How to Care for Your Teeth: Tips for Kids, Teens & Adults

by | Jan 31, 2023 | Dental Tips

Taking care of your teeth is important for many reasons—from preventing cavities and gum disease to maintaining your overall health. If you want to keep your teeth healthy, it’s important to ensure they’re as clean as possible. And the only way you’ll be able to do that is by following a good oral hygiene routine at home—and making sure that your kid continues this same routine once he or she is all grown up! Here are some tips for teaching yourself and your family about how to care for your teeth.

1. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste

The best way to care for your teeth is with regular brushing and using toothpaste with fluoride. This helps remove plaque and food particles, so they don’t harm your teeth or gums. Also, it’s the most effective way to prevent cavities. Toothpaste should be used while brushing twice daily, in the morning and at night.

In addition to brushing with fluoride toothpaste, you can also rinse your mouth with water that has added fluoride. This is called “fluoride rinsing.” Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel. It’s recommended as a way to protect your teeth against decay.

2. Floss every day!

Flossing your teeth once a day helps remove food particles that are stuck between your teeth, so they don’t harm your teeth or gums. Not only does this help you avoid cavities and gum disease, but it can also help you avoid periodontal disease.

To floss properly, use about 18 inches (45 cm) of floss at one time and gently slide it between two teeth using a “sawing” motion. Be sure to get rid of any food particles that are stuck between your teeth. If you have trouble reaching some areas with traditional dental floss, try using an interdental brush or water pic instead.

3. If you have braces, special brushes can clean your teeth more easily

If you have braces, it can be difficult to properly clean your teeth. Traditional toothbrushes may not be able to reach all the nooks and crannies where food particles and plaque can accumulate. However, there are special brushes available that are specifically designed for cleaning teeth with braces. These brushes have angled or curved bristles that can reach around the wires and brackets of the braces, effectively cleaning the teeth and helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It is important to use these special brushes in conjunction with flossing and regular visits to the orthodontist to ensure optimal oral health while wearing braces.

4. Start at the gum line on the back of your upper teeth for the best cleaning

When brushing your teeth, starting at the gum line on the back of your upper teeth can provide the best cleaning. This is because the gum line is where plaque and bacteria tend to accumulate the most. By starting at the gum line, you can effectively remove these harmful substances before they have a chance to harden into tartar. Additionally, starting at the gum line can also help to stimulate blood flow to the gums, promoting healthy gums. It’s also important to use gentle circular motions, rather than harsh scrubbing when brushing the gum line to avoid irritation or damage to the gums. Remember to brush all surfaces of your teeth and to use toothpaste containing fluoride.

5. Eating a healthy diet is important to keep your teeth and gums healthy

Eating a healthy diet is an essential component of maintaining good oral health. The food we eat can have a direct impact on our teeth and gums. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can provide the necessary vitamins and minerals for strong teeth and healthy gums. On the other hand, a diet high in sugar, acid, and processed foods can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, foods that are high in calcium, such as dairy products, can help to strengthen teeth and protect against tooth loss.

Eating a balanced diet to keep your teeth and gums healthy involves:

  • Avoiding sugary foods and drinks, such as soda, candy, and cookies/cakes.
  • Limiting snacking between meals, because can cause tooth decay over time.
  • Eating fruits and vegetables daily to get the vitamins you need for good oral health.
  • Drinking plenty of water throughout the day, not just at meal times or when you feel thirsty (especially after eating). This helps wash away food particles left behind after eating, so they don’t stick around long enough for cavity-causing bacteria to grow on them!

6. If you’ve just eaten something sugary, wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth

If you’ve just eaten something sugary, it’s important to wait before brushing your teeth. When we eat sugary foods, the bacteria in our mouths produce acid as a byproduct, which can soften and erode tooth enamel. Brushing your teeth immediately after consuming sugar can cause the toothbrush bristles to scrub away the weakened enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity and decay.

Instead, it is recommended to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. During this time, the saliva in your mouth will neutralize the acid and re-harden the enamel, making it less vulnerable to damage during brushing. Additionally, rinsing your mouth with water after eating sugary foods can also help to wash away food particles and neutralize the acid.

7. Don’t scrub too hard while brushing

When brushing your teeth, it’s important to avoid scrubbing too hard. Using too much force while brushing can cause damage to the gums, tooth enamel, and even the roots of your teeth. It can cause receding gums, exposed roots, sensitivity, and even tooth loss.

Brushing with a gentle touch and using a toothbrush with soft bristles is the best way to effectively remove plaque and bacteria without causing harm. It’s recommended to use a circular or gentle back-and-forth motion when brushing and to brush all surfaces of your teeth including the fronts, backs, and chewing surfaces. Brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time, along with flossing, is the key to maintaining good oral hygiene.

8. Choose a flavored toothpaste or mouthwash if it helps you brush or floss longer or better

If you’re having trouble with toothbrushing or flossing, try flavored toothpaste or mouthwash. If you’re younger than 12 years old, use a kid-friendly flavor like bubblegum or fruit punch. If you are older than 12 years old, use an adult-friendly flavor such as cinnamon or mint.

Flavored toothpaste and mouthwashes can help make the task of brushing or flossing easier and more enjoyable for everyone because they contain sweeteners that mask the taste of the fluoride in the product being used. This can also improve overall oral health by making it more likely for people to regularly care for their teeth daily and encourage them to brush longer than if they didn’t have access to something more appealing than plain white paste!

Taking care of your teeth will help them last for a lifetime!

The best way to practice good oral hygiene habits is by starting at a young age and continuing them throughout life. If you want to care for your loved one’s smile, visit us at Damonte Ranch Dental Care. Dr. Ryan Waring is here to help you and your family keep a healthy grin. Call us at (775) 329-8886 or request an appointment online!

We’re committed to providing the best dental care possible, and we love our community and are proud to be a part of it. If you need help with your dental needs, we’d love to help!