Instructions for dental self care
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.
Oral cleaning and care
- Brush your teeth in the morning and evening with fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. In particular, the gum lines should be cleaned carefully but gently.
- Clean the spaces between your teeth every day.
- Eat regular and healthy meals. For dental health 4-6 meals a day is ideal.
- Take a tablet or a gum that contains xylitol after the meal.
- Drink water for thirst. Sports, energy, soft and light drinks as well as juices are acidic and cause tooth erosion.
- Tobacco, snuff and other drugs expose you to oral cancer and other oral problems.
- Go regularly to dental check-ups.
Expecting a child and families with babies
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.
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.
School-age children and young people
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.
- Brush the teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, in the morning right after waking up and in the evening after the last meal.
- It is good to do interdental cleaning once a day with dental floss, toothpicks or interdental brushes.
- Regular meal times keep the hunger in control. Teeth can't handle constant snacking. When you eat 5 meals a day (breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, evening snack) there is no need for other snacking.
- Water is the best drink for quenching your thirst. Energy drinks, soft drinks and juices cause cavities. Also sugar-free light drinks wear away the surface of the teeth and are therefore damaging.
- Regular consumption of xylitol 3–5 times a day after eating prevents cavities in he teeth.
Elderly
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.
- Teeth are to be brushed in the morning and evening with unfoaming fluoride toothpaste.
- Interdental cleaning is to be done daily with an interdental brush or toothpicks.
- Dentures are to be brushed with their own brush in the morning and in the evening using hand soap or hand dishwashing liquid. Toothpaste makes scratches on the dentures.
- Dentures are to be disinfected once a week with an effervescent tablet or solution.