, no matter how much toothpaste people squeeze out in commercials.)
Your child should be brushing her or his teeth twice per day for two minutes each time. This gives your little one time to clean all their teeth on all sides.
They can finish by brushing their tongue and spitting the toothpaste into the sink. Then they should rinse their toothbrush clean and put it away.
As great as brushing is, it’s not great for cleaning the spaces between teeth. This is why it’s important to floss daily as well. Dental floss can be tricky for small hands. You may need to do this for your children, or you could look into a water flosser as an alternative.
Many people — adults and children — find water flossers more comfortable to use.
Professional Care is Important, Too
It’s also important to make professional cleanings a regular part of your oral health routine.
If you are like a majority of people, you probably don’t floss every day like you should. We aren’t judging. That’s what 60 percent of people told the American Dental Association in a recent survey.
And if you are a parent, then you know that your kids don’t always do things the way that they should.
That means there is a chance that plaque and tartar can build in your family’s mouths. That buildup increases your risk of tooth decay and gum infections.
A cleaning by our dental professionals can make a big difference. We can remove that plaque and tartar from your teeth to help you prevent cavities and periodontal disease from developing.
At the same time, we will be monitoring any changes in your family’s teeth as they get older. We can let you know if a child could benefit from orthodontic care, and Dr. Farrell can provide that treatment in our office.
We can let you know if wisdom teeth may be a problem and remove them if needed. And if we do notice tooth decay or gum disease forming, we can help you and your loved ones get treated before they get out of hand.
Start Early for a Lifetime of Smiles
You want your family to be healthy for life. That should include practicing good oral health from an early age. It’s also something Dr. Farrell and our team would be happy to help you provide.
We can answer questions you have about your daily dental care, and we can help you with our comprehensive professional services.
You can learn more by calling 607-304-3993 or contacting us online to set up your next or your first appointment with us. Either way, we hope to see your family soon!