Children’s Preventative Care

Whether you’re the parent of a child or a young person yourself, this page will provide you with some useful material on preventative measures for looking after teeth from an early age.

At Wedmore Dental Practice we aim to protect new teeth as soon as they are present. Initially, this may be achieved by some routine oral health advice from one of our qualified team members. However, when the adult teeth start to make an appearance, at around six years of age, there is sometimes a need for a little more protection, known as fissure sealants. This procedure is not only extremely simple but it’s also non-invasive.

Once all the teeth are through, it is often necessary to fix braces to prevent the teeth from ending up crooked. It is much easier to maintain good health in straight teeth than teeth that are not straight. Whilst the brace is fixed, it becomes crucial that the teeth are cleaned properly and regularly, therefore, below you will find some simple advice on how to maintain the oral health of teeth with braces fixed to them.

Having Fixed Braces

So you’ve just had your new braces fitted and feel like you’ve got so much in your mouth you’re wondering how your going to eat, drink and more importantly talk! Well the good news is, within a short period of time your mouth will adapt to the braces and you will soon forget they are there- honestly! However, the bad news is, bacteria (plaque) and food will not forget your braces are there, as they just love the little crevices where they can hide, without being disturbed! Unless this plaque is removed, damage to the teeth and gums will occur, which may only be visible once the braces have been removed. Follow our simple and effective advice below so that you’ll not only have lovely straight teeth but you’ll also have gleaming stain and cavity free teeth!

Plaque is the Problem!

The bands and brackets fixed to your teeth cover and protect that portion of your tooth as long as they are firmly in place. However, the bands, brackets and wires make a shelf around the outside of the teeth and make it harder for your toothbrush to clean the spaces between your gums and the attachments. If you regularly fail to clean your teeth, the gums may swell and bleed, and make them even more difficult to clean.

Plaque is a sticky, white substance that collects on your teeth. It is made up of bacteria, food, and saliva. If plaque gets trapped on your teeth and around your braces, it can cause swollen sore gums, bad breath, marks on your teeth, and cavities. Plaque can also discolour your teeth and make them look yellow. Permanent stains, decay and gum disease are the results of poor oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment. The braces don’t cause these problems. Failure to brush and floss properly around the braces results in staining, decay and swollen gums.

When to clean your teeth and braces

• Brush after every meal and at bedtime. If you cannot brush right away, be sure to at least rinse well with water until you can brush. This is the most effective way to reduce plaque build-up. Occasionally mouthwashes are beneficial- ask your dentist or orthodontist for advise.
• At least once a day, brush your teeth and braces until they are spotlessly clean and bright, then carefully floss between the teeth. Most patients do this extra brushing at night before going to bed.

How to clean your teeth and braces

1. Start on the outside of the upper teeth with bristles pointing at a 45 degree angle toward the gum
2. Gently scrub with a circular motion, each tooth at a time using approximately 10 strokes.
3. Do the same on the inner surfaces of the uppers.
4. Brush the chewing surfaces last.
5. Start on the outside of the lower teeth and repeat this process. (Remember, direct the brush at an angle towards the gum!)
6. Rinse your mouth out by swishing water around your mouth and teeth.
7. Inspect your teeth and braces to make sure they are spotless.

You may have to brush and rinse two or three times before all the plaque is gone. This may sound difficult, but remember, they are your teeth and you want to have them for the rest of your life.

Remember

• It takes more effort to brush now that you have braces
• Braces are a natural food trap
• Plaque and food left on your teeth and braces will look awfully bad to your friends
• With a little effort it is possible to properly clean your teeth and braces

The advice given above is intended as basic guidelines only and doesn’t take into account any specific problems. If you have any further queries regarding your braces then please ask for advice at the practice by phoning 01934 713013.

Fissure Sealants

Children tend to eat and drink regularly throughout the day, which puts their teeth are at high risk from sugar and sticky foods which build up in the crevices of their teeth.

Plaque is often found on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which are sometimes difficult to reach with a toothbrush. However, if plaque is not removed regularly from the teeth it can produce acids which attack the tooth enamel creating pits, which is tooth decay.

By coating the teeth with a plastic material it makes it much more difficult for plaque to stick to the grooves on the biting surfaces of the teeth. This reduces the risk of forming cavities and prevents tooth decay

Fissure Sealants are most effective in reducing cavities in children with newly formed teeth. An application of a plastic sealant is not only very simple and painless, but does not require removing any tooth.

Please ask for more details at the surgery.