Brush morning and night with a recommended fluoridated toothpaste (see our recommended fluoride levels here)
Floss nightly for children under the age of 10 a parent/guardian will need to do this.
Drink tap water
Limit snacking during the day and move towards dairy based, savoury low sugar whole foods for morning tea and afternoon tea.
Make water available when child is eating and encourage a drink of water after eating
Avoid high sugar foods and drinks
Start wiping your baby’s mouth out with a slightly damp cloth or gauze after every feed or at least morning and night. This will start to get your child use to having something in their mouth to clean.
When the first tooth comes through brushing with a baby toothbrush morning and night will be required. At this age just using water on the brush is all that is needed.
Avoid using high sugar sweetened agents on your baby’s dummy or in a bottle. Breast milk, formula or boiled water only.
Teething can start from as early as 3-4months for some children. Remember this is a natural body process. If your child seems irritable or upset during teething offer cool cloths or teething rings to chew on. Lots of cuddles and interaction to keep their mind occupied. The use of Panadol or Nurofene if required.
Brushing can be very challenging at this age and it is normal for children to fight the need to brush.
Perseverance and gentle brushing can help. Stick to the same routine morning and night.
Laying your child down in your lap can make brushing a lot easier for you and your child.
Use 2 brushes, 1 for you and another for your child to hold.
Brush for as long as you are able to up to 2 minutes. A 10-30 sec brush is better than nothing at all. At this age we are trying to build a routine
You can now use low level fluoridated toothpaste.
Try singing to your child or role playing at the dentist to make it fun. There are multiple apps available to help your child with brushing.
Avoid high sugar snacks and drinks. Continue to avoid fruit juice, cordials and soft drinks.
Ween from bottle use and start using sippy cups for milk.
Water or milk only for drinks.
If your child is using a dummy, start to encourage no dummy use during the day or awake time, and work on a plan to remove dummy completely.
Brushing morning and night by parent
Use of 1000ppm fluoridated toothpaste
When any teeth are touching flossing is required nightly by a parent. Using either a floss handle or normal floss in a supine position.
Continue with water and milk as main drinks
Avoid high sugar snacks and drinks and limit snacking during the day
Using adult strength 1450ppm level fluoridated toothpaste
Parent to continue to assist with night time brushing until child is over the age of 8
Flossing nightly with handle, parent to assist if required
All dummy and digit sucking should be ceased. If not please discuss this with Dr. Law
Maintain healthy low sugar diet
Limit sugary drinks
Braces are required to correct bite issues, although braces themselves do not damage tooth structure if you do not look after them properly you may have staining or cavities when your braces are removed. Here are some basics tips to help look after your teeth while having orthodontic treatment.
Rinsing with water after eating meals or snacks can help to dislodge any food trapped under your braces and washes away some of the sugary acid.
Brushing morning and night will take a little longer than it did before braces. This is because we need you to clean along the gum line first at 45 degrees and then brush the top and bottom of the braces. Using a smaller thin manual brush or electric toothbrush. Take your time slow down and always look in the mirror.
Flossing is still required daily although can be tricky, the use of superfloss or floss threaders can help to guide the floss under the wire easier. Water flosses can be great at removing larger food debris from around your brackets.
The use of interproximal brushes (Christmas tree brushes) can also help to clean around you brackets and under any hooks on your braces.
Avoid all acidic and sugary drinks while your braces are on.
At your next routine oral health care appointment with Aurelia she can go through all these techniques with you.
Remember to keep up with your 6 monthly Oral health care appointments.
More more information, please visit https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/caring-for-braces/