Today, Thursday, 20 March, is World Oral Health Day, and while most of us may not be planning on throwing a dentist-themed party (although if you are, we’re not judging!) it’s still a good opportunity to think about whether we’re making the best decisions when it comes to looking after our teeth.
So, what are the main things we should be doing to maintain good oral health?
Celine Woodthorpe, oral health trainer for East Sussex County Council, shares her tips to take away this Oral Health Day.
Bitesize tips for good oral health
- Brush twice a day – in the morning and in the evening
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Brush for two minutes
- Remember to spit toothpaste out and don’t rinse your mouth after
- Visit your dentist regularly – prevention is better than cure!
These may feel like relatively easy goals for many of us, but if you’re a parent to a young child, the “battle of the brush” can become an intensely stressful situation that you might not feel ready to face day in, day out.
It’s important to persevere, and Celine has some great tips to help ease the tension and make sure there are healthy, happy smiles all round.
Start early
Did you know that you should start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their first tooth appears? This might feel quite young but it’s important to get them used to the feeling of toothbrushing early, so it becomes part of their daily routine. You can also use a finger brush to massage their gums before their teeth come through, so they become more familiar with different textures in their mouth. If you don’t have a finger brush, you can use a damp flannel to massage their gums instead.
Don’t overdo it
Make sure there’s not too much toothpaste on your child’s brush. Celine says it’s a common mistake, and can often put children off brushing. Children’s toothbrushes have coloured areas marked out on the bristles to show the amount of toothpaste you should use. For children under the age of three you should only use a rice-grain-sized amount. For children over three, you should use a pea-sized amount (using the coloured bristles as a guide).
Sensory sensitivities
If your child struggles with the sensory overload that toothbrushing can cause, there are toothpaste alternatives that may help. For example, flavourless toothpaste or non-foaming varieties are available. Also, it’s important to check how hard the bristles are on your child’s toothbrush. If they feel quite rough, it might be worth replacing with a softer option to get your child used to the sensation of brushing first.
Set the clock
Two minutes isn’t that long, but it can feel like a lifetime for children who don’t want to brush their teeth. Use a visual aid, like an egg timer or sandtimer, to make sure your child knows what’s expected. There are also a lot of great apps which play music or show a short video to help pass the time. Celine recommends the Brush DJ app, which is free to download and has no in-app purchases or adverts.
Visit the dentist regularly
You should take your child to the dentist by the time they turn one and then have regular appointments every six months. Think of it like an MOT for your car – regular check-ups can prevent more serious issues occurring. Don’t wait until there’s a problem.
If you need urgent dental help for yourself or your child and cannot find a dentist, the Sussex Dental Helpline is a local phoneline where they can book you an urgent appointment with an NHS dentist. Call 0300 123 1663 Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Alternatively, email kcht.dentalhelpdesk@nhs.net for more information.
Face your fears together
It’s quite common for people to have fear or anxiety around going to the dentists. Often this nervousness can be passed down through family members. But why not make an active choice to try to stop the cycle? Going to the dentist regularly means you can experience a check up without it being associated with any discomfort. Reading age-appropriate books with your child about visiting the dentist and what to expect can ease their nerves too, and means you both go along feeling more calm and confident.
Remember, creating healthy toothbrushing habits early helps support your child’s overall wellbeing. So make it a part of your child’s everyday routine and you’ll both be grinning – not only this Oral Health Day, but all year round.
To find out more, visit the World Oral Health Day website.
You can hear more practical advice from Celine about looking after your children’s teeth on this South Downs Health and Care podcast.
