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As the holidays come to an end and we prepare to return to work and school, there are a few things we can do to help our kids get back into their oral health habits and routines. Like most things health-related, consistency is key, especially when it comes to teaching our kids oral health routines like teeth brushing before bed.

Most of us probably let the reigns a bit loose during the holidays, allowing the odd nighttime teeth brushing to go astray or allowing sweet treats like ice blocks for those hot summer days. But whilst it’s important to enjoy the holidays, it’s just as important for us to continue our kid’s oral health routines to ensure that their teeth and gums are cared for in between regular dental check-ups.

¹A study from March 2022 showed that around 1 in 4 children aged 6-14 had experienced tooth decay in their adult teeth and were more likely to have visited the dentist for a dental problem rather than for a check-up. The importance of our children caring for their teeth and attending regular dental check-ups is to prevent more painful and costly dental problems and emergencies down the track.

Visiting the dentist as early and frequently as possible will set your child up with good oral hygiene habits for life and instil the importance of prevention. Follow our back-to-school oral health care tips to ensure your child’s teeth are cared for between their 6-monthly check-ups.

Kids’ oral health routine tips

1. Brushing teeth twice a day- making sure to brush front to back, side to side, up and down, and round and round. And don’t forget to brush the gums too. You can even set a timer or put your child’s favourite song on to make sure they’re brushing for 2 minutes.
2. Floss once a day. If your child has teeth that touch, flossing will make sure to get rid of any little bits of food and germs that are too small to see between the teeth. Teaching your kids to floss early will ensure their gums are healthy and clean. If you’re struggling to teach your kids how to floss, book an appointment and ask your dentist about flossing.
3. Encourage healthy eating. Pack fruits and vegetables in your child’s lunchbox instead of sugary snacks, and a big water bottle and milk instead of juice to wash away bacteria and protect teeth. Check with your local council if your tap water is fluoridated, this is the best water for our teeth.
4. Book your child’s next dental check-up before school goes back and mark it in your calendar. Don’t forget to check if your child is eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) and make the most of caring for your child’s oral health.

¹https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/healthy-teeth

Most of us know how important it is to care well for our teeth. However, it’s just as important to be aware of the structures which surround and support teeth and to look after them to avoid gum disease and tooth loss.   

Gums provide a protective covering for the bones which anchor our teeth in place. And although we can’t see these bones as clearly as our teeth, without their support our teeth don’t have a secure base. This is why gum disease is one of the major causes of tooth loss.

Gum disease

There are two stages of gum disease – gingivitis and periodontitis. Most of us, at some point in our lives, will experience gingivitis. This can be related to times when we may not have been as careful with our oral hygiene, or we’ve been unwell. Smoking and vaping can also affect gum health because of changes to healthy blood flow and an increase in bacterial plaque.

Gum disease has also been linked with a range of health conditions, including diabetes, strokes and cardiovascular disease. Gum health is also influenced by what we eat and some nutrients are particularly important in sustaining tooth and gum health. Calcium, Vitamins D and C as well as protein, all help to nourish the connective tissues in our gums.

Gingivitis

The name for early gum disease is gingivitis. This is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth and along the gum line. Plaque contains bacteria which causes the immune system to trigger an inflammatory response. This is why gums become swollen and red when gingivitis is present.

Gingivitis can cause changes to the surface layers of the gums, especially where the gum meets the tooth. 

The gums become swollen, red and can bleed, especially when brushing. As the gums swell and pull away, they no longer work like a firm ‘collar’ around the tooth and small pockets can form where food and bacteria settle.  

When gingivitis is in the early stages, it can be reversed by paying more attention to brushing. Be guided by your dentist in the most effective technique. For many people, the temptation can be to avoid brushing because the gums are tender and may bleed, though these are signs that more brushing is needed, not less. Brushing at least twice each day with a soft toothbrush, using a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing daily helps to remove bacteria and plaque which cause gingivitis. 

