Recommendations

Brushing

  • Use mouthwash before brushing;
  • After brushing, use dental floss (at least once a day);
  • Use toothpaste with fluoride;
  • Brushing should be done in the first 15 minutes after each meal;
  • It should also be made every morning (after getting up) and evening (before sleep);
  • The brush should be of average to low roughness, never rough, and be replaced every one and a halve months, with a three month maximum;
  • Always brush all the surfaces of the teeth;
  • Keep the teeth clean, mainly along the gum line, avoiding bacteria deposits and plaque.

Baby teeth

  • Remember that your child likes to play with the brush but can’t really clean their teeth. Brushing, to be successful, needs to be performed with control of fine movements, only developed at 7 or 8 years old, the same age when writing and hand dexterity increase.;
  • Always brush, after getting up, going to bed and after meals;
  • Limit snacks between meals, especially sugary food and drinks;
  • Avoid sodas because they result in advanced tooth erosion;
  • Be careful with sticky food, since the stickier the more prone to causing cavities (for example: caramels, candy, …);
  • Make sure to explain to your child not to ingest toothpaste;
  • Use a small portion of toothpaste. You can use the size of your pinky nail as a guide;
  • The toothbrush bristles should meet every surface of the teeth with soft rotating movements;
  • Apply fluoride to the child’s teeth every 6 months and use, daily, toothpaste with fluoride.

Other recommendations

  • Visit your dentist regularly, at least once a year;
  • Have a balanced diet and replace sweets with more nutritious foods like cheese, fruits and vegetables;
  • Discourage the habit your child may have of sucking his/her thumb – it may cause problems in teeth positioning and jaw growth;
  • Avoid smoking;
  • Apply sealant to all teeth with sulks or fissures, whether temporary or permanent (application of a resin layer over the chewing surface, protecting from bacterial aggression). 80% of cavities appear in sulks and fissures and only 20% on smooth surfaces.
  • Fluoride only acts on smooth surfaces, therefore it only protects against 20% of cavities.