You brush and floss daily, right? We sure hope so. But are you sure that your daily oral care routine is effective? Children, teens, adults, and seniors face different dental challenges as the mouth grows, changes, and endures decades of service. In today’s blog, you’ll learn which practices are suited to different age groups, as well as the foundation for proper brushing and flossing. So what should a home oral care routine include? Together, we can create your ideal oral homecare routine.
At Thomas F. Brown, DDS, Family & Sedation Dentistry, we treat patients of all ages, as well as entire families. Our team of Naperville dentists invests in ongoing training, education, and technology, so we can offer patients what we consider to be the best of modern dentistry. Call (630) 369-3120 today to schedule your checkup, cleaning, second opinion, or consultation.
A Firm Foundation for Families: The Fundamentals of Brushing & Flossing
Babies, kids, teens, and adults of all ages need to take care of their teeth, and the most basic homecare routine begins with brushing. In general, twice-a day brushing should occur after breakfast and after dinner. (Folks with braces or aligners should brush after every meal.) To reduce risk of enamel erosion, wait 30 minutes after eating and drinking before brushing.
Floss once a day, at minimum, after dinner but before evening brushing. Though only 30% of us floss daily, the habit keeps teeth healthier. Research shows that people who floss daily may live up to six years longer than those who don’t. Flossing is essential for removing plaque, food debris, and tartar from between teeth. Brushing your teeth after flossing ensures that what you dislodge is removed by the toothbrush and by rinsing your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash or water.
Let’s break the oral health routine down by age groups so you can know exactly what you should focus on.
The Adult Routine: Maintenance Mode
What should an adult’s oral care routine include? Some of the biggest issues we note with patients is that they need to focus their oral homecare on good gum health and plaque control, and many say that maintaining fresh breath is a struggle.
If you attend six-month checkups and know that damaged teeth are not an issue, add a tongue scraper to your brushing sessions. A scraper, found in the toothbrush aisle of your local pharmacy, removes plaque trapped in the grooves on the surface of your tongue. Less plaque means fresher breath and fewer dental and gum problems.
Also, replace your soft-bristled toothbrush every three or four months, and after all illnesses. Bristles fray and weaken with use, so regularly replacing your toothbrush can keep brushing as effective as possible.
Also, drink water all day long. Refrain from sugary and acidic beverages as much as possible, and don’t sip on them throughout the day. The longer sugars and acids are in contact with teeth, the more damage you may sustain. Consume limited amounts of sugary or acidic beverages quickly or use a straw. The best option is to simply drink water.
For Kids: A Strong Start for Smiles
What should a child’s oral care routine include? Teaching your kids about brushing and flossing can be loads of fun. Kids need a soft-bristled, age-appropriate toothbrush (the right size) and just a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste. Kids under three should use un-fluoridated paste since they tend to swallow toothpaste. Once your little one can spit and rinse, fluoridated toothpaste can be used.
Purchase a toddler toothbrushing timer or sing the Alphabet Song twice while the child brushes (note that for kids under age seven, parents should brush their teeth). The goal is to brush teeth for two minutes. If your child is old enough you/they can add daily flossing. Purchase pre-threaded flossers to make the task easy.
Since tooth decay (cavities) is the most common chronic childhood disease, we aim to protect young teeth. At our office, we often suggest dental sealants and fluoride treatment to help deter cavities.
For Seniors: Gentle Care for Good Oral Health
What should a senior’s oral care routine include? Many people over 65 develop dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, as a side effect of medications. Dry mouth increases the risk for cavities and gum disease, so seniors should use alcohol-free oral products and drink water all day. You may also want to keep a synthetic saliva on hand, like Biotene, to use when your mouth feels dry.
Dentures should be relined every few years to ensure proper fit. If you take great care of your dentures and oral health, you may avoid getting painful sores. And if you’re tired of wearing dentures, ask about dental implants.
Patients with diabetes or heart disease need to see the dentist every three to six months, as advised by the dentist. Gum disease risk is higher with advancing age, and if you develop gum disease of any type, we will recommend a deep dental cleaning. We can help you reclaim good oral health.
Let’s Create Your Custom Oral Care Routine
What’s outlined in this article is just the beginning, a baseline with general tips. We recommend you schedule an appointment so that the dentist can take a detailed history with new X-rays and images, perform a comprehensive oral health exam, and advise you on the best products and practices to keep your oral health in excellent shape for years to come. Call us now at (630) 369-3120 to schedule or reserve your dental appointment online.