Mouthwash is a great addition to one’s oral hygiene routine of flossing and teeth brushing and can enhance the effectiveness of both these daily habits. Whether you have a child or know someone who does, the question of whether children should use mouthwash or not and if so, what age, may have crossed your mind. After all you see children’s mouthwash in the oral care section of the grocery store.

Like with adults, mouthwash can be beneficial to a child’s oral health. It can also pose dangers if it is used incorrectly and if mouthwash specifically designed for children isn’t used.

When Should Children Start Using Mouthwash?

The American Dental Association recommends children start to use mouthwash at age six. The ADA cautions against children younger than six to use mouthwash as they have not yet mastered the motor skills needed to swish the liquid in their mouth without accidentally swallowing it. Young children also are not capable of voluntarily spitting the mouthwash out. Children ages 6-12 can use children’s mouthwash under close supervision. After age 12, children can use mouthwash themselves and can begin using adult mouthwash.

Children’s Mouthwash vs. Adult Mouthwash

Children’s mouthwash is different from adult mouthwash as it often doesn’t contain alcohol. Some varieties may also not have fluoride. It is the higher risk of accidental swallowing of the alcohol by children that this safeguard is in place. In addition to the lack of alcohol and its unpleasant stinging, children’s mouthwashes also come in flavors that kids would enjoy, such as bubble gum and watermelon.

Most adult mouthwashes contain alcohol, though there are alcohol-free varieties available as well as mouthwashes that have no fluoride.

A Note on Mouthwash

Mouthwash isn’t meant to take the place of flossing and teeth brushing. Some adults and children think mouthwash will give them the clean, fresh mouth necessary for healthy teeth and gums. Mouthwash is to complement flossing and teeth brushing, not be a substitute, by adding an additional layer of clean and freshness.

Teeth brushing and flossing scrape off and dislodge stuck food particles from the surface of teeth and in between teeth. This helps prevent them from decaying and turning into cavity-causing and gum disease-causing plaque. Mouthwash is to be used after flossing and brushing to rinse out the remaining germs and food particles.

For older children and adults, mouthwash can be used throughout the day when flossing or teeth brushing aren’t an option, to help rinse away debris after eating.

Good oral hygiene involves daily teeth brushing and flossing with the option of using mouthwash. It is a good idea to start kids early with the daily ritual of flossing and teeth brushing. The earlier a child starts taking care of his or her teeth and gums, the lower the risk they will have of future oral health problems as adults.

Regular visits to the dentist every six months is also a crucial for both children and adults in maintaining the health of their teeth and gums. It is recommended that children have their first dental cleaning and exam as soon as all their baby teeth have erupted, or come through the gums.

If it has been more than six months since you or your child has been to the dentist, contact your dentist today to schedule an appointment. Your dentist will also be able to discuss the best mouthwash options for your family.

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Everyone knows that have good oral hygiene is important, not only for your appearance, first impression, but also for your overall health, as well. Did you know that poor oral care can also lead to a variety of dental and medical problems? It can lead to not only gum diseases and infections but also to bone loss, heart disease, stroke and more serious medical conditions than you might think.

How to Practice Good Oral Hygiene

The American Dental Association has published guidelines available today so that everyone can develop good oral health habits, and they are very easy to follow. It starts with purchasing both a toothbrush and toothpaste that bear the ADA seal of approval. Good oral care begins with brushing teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and then again at night. Brush for at least two minutes per session.

Because just as much bacteria reside on your tongue as there are on your teeth, you should also be sure to brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. Between brushing, be certain to floss your teeth daily, especially after a meal. Flossing not only gets food particles out from between your teeth, it will also reduce the amount of bacteria that builds up around your gums. According to the ADA, flossing can also lengthen your lifespan by reducing the possibility of infections.

The American Dental Association also recommends that you have regular visits scheduled every year with your dentist or dental hygienist. You should have regular examinations at least once every six months to maintain good oral health. Should a condition develop that will warrant more visits, your dental care provider will let you know.

Good Reasons for Regular Dental Visits

First and foremost, regular dental visits, combined with good oral care are the most effective way to prevent oral cancer. If you schedule regular visits for dental cleaning, your dentist can also screen you for symptoms of oral cancer. It can be cured if caught early enough.

Gum disease is an infection that affects the gums and bones in your mouth, and is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. If it is caught early, it can be reversed. Recent studies have linked heart attacks and strokes to gum disease, so a good cleaning every 6 months will also reduce your chances of heart disease, strokes and gum disease.

Halitosis, or bad breath, can also be prevented with regular dental care, and good oral hygiene, because it is often caused by infections in the gums and teeth, or by bacteria. And, finally, your dental hygienist can also help to remove stains from tobacco, coffee and tea through tooth whitening, resulting in your best smile ever. And, should you need veneers or other cosmetic dentistry done, your regular checkups are an excellent way to discover the options open to you.

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Even those who follow the strictest oral practices are vulnerable to dental emergencies. They can happen anytime and anywhere. You can never tell when you will get injured on the mouth by accident or if a previous dental treatment will act up. This is why one of the factors most people consider before selecting the best dentist is emergency dental care.

All about Dental Emergencies

For some clinics, attending to oral emergencies poses no inconvenience at all. They evaluate the damage as soon as possible so that they can reduce its risk of permanency.

If you are looking for the right dental clinic for you, make sure you select one offering emergency dental care. You can be sure that they will cater to your needs at any time of the day. This is because they understand that patients will need urgent attention when a dental emergency occurs.

Plus, you can be sure this clinic can accommodate many emergency needs within the same day. Just make sure to call their office beforehand so they can prepare. Note that these clinics also accept walk-in patients.

