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home | Oral Care Topics | youth/teens

Youth/Teens

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What is the best way for me to prevent cavities in myself and in my children?

There are some very simple steps that you can take in the prevention of cavities that can save you much pain and money in the long run. Here are a few of the major ones.

Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss daily when brushing.
Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking. Limit the amount of sugars you and your children eat.
Check with your dentist about use of supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth, and about use of preventive resin restorations (stronger than sealants) applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay.
Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral examinations.

At what age should my child first visit the dentist?: Generally speaking, when a child has all of the primary teeth in place it is a good time to have the first oral exam. The first cleaning and check-up appointment can follow a few months later, depending on the child`s maturity and readiness to accept the treatment. The goal is to have your child’s first dental experience be a positive one.

How often should I change my toothbrush?: Most dental professionals recommend that toothbrushes be replaced every three months, or more frequently if you are an extremely vigorous brusher and you notice the bristles begin to flare out. Toothbrushes should also be replaced after you or family members have had a cold, flu, or other upper respiratory infections.

Can children get too much fluoride?: Yes. If excess fluoride is ingested it can result in a condition known as fluorosis. Fluorosis can cause varying degrees of staining and irregular enamel formation in your child`s permanent teeth. Most municipal water supplies are fluoridated at safe levels (1.0 ppm). If your water source is an independent well, or if you drink only bottled water, you will have to investigate the level of fluoride that the water contains. Another potential source of excess fluoride is fluoridated toothpaste. Children should use a "pea" size dab of fluoridated toothpaste and expectorate as much as possible. Parents should always supervise young brushers.

What are dental sealants?: The areas most prone to decay are the deep developmental grooves in the biting surfaces of molars and premolars. Dental sealants are transparent or opaque acrylic materials that can be applied to these surface grooves to effectively "seal-out" harmful bacteria and significantly reduce decay. Ask your dental professional if sealants are an option for you or your children.

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