It would be nice if we could just believe all the TV ads that we hear from an early age, and know that if we brushed our teeth with certain products, or used certain mouthwashes, all our dental needs would be gone.   Let’s face it – that just isn’t reality!  There is no one thing that will get you to that star-power smile, but there are certainly some steps you can take to make that smile happen, and it starts early in life!

From as long as your memory will go back in time, you may remember your parents telling you to brush your teeth right after a meal – and you might even remember your parents helping you brush.  If you do you’ve got a head start!  Starting optimal dental health practices begins at birth, and even before birth, with a calcium-rich diet for your mother. Babies needs to have their gums and teeth cleaned with a warm, damp gentle washcloth; as teeth appear, the gums and baby teeth get stroked with soft little brushes or a finger pad made especially for babies and young toddlers, then graduating to a child’s brush.  Most children do not really get to an effective brushing pattern until they are about 6, so parents need to help them until sure they can do their teeth cleaning effectively by themselves.   Parents are also instructed not to put a baby to bed with a bottle, as leaving milk or juice on the teeth can cause cavities.

Regular dental check-ups should begin when your child is a year old, and continue throughout life.

The standard dental exam frequency is twice a year visits for cleaning and exam.  The build-up of plaque on the teeth can be more aggressively tackled by qualified hygienists and dentists, using the proper tools. Any problems, such as cavities, teeth spacing issues, staining, wisdom teeth impaction, gum disease, etc., can be treated very effectively, with minimally invasive treatments if caught early.  And, of course, as you go through life, you still brush your teeth right after meals if at all possible and floss at least once daily.   Don’t forget your tongue either – than can harbor harmful bacteria nurtured by sweets stuck to its surfaces!

Nutrition is key!

Healthy nutrition for optimal dental health should also start early, with foods rich in calcium, such as green leafy vegetables, low-fat milk products, and appropriate quantities of the 5 major food groups.  Sugar, either natural or processed, is your teeth’s worst enemy and the leading cause of tooth decay.  Some carbohydrate foods can be retained on teeth for long periods of time, and eventually will break down into sugars, leading to decay.  We all need carbohydrates, but when all possible, make them the natural kind, and avoid heavily processed carbohydrates.  Eating fruits instead of juices decreases the exposure of your teeth to sugars as the hard fruits will actually help cleanse the teeth as eaten, and even stimulate your teeth.   Foods that might stick more to your teeth, or between your teeth, should be kept to a minimum.

Keep your smile intact by wearing mouth guards if you are in contact sports!

You don’t want that smile you have worked so hard to achieve to be knocked out!  Trauma to your teeth can also be a breeding ground for harmful cavity or gum disease-causing bacteria to thrive.  Smoking and chewing tobacco are also habits to avoid, as the teeth staining resulting from these habits can be difficult to remove.  You can be the best advocate for your oral health by taking care of your oral cavity daily, no exceptions!