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Dental self care is important and good oral hygiene keeps your mouth fresh and healthy. Good oral health habits are already adopted in childhood and they carry throughout life. Dental health is an important part of people´s general health. On this page you can find advice for oral care in different ages.
Oral diseases are bacterial diseases that can be prevented with good oral hygiene. Oral diseases can increase or contribute to the onset and worsening of general diseases. According to research can oral diseases, like periodontitis, have a connection to for instance cardiovascular diseases, rheumatism and diabetes. General diseases and their medication can also weaken oral health.
While you are expecting a child it is ideal to change the family habits into healthy ones, so that they provide the best possible conditions for the child's health and wellbeing.
Pregnancy is a good time to take care of oral health with special care. Vomiting caused by morning sickness can wear away the surface of the tooth and eating snacks frequently can cause tooth decay. It is also important during pregnancy to take good care of oral health with daily cleaning routines, as the mouth affects the overall health of the expectant mother. It is also important for the child's dental health that the parents' teeth are clean, oral hygiene routines are in order and there is no untreated cavities in the mouth.
Parents expecting their first child can go to a free assessment of their oral health and care needs. This can also be made as a video appointment. The visit does not include a dental examination, but the assessment is done based on a discussion. Both parents receive individual instructions from a dental professional to enhance their oral health. If needed, the parents are instructed to make a dental appointment that is subject to a charge.
Others than couples expecting their first child are recommended to book a dental appointment if it has been a long time since the last check-up or there is need for dental services.
Caries, i.e. the bacteria that cause cavities are contagious. Nearly everyone has these caries bacteria in their mouth and they get easily transmitted from an adult to a child via saliva.
All twenty milk teeth erupt in the mouth by the time the child is about 2 and a half years old. The incisors erupt when the child is about between 4–12 months old, the canine teeth at about 1 and a half–2 years old, first molars at about 1 year old and other molars at about 2 and a half years old.
Breastfeeding is good for the child's oral and dental developmet. Breastfeeding for the first 6 months of the baby's life supports the development of occlusion muscles in the jaw.
It is recommended to continue part-time breasfeeding until at least 12 months of age alongside additional solid foods. If the child is over 1 year old and breastfed frequently in between meals and at night, the child's diet is heavy on sugary products and their dental hygiene is maintained poorly the risk for cavities in the milk teeth increases.
If the child needs a pacifier in order to fall asleep or for consolation, a flat pacifier is recommended. It is better to let the child suck on a pacifier than their thumb as it is more difficult to wean them off from sucking the thumb.
If a baby bottle is in use, the baby should be weaned off the bottle by the time they are one year old. It is good to practice drinking from a cup already from six months old.
It is recommended to wean off the pacifier at the latest by the time the child is 2 years old.
Booking a dental appointment can be done either electronically by leaving a contact request via online symptom questionnaire or by calling the regional service numbers on weekdays Mon-Fri 07:30–15*:
*The information of your MyTeam can be seen in the paragraph MyTeam in Maisa. If you can´t check your team in Maisa, you can contact any oral health care MyTeam by telephone and we will guide you to the right place.
Online services
Adults' oral health services
Oral health services for children under school age
Children adopt their parents' health habits since young age. Parents' are the role models to their child regarding brushing the teeth and eating habits. Parents are responsible for their child's oral heatlh. Children under school age are invited to dental check-ups at the ages of 1, 3 and 5 years or more based on individual needs.
Adult brushes the child's teeth in the morning and in the evening with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste suitable to the child's age:
Electric toothbrushes are good for brushing children's teeth.
It is good for the child to practice brushing their teeth, but the parent should do brush check-up with care. Pay special attention to the back teeth.
A child needs adult's help with brushing the teeth until 10 years of age. Only then their fine motor skills have developed enough to brush independently.
Children under school age are invited to dental check-ups at the ages of 1, 3 and 5 years or more based on individual needs.
Parents book the appointment. You can book an appointment via Maisa customer portal or by phone.
Transition from milk teeth to permanent teeth happens approximately by the time the child has reached puberty. Teeth erupt into the mouth healthy and without cavities. Newly erupted teeth are susceptible to cavities and the importance of good oral hygiene is emphasized. By taking care of oral health the erupting teeth also stay healthy.
Schoolchildren are invited to oral health appointments in grades 1, 3, 5 and 8. The periodic check-ups are carried out for the entire age group. More frequent check-ups are also possible based on child's needs. Oral health check-ups for schoolchildren are carried out by oral hygienists and dentists.
Young people studying at Vantaa and Kerava's educational institutions are entitled to seek treatment within the wellbeing services county of Vantaa and Kerava. 17 year olds receive a letter by mail inviting them to book an appointment for an oral health check-up. Students book the appointment themselves.
School-age children oral health services
Student oral health services
Oral health can decline with age. Good mouth and dental self-care and regular dental check-ups are key to maintaining a good oral health.
Oral health is an important part of your overall health. Salivation lessens with age, and this can additionally be caused by multiple medicines, sugary foods and drinks and alcohol. Lack of salivation causes dry mouth which in turn increases the risk for cavities and inflammations in the mouth.
When functionality declines cleaning the teeth and dentures becomes the responsibility of a close family member or support staff.
Dry mouth feels unpleasant and is often also painful and sore. Eating and speaking with a dry mouth is difficult and dentures can easily start rubbing.
Read more on Duodecim's website (in Finnish).
Booking an appointment can be done either electronically by leaving a contact request via online symptom questionnaire or by calling the regional service numbers on weekdays Mon-Fri 07:30–15:00*:
Oral health care appointments are available based on the assessment of care needs and urgency. Along with the oral health care check-ups an individual treatment plan will be made. This includes defining the care needs, schedule and timing for the next appointment.
Emergency care
Oral health services for adults