Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for a healthy smile and your overall wellbeing. At Cotteswold House we want to make sure everyone knows how to look after their smile, so here are some tips for every age group to help keep your teeth and gums healthy:
Children (0-6 years old)
- Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they appear, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. As well as looking after their precious teeth, this helps teach children healthy habits to last a lifetime. While flavoured toothpaste may be tempting to encourage a reluctant child to open wide, be mindful that the majority of adult products are minty-fresh so getting used to this feeling early on is a helpful part of the process.
- Brush your child’s teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time.
- Floss your child’s teeth once a day, starting when they have two teeth that touch.
- Take your child to the dentist for their first checkup by their first birthday, and then every 6-12 months after that. We advise parents to bring young children along to their appointments so they become familiar with the environment and the dentist can check their teeth at the same time.
Adolescents (7-18 years old)
- Continue brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time.
- Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Avoid sugary drinks and snacks. When you do have sweet treats, cleaning afterwards can help protect your teeth from damage.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports, where appropriate.
- See your dentist every 6-12 months for checkups and cleanings, more often if you have any pain or concerns.
Adults (19-64 years old)
- Continue brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time.
- Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Avoid sugary drinks and snacks. Cleaning after treats and meals will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- See your dentist every 6-12 months for checkups and cleanings.
- If you have any risk factors for gum disease, such as smoking or diabetes, or any concerns see your dentist more often.
Seniors (65 years and older)
- Continue brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time.
- Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Avoid sugary drinks and snacks and, as mentioned above, cleaning your teeth after sweets will help protect them from damage.
- See your dentist every three to four months for checkups and cleanings.
- If you have any dry mouth, talk to your dentist about ways to relieve it.
Oral hygiene is important at every age. By following these tips, you can help keep your teeth and gums healthy for life.
Cotteswold House Dental Care is a family-owned dental practice that offers a relaxing and friendly atmosphere that gives you complete peace of mind whilst protecting your smile. Our in-house services include general dentistry, children’s dentistry, dental implants, dentures and bridges, whitening and composite bonding, advanced treatments such as root canals and oral surgery, Invisalign, and many more. We welcome referrals from other practices as well as self-referrals, and offer direct access for our BlancOne teeth whitening treatment.