When it comes to the health of your family, oral hygiene probably doesn’t make it to the top of your priorities. Dental health is often overlooked until problems arise, such as toothache and tooth loss. However, dental issues can be prevented if you take good care of your oral health to begin with. Luckily, many serious dental problems can be solved by changing your habits and looking after your oral hygiene. Here are a few ways to improve your family’s dental health and keep them out of the dental chair for longer.
Schedule a Regular Dental Examination
Trips to the dentist aren’t always pleasant, and some people downright hate the idea of sitting in a dental chair while someone’s rooting around in their mouth. Fortunately, scheduling a regular dental appointment can stop your family from needing to get checked more often. Dental professionals can help assess your oral cavity, spot issues, and offer treatment and advice. By identifying potential issues early on, you can avoid them turning into major problems. Northwick Manor Dental Practice has a team of dental professionals who can provide general dentistry treatments for the whole family. For more information about their services, visit northwickmanordental.co.uk.
Establish a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
You can keep your family’s dental health in tip-top condition by introducing a good oral hygiene routine. By implementing good habits while your children are young, they will learn the importance of looking after their teeth early on which will help set them up for life. As soon as your child’s first milk tooth appears, you can begin brushing it. Under adult supervision, children under the age of 3 should brush their teeth twice a day with a smear of child-friendly fluoride toothpaste. Brushing should be 2 minutes long, and it should be encouraged at night and on one other occasion during the day. To help children keep track of how long they brush, you can place an easy-to-use timer in the bathroom.
Encourage Them to Eat Healthily
Healthy eating and good dental hygiene often come hand in hand, and a diet filled with nutritious foods can help keep both the teeth and body healthy. Calcium-rich foods, such as milk and yogurt, can help strengthen teeth and bones, while vitamins A, C, D, and K are great for teeth and gum health. Opting for low-sugar snacks can also help improve your family’s overall health.
Encourage Your Family to Drink More Water
Most people are aware of the many benefits of keeping the body hydrated. Drinking more enables the body to function properly, prevents brain fog, and helps maintain the temperature of the body. Not many people associate hydration with good oral hygiene. However, there are many benefits when it comes to oral health too. Increasing your intake of water can decrease your risk of dental bacteria and plaque buildup. Drinking more can help rinse away food debris after meals, reduce tooth discolouration, prevent bad breath and stop cavities from forming.