Keeping your children’s teeth clean and healthy is very important for ensuring they have a life free of dental problems. Infant tooth decay is on the increase as more and more underdeveloped teeth are being exposed to sugary drinks and sweets, causing dental health problems that can last a lifetime.

There are several easy ways to ensure your child’s teeth are as healthy as possible. Firstly, it is very important to ensure that they learn the importance of cleaning teeth properly everyday. Good habits learnt when young can carry on throughout their life and give them a better chance of avoiding decay and gum disease. Teach your child how to brush and floss correctly, making the activity fun and never forcing them. Making your child resent brushing their teeth can lead to problems in the future. Flossing can also start at an early age, which again can give them an advantage later in life.

Avoid giving your child sugary drinks and sweets. Fresh fruit is far better for the teeth than sugary juice and sweets which can cause decay. Teach your child to drink from a cup early and try to wean the off the dummy as early as possible as this can cause dental problems. It is also a good idea to discourage thumb sucking as this can lead to alignment problems later in life.

Finally, always make sure your child has regular check ups with a City of London dentist. Encouraging your child and making sure they are not afraid of the dentist will lessen the chances of any dental phobia causing damage later in life.

Your City of London dentist talks about the advantages and disadvantages of available mouth rinses. Often used to mask bad breath and tastes, prevent plaque accumulation, and help protect against dental decay, some mouth rinses can also be harmful. Most mouth washes don’t wash well. Mouth rinses are divided into therapeutic, cosmetic, or both. Cosmetic mouth rinses are found over-the-counter (OTC) and are helpful for removing food debris, masking bad breath, and reducing bacteria in the mouth. Fifteen OTC mouth rinses have been investigated, and have been shown to work for 10 minutes, with none working after 2 hours. Therapeutic mouth rinses also have the above benefits; however contain additional ingredients that can be protective against several oral diseases. In contrast to cosmetic mouth rinses, therapeutic mouth rinses are controlled by a government body. These mouth rinses are classified into either: 1) anti-plaque or anti-gingivitis mouth rinses; and 2) fluoride mouth rinses that fight cavities.
Your City of London dentist suggests that the use of mouth rinses is up to you, and what your needs are at the time. Although mouth rinses can curb bad breath for 2-3 hours, they are of limited benefit in the prevention of dental decay and gum disease(s). They can mask bad breath, however bad breath can be to sign of something bad occurring in your mouth. You should always brush your teeth, use a fluoride toothpaste, floss, and visit your City of London dentist regularly!

It is not difficult to maintain good oral hygiene; all you have to do is to follow these tips on oral hygiene. These tips are not difficult to follow; and you need not use any expensive equipment, potions or lotions to follow them.Bleeding gums is a problem most complaints dentists in London receive from their customers. However to cure this problem, you only have to examine the way you brush your teeth. Brushing away from the gums exposes the roots of the teeth; this is why it is better to use a gentle ‘up and down’ motion when brushing.

Frenzied side to side brushing motion also causes recession of the gums. Try to clean the areas between your teeth using floss; pieces of food found here only decays and will otherwise be detected only with toothache or gum disease. Even smoking is bad for gums as over time, it affects the deterioration of gums.

If you have sensitive teeth, I suggest you use specialized toothpastes to prevent sensitivity. Try rinsing with warm water if you have sensitive teeth and just resent rinsing with cold water.

Bad breath develops with poor oral hygiene. Though an antiseptic mouthwash improves your breath, drinking lots of water is an easier option as it prevents the mouth from drying. Also make it a point to clean the back of your tongue using your toothbrush and to dislodge pieces of food in your teeth to prevent it from rotting in your mouth.

Most important, visit your dentist regularly. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to consult professionals as we are here to look after the single set of adult teeth you have to maintain throughout your life.