Oral Hygiene BasicsLake Forest, CA
The content below is for informational purposes, Meshia Azad DDS may not perform all procedures listed on this page, for more information please call us.
At Meshia Azad DDS, we help patients throughout Lake Forest, CA to stay in excellent oral health. With a focus on Pediatric Preventative care, Dr. Azad takes the time to get to know each of our patients, creating a plan for lifelong oral health. We recommend that you visit our 92630 dental office for a teeth cleaning twice a year so that we can remove plaque buildup and tartar, keeping your child’s mouth healthy and clean. To schedule an appointment, call (949) 625-1570. In the meantime, here are steps that you can take at home to keep your child’s mouth healthy.
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How to brush teeth properly
As a Lake Forest dentist, we know that how your child brushes their teeth is just as important as how often they brush them. It is important that a soft toothbrush that will not irritate your gums or cause the enamel on your teeth to erode, is used. Many people make the mistake of thinking that a hard toothbrush is necessary for keeping teeth clean, but this is not the case. As long as your children brush correctly a soft toothbrush will work equally well without damaging your teeth. Be sure to brush teeth in a circular pattern, starting at the gum line and working your way towards the center of your mouth. This will move food particles, bacteria, and plaque away from your gum line. Brush teeth in quadrants and be sure to brush each section for at least thirty seconds. While brushing your child should apply even pressure but not be too aggressive. We recommend that teeth are brushed three times a day – morning, after lunch, and before bed. This will keep the mouth clean without causing irritation from over-brushing. Additionally, be sure to buy a new toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles are frayed or the toothbrush is stained or smelling.
Flossing is essential for teeth and gums.
At Meshia Azad DDS, we remind our patients that it is critical to floss on a daily basis. If you live in the 92630 area and your child has not been to the dentist lately, we invite you to schedule an appointment so that we can clean their teeth and remove the plaque and bacteria from hard to reach places. Afterwards, it is up to you and your child to floss on a daily basis to remove food particles and plaque from in between your teeth. If they remain in place, you can develop gum disease which is both uncomfortable and dangerous to your oral and overall health. Gum disease occurs when plaque forms underneath the gum line and not flossing can lead to this. If your child does not particularly enjoy flossing, buy a plastic flossing tool that you can hold and throw away once done. This makes it easier to get the job done.
Selecting the right mouthwash
When you purchase mouthwash, it is important to be sure that it is sugar-free. Carry a bottle of mouthwash with you and rinse your child’s mouth with it after meals, drinking a soda, eating sweets, etc. As a Lake Forest, CA dentist office, we understand that it is difficult to brush more than a couple of times per day. Rinsing your child’s mouth, however, is relatively easy, and everyone has time for it. Taking this simple step can help to reduce your child’s risk of cavities and gum disease.
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How to prevent tooth decay
Dr. Azad prevents tooth decay every day by helping our patients to have clean and healthy teeth. Tooth decay starts when plaque is left on the teeth, and the acid inside of it starts to eat away at the enamel. Keeping teeth clean by removing plaque, therefore, prevents tooth decay. Simultaneously, at home you can continue to brush your child’s teeth and floss after meals. If you do not have anything with you, rinse their mouth with water. This will help to remove some of the loose food particles that may be in their mouth or to remove some of the sugar from your child’s teeth. You should also eat a healthy diet since everything that you eat is directly placed onto your teeth.
How to select the right toothbrush
Patients of our California pediatric dentist office are given a toothbrush at each visit. We recommend that you use it for three months and then replace it. When purchasing a toothbrush, look for a soft one that will not irritate your child’s gums or erode their enamel. Otherwise, we suggest a battery operated or electric toothbrush since they can give the best clean. The toothbrush head rotates while moving the brush around, helping to break up more plaque for the cleanest possible teeth.
Food and drinks that you should avoid
As a children’s dentist office, we recommend that your children avoid drinking too much soda, juice, or anything that contains a lot of sugar. They should also stay away from candy, desserts, and particularly sour candy. Additionally, acidic fruit is bad for their teeth. Any time that you have a diet that is high in sugar and starch it is bad for your teeth because the bacteria on your teeth will thrive in this environment. Simultaneously, when your children eat foods that are highly acidic, it can lead to enamel erosion. At Meshia Azad DDS, we recommend that your family eats a diet high in green leafy vegetables, lean protein, dairy, and nuts since they can help to remineralize and strengthen teeth. For more tips on how to eat a mouth-healthy diet, call (949) 625-1570 and schedule an appointment to speak with Dr. Azad.
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