Oral care tips for the whole family

Every age has its own oral care needs. A toddler needs a parent's help, a teenager needs reminders and a mouthguard, and an adult needs to hold on to good habits through a busy week. Our family dentist team at Oak Tree Dental sees patients of all ages, from one year old, so here is what we suggest for each stage at home. For step-by-step technique, see our oral hygiene basics. To see how regular visits protect your teeth, read about preventative dental care.

Toddlers