Don’t skimp on the floss. Use a long piece, about an arms-length, that provides enough grip to access the spaces between every tooth, front and back. Wind up most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the middle finger of the other. Use your thumbs and index fingers to grip the floss, and gently slide it between each tooth down to the gum line. Move the floss against the tooth in an up-and-down motion before you go on to the next area. As you move from one tooth to the next, unroll and grip a fresh section of floss to avoid transferring the plaque back on to your teeth. (more…)
• Water should be the main drink and toddlers should drink tap water throughout the day. (more…)
Tap water is the best drink for children. Children do not need any sweet drinks to have a well-balanced and healthy diet. Sweet drinks include soft drinks and cordials, flavoured milks, flavoured mineral waters, sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks and fruit juices. If parents do provide fruit juice, it should be diluted with water and limited to meal times to reduce risk of tooth decay.
Most children should grow out of thumb or finger sucking between 2 and 4 years of age. If sucking continues beyond 6 or 7 years of age, dental problems may begin such as: (more…)
