Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Your child’s teeth and smile are important for more reasons than just aesthetics. Your child needs to develop good dental habits, and proper care of their teeth and gums begins with you. Caring for your child’s mouth includes brushing and rinsing, routine dental exams, and any necessary dental treatments. This can include fluoride, extractions, fillings, or braces and more.

Your child’s overall good health is affected by healthy teeth and gums. Poorly developed and teeth can result in poor nutrition, painful and dangerous infections, and problems with speech development, not to mention self-image.

Proper care of a Child’s Teeth

• The child's teeth and gums should be brushed at least twice daily and especially before bed.
• Your child should see a dentist every 6 months.
• When your child gets permanent teeth, they should begin flossing every night before bed.
• When your child reaches the age of 6, braces and other orthodontic appliances may be needed to prevent long-term problems.

For a pediatric dental visit, contact Dream Smile Dental or call (781) 330-0900.

Dental hygiene is directly related to your overall physical health. But how can you be sure you are taking proper care of your teeth, mouth and gums? Generally, your teeth and gums should not hurt or bleed, after brushing; your breath should be fresh for a few hours after brushing and eating breakfast. The easiest way to prevent gum disease is to clean your teeth properly, here are some tips:

1. Use the right mouthwash.

If you use alcohol free mouthwash twice a day, you'll slash your risk of gum disease by 60%. Ideally you should aim to rinse for about 30 seconds with a mouthwash that has microbial protection to fight plaque and gingivitis.

2. Floss before you brush.

You should floss before you brush your teeth, rather than after. That way you'll be able to brush away any food that was stuck between your teeth to prevent bacteria from growing.

3. Use the right toothbrush.

Soft or extra soft bristles are best. Using a medium or hard-bristled toothbrush scratches the tissue of your gums away over time, exposes the root surface underneath and leads to possible bone loss.

4. Brush smart.

To really clean your teeth, aim to brush them for a full two minutes. Also brush your tongue and cheeks as well as your teeth to improve the removal of harmful bacteria. Be sure to replace your toothbrush about every three months.

For more oral health tips, or for routine visits, contact Dream Smile Dental.

Open communication with your child is the best way. Talk to your child about your personal experiences with dentists, proper brushing, and other oral hygiene practices so your child can relate to what you're saying. Your child's oral health sometimes depends on the attention you give so make sure that you give your child enough time.

Most people only visit the dentist when there is a problem with their teeth. The mentality is "My teeth don't hurt. Why go to a dentist?" However, visiting a dentist regularly can actually help to prevent tooth pain before it becomes a problem.

The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist every six months. During these regular checkups, your dentist will perform an oral cleaning, X-rays, and a physical examination of your teeth. These measures are taken to prevent tooth decay and catch potential problems early on, before they get out of hand.

You may be saying, "But I take good care of my teeth". This may be true, but despite your efforts to keep your teeth clean by brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash, there are still areas of your teeth that you cannot effectively clean. Visiting a dentist regularly can help to ensure that these areas are cleaned properly preventing tooth decay that often leads to tooth pain.

Tooth pain is an unnecessary situation. The dentists at Dream Smile Dental can ensure that your teeth are healthy and well cared for. However, tooth pain can sometimes be the least of your worries if you continuously skip visits to your dentist. Tooth pain is usually a sign of tooth decay. Although you may not realize it, this can be a very serious situation. Decaying teeth often develop pus-filled pockets called an abscess. An abscess, if addressed early on, can be cured by either antibiotics or by treating the affected tooth. If left untreated, you may risk losing your tooth which can lead to an unhealthy bite as well as digestive problems

Visiting your dentist twice a year can help to prevent problems with your teeth in the future. It also ensures that any existing problems are addressed before they become serious. If you have not seen your dentist recently, consider making an appointment today.

Dental hygiene, also known as oral hygiene, is the process by which preventative dental care is provided to avoid dental emergencies. At the core of dental hygiene is the in-home dental care regimen you perform. Your at-home regimen is supplemented with professional preventative dental care provided by dentists and licensed dental hygienists.

While you are responsible for day-to-day dental maintenance, dental hygienists, along with general dentists, family dentists and cosmetic dentists, play an integral role in preventative oral care.

Tooth brushing is fundamentally important, though it alone will not remove the calculus (also called tartar or dental plaque) that builds up over time. Calculus must be removed to lower your risk of toothaches, cavities, periodontal disease or even the loss of all your teeth. By removing calculus, you can reduce your chances of needing root canals, tooth extractions, dental bridges, crowns and more.