Keeping Your Family’s Smiles Safe From Home
April 13, 2020
Now that you’re spending more time home, and attending checkups and cleanings isn’t possible, your homecare routine is essential for safeguarding your smile from cavities, gum disease, and other concerns. In today’s blog, we’re looking at what kids and adults can do to protect their smiles, and when you should contact your Kansas City, MO, dentist for treatment.
Caring for Little Smiles
Children need routine care to avoid cavities, premature loss of baby teeth, and for older kids, the risk of gingivitis. When your little ones wake up, helping them brush their teeth for two minutes. Use a rice-sized bit of fluoride toothpaste when you do. Make sure they clean their teeth for two minutes, and maybe find a fun app or podcast to walk them through the process or time them. Before bed, they should brush again and also floss in between each tooth. For smaller kids, a floss pick could be easier to handle.
Keeping Your Own Smiles Bright and Healthy
You also need to brush before bed and when you wake up for two minutes using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. We suggest a toothbrush with soft bristles, as brushing too hard with medium or hard bristles could inadvertently damage outer enamel. By caring for your teeth each day, you limit the risks of tooth decay and gum disease until we can see you again for routine checkups and cleanings.
Along with better brushing and flossing habits, your entire family can benefit from healthier food choices. Try to cut back on sugary foods and drinks, and instead consume more fresh fruits, veggies, cheeses, nuts, whole grain crackers, and sugar-free gum. Healthier items deprive harmful bacteria of the sugar and starch particles that feed them and lead to plaque buildup.
When to Call Your Dentist
Remember that we’re also offering emergency dental care for people in need in our community. If you break or crack a tooth, or if you begin to suffer from persistent and painful toothaches, then contact our team. We can offer treatment, often in one visit, to address these concerns and prevent the loss of your natural teeth. We also follow strict health and safety measures to help protect our team members and patients, such as regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and making sure our waiting rooms only handle one patient at a time. If you have any questions about better homecare habits, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Family Dentistry?
Our team wants to make sure you and your family have the knowledge you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy while at home! To learn more about our approach to restorative and emergency care, then schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.