Here are some of the dental conditions that require emergency dental care services:

Denture Repair and Relines

Toothaches

Broken Fillings

Broken Bonding

Painful Gums

Avulsed Teeth

Abscesses

Swellings

Root Canal

Chipped or Broken Teeth

Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Loose Crowns

In many cases, most dental clinics offer same-day repair of dental materials. Their skilled technicians work efficiently to make restorations to make sure you can smile confidently once more. They also offer services that will surely relieve pain and discomfort.

All about Denture repair

One of the popular emergency oral care services is denture repair. People who wear dentures can unknowingly damage this by eating hard food or if they accidentally damage it by putting it aside. This can be a problem because these devices help them perform daily activities.

Dentures help them eat and speak better and it improves the teeth’s appearance. Those who have missing teeth no longer have the sunken and collapsed appearance in the mouth area. People would no longer feel embarrassed or frustrated.

There are three types of dentures: full dentures, fixed partial dentures and removable partial dentures. Make sure the clinic you will select offers a wide range of denture options like denture repair and relining. These oral services help people achieve healthy and youthful smiles once more.

Ask them about the materials they need for the denture. Make sure they use flexible tooth or gum colored clasps that can blend with your existing teeth. These usually produce the best cosmetic and functional results.

It would be better if the clinic offers complimentary consultation for denture repairs and other dental services like dental implants, teeth whitening, and wisdom teeth extraction. If you are able to select the best clinic for your oral needs, you are sure to have the highest quality dental services.

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Dental care is very important because the gums and teeth are directly connected to the blood stream and your teeth should be your first line of protection for good health. Researchers have found what appears to be a connection between gum disease, heart disease, stroke and even premature births.

Normally, in the case of gum disease is the body’s inflammatory response to the presence of bacteria associated with dental plaque. The theory suggests that inflammation in the gums become inflamed and unchecked, the infection of the gums is distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the infection may have an impact on other inflammatory diseases that occur in the body.

While this relationship may exist, studies have not positively identified the reason for how or why it occurs. The practice of oral hygiene is important because it prevents the accumulation of dental plaque. It makes the point for two of the most common diseases found in the mouth, tooth decay and gum disease.

Dental plaque is a soft whitish deposit that forms on the tooth surface that is formed when bacteria (germs) combines with food and saliva. Plaque contains many types of bacteria and can only be removed by practicing good oral hygiene.

Regular oral hygiene visits to the dentist are vital to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, and to prevent potentially serious problems. This article will help you learn how to keep your smile looking its best using the best oral hygiene practices.

• Visit the dentist twice a year. If you smoke, have gum disease or diabetes, consider more frequent visits.
• Brush your teeth after meals and snacks with an electric toothbrush if possible because it aids in removing plaque and massages the gums.
• Floss daily to remove plaque and reduce bacteria.
• Talk to with your dental hygienist at your next cleaning to learn where you had the most build-up of plaque so you can focus more on those areas.
• Brush your tongue. It is highly recommended by dentists because bacteria hides in the bumpy surface of the tongue. The bacteria feeds on the remnants of food which is the main cause of bad breath or halitosis.
• Stay away from sugary drinks and treats. Sugar promotes the growth of plaque. Eat foods high in calcium and Vitamins C and D.
• Use mouth rinses that  contain chlorhexidine, an anti-microbial agent, which aids in the removal of excess bacteria.

The control of plaque is the key to maintaining healthy gums and also overall good health. It is up to you to follow the golden rules of good oral care: regular visits to the dentist, reduce the amount of sugary foods you eat, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily.

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In a nutshell, the notion of “dental care” refers to taking good care of your teeth, gums and tongue in order to prevent oral issues that may arise in the long run. Otherwise stated, dental care is a prevention method – on the other hand, it can also refer to treating the already existing diseases of your teeth and gums, either by repairing or by replacing the damaged teeth. Despite the fact that dental care and oral health are essential for an overall healthy body, many people neglect their mouth and visit the dentist only when they have an urgent problem, rather than by visiting him on a regular basis.

Nonetheless, having good dental health and maintaining like that in the long run can turn out to be quite expensive – while some medical treatments are fully or partially covered by your insurance companies, others are not and you will have to pay for them out of your own pocket. This is why getting a dental insurance is a great choice, especially since most insurance companies offer tailored dental plans that are personalized to meet your needs.

You can say your mouth is truly healthy when your teeth look nice and your mouth smells healthy: the teeth must be free of debris, bad breath should not be an issue and your gums must look pink and they must not bleed while brushing (this may be a sign of gum disease). Your dentist should be able to offer you tips and hints on how to properly flush your teeth, as well as advice on the best oral hygiene techniques.

How to Maintain Proper Oral Health at Home

As many studies have revealed, poor dental health is linked to some potentially fatal diseases, like heard disease or stroke – those with poor oral health are also at high risk of diabetes. Fortunately, all these diseases (and many others!) can be easily preventing by simply brushing your teeth at least twice a day (in the morning and in the evening), flossing on a daily basis as well as by visiting your dentist at least twice a month.

In addition to this, the brushing and flossing techniques are also important since many people do not know how to properly clean their teeth. The quality of the products also plays an essential role, as they can not only treat existing gum diseases (like periodontal disease), but they can also whiten your teeth by up to 5 shades or more, depending on the type of teeth whitening product and its ingredients. Fluoride products for dental care are a great choice for healthy teeth – both fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash can work like magic on your teeth!

Poor Oral Health and Its Effects

As mentioned above, poor oral health is directly linked to serious diseases – in addition to this, those who do not take proper care of their teeth also expose themselves to tooth decay, cavities, gingivitis and various other diseases. It is believed that oral cancer is also linked to poor oral health (although it is mainly influenced by other factors, like smoking).

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