Hygiene, hygiene, hygiene! It seems like that’s all we dentists talk about! Personal dental hygiene is the first barrier to decay and damage. With overall good dental hygiene, your child will avoid decay, damage, pain, and many dental procedures down the road.
Why is dental hygiene so important?
Personal dental hygiene is stepping stone number one to overall dental care. Brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings and exams are all part of dental hygiene. With proper dental hygiene, your child is working to prevent a whole host of different issues and annoyances like cavities, gingivitis, tooth decay, plaque and tartar buildup, and bad breath.
What does my child need to do to keep up their dental hygiene?
Regular brushing and flossing removes plaque from the surface of, and in between, the teeth. Plaque provides a perfect home for bacteria to grow, which can cause decay and damage if it isn’t removed regularly. Brushing should be light and repetitive, gently removing the plaque from the teeth. Brushing too hard can cause tooth sensitivity or damage to the gums. Brushing takes care of the surface of your child’s teeth, but flossing helps reach those nooks and crannies in between the teeth. Little particles of food can easily hide here and can cause damage between the teeth. Flossing helps remove both plaque and food particles from between the teeth, and should be done once a day, preferably after the last food is consumed for the day.
The other important part of personal dental hygiene is getting your child’s teeth checked and cleaned by a professional. Even with the best personal dental hygiene habits, some build-up on your child’s teeth can’t be removed by a regular toothbrush. This is where Dr. Pagé and her highly qualified team comes in. Our dental hygienist will give your child’s teeth a professional cleaning; removing things like tartar from the teeth and leaving the entire mouth squeaky clean. Dr. Pagé will also check on the growth of your child’s teeth and mouth to make sure that everything is on the right track.
How often should I go to the dentist for a cleaning?
Your child should go to the dentist at least every six months. With our flexible scheduling, we’ll be able to fit you and your child in when it’s convenient for you, so you never miss a check-up!
