See Dental Experts Regularly
Don't wait until it's too late! See your dentist and dental hygienist twice a year for a professional cleaning and checkup. Trained to prevent oral diseases, dental professionals will find the hidden problems you may not be able to see, keeping you aware of the little...
Oral Cancer
Oral cancers include cancers of the lip, tongue, gums, floor of mouth and other parts of the mouth and throat. The use of tobacco and heavy consumption of alcohol are major risk factors for oral cancers, while sun exposure is an additional risk factor for cancers of...
The importance of floss
Don't skimp on the floss. Use a long piece, about an arms-length, that provides enough grip to access the spaces between every tooth, front and back. Wind up most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the middle finger of the other. Use...
Dental Fluorosis
Mottling of tooth enamel can occur if young children get too much fluoride (dental fluorosis). It is usually barely noticeable and also occurs in areas without water fluoridation. By using fluoridated toothpaste carefully, the chances of dental fluorosis can be reduced.
Best drink for toddlers.
• Water should be the main drink and toddlers should drink tap water throughout the day. • For babies under 12 months, tap water should be boiled and cooled before drinking. • Most of tap water supply has fluoride in it. Fluoride protects teeth from decay. • Remember...
Children and sweet drinks
Tap water is the best drink for children. Children do not need any sweet drinks to have a well-balanced and healthy diet. Sweet drinks include soft drinks and cordials, flavoured milks, flavoured mineral waters, sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks and fruit...
Thumb Sucking
Most children should grow out of thumb or finger sucking between 2 and 4 years of age. If sucking continues beyond 6 or 7 years of age, dental problems may begin such as: Buck teeth - excessive sucking can push the front teeth forward so they stick out over the...
Don’t put baby to sleep with a bottle.
When babies fall asleep with a bottle some milk stays in the mouth and on the teeth. This can cause tooth decay. Once your baby has finished feeding remove the baby from the breast or bottle. Avoid leaving a baby to feed from a bottle without supervision. They...
Prevention of tooth decay with healthy eating.
Limit sugars and processed foods to mealtimes (rather than between meals). Choose snacks such as cheese, natural yoghurt, fresh fruit and vegetables, dry biscuits, nuts and wholegrain bread. Choose water (particularly tap water) and plain milk both with and...
Denture Care
Food debris and plaque need to be cleaned from all denture surfaces daily. Clean your dentures using a soft toothbrush and mild soap and water or denture paste. Standard toothpaste is not recommended. Clean your dentures over a hand-basin half filled with water to...