Some people also like to use a tongue brush which can help to remove bacteria from the tongue.  

Periodontitis

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can progress to a condition called periodontitis. This means that there is inflammation and infection in the periodontium – the structures and tissues which hold the teeth in place. Spaces can form in between the tooth root and the gum, and these periodontal pockets form the ideal catchment for food and plaque to build up. Over time, these pockets become larger, the periodontium becomes damaged, and bone can be lost. When this happens, the bone can no longer hold the tooth so it becomes loose and may need to be removed.

Unfortunately, once a tooth loses its stable anchor, it’s very difficult to save. Regular dental checks and preventing gum disease in the first place helps to retain teeth throughout the lifespan.   

Our 4 tips to avoid gum disease

There are a few things you can do to care well for your gums, most of them centred around removing the plaque which causes gum disease.

• Focus on cleaning your whole mouth by brushing your gums as well as your teeth. Pay attention to brushing where your gums and teeth meet and angle the brush at 45°. 
• Use a soft-headed toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush regularly and when you’ve recovered after being unwell.
• Clean between your teeth with floss and/or interdental brushes. This will help to remove food from nearly half the surface area of your teeth where brushing can’t reach. 
• See your dentist regularly – book an appointment today.  

Many of us see the New Year as an opportunity to make positive changes and to improve our general health and well-being. Although we’re all individuals and entitled to our own personal goals, every one of us benefits from having a healthy mouth and investing a little time and energy into our oral health.

Oral health practices rely on repetition and frequency, in the same way that many health-related routines do. It is this daily attention to our teeth and gums which makes all the difference in reducing the risk of developing problems.

Along with this, regular dental check-ups, every 6-12 months, help to identify early problems before they become more complex, especially as we age. Booking regular check-ups is also a great way to support overall good health and keep us on track throughout the year.

Improve your oral health with our 10 New Year resolutions

1. Make it easy to care well for your teeth. Arrange your bathroom and vanity so your toothbrush, toothpaste and floss are in plain sight. Stock up on tooth cleaning supplies if you use more than one bathroom. You’re less likely to leave brushing ‘until later’ if everything you need is close.
2. Brush your teeth at least twice each day with fluoridated toothpaste. Buy yourself a new toothbrush for the New Year and choose one with soft bristles and a small head. Brush your tongue as well, by using either your brush or a tongue scraper.
3. Floss in between your teeth at least once each day. A great time to do this will be just before you go to bed. Be gentle as you guide the floss between your teeth and avoid ‘snapping’ the floss into place.
4. Make an appointment to see your dentist every 6 months. Book a check-up and mark it in your calendar. While you’re there, speak with your dentist about your brushing and flossing technique and don’t forget to book your next appointment before you forget.
5. Make a decision to stop smoking or vaping. Each is damaging to oral and general health and the New Year is a great time to make changes.
6. Try to cut back on sweet drinks like soft drinks, cordial, energy drinks and juice. These all contain sugar which increases the risk of tooth decay. Drink water instead, preferably fluoridated – check with your local Council.
7. Review your stress management habits and make positive changes. Many dentists are reporting that they’re seeing increased numbers of patients who are clenching and grinding their teeth because of stress. Custom-made mouthguards help to stop tooth damage from this unconscious habit.
8. Stop using your teeth as tools, especially if you’re in the habit of opening packets with your teeth or using your teeth to hold something when your hands are full. Each tooth is precious and when one is lost or damaged from an undue force, there’s a flow-on effect on the other teeth.
9. Create a new habit of always rinsing your mouth with plain water after drinking tea and coffee. This will help to prevent your teeth from becoming stained. Speak with your dentist about teeth whitening options if you’d like a whiter smile.
10. Make a deal with yourself that you will stick with your new oral health regime. Like other habits, it can take a couple of weeks for new routines to become established.

So, book an appointment and start the New Year off with a plan to look after your mouth as it deserves to be cared for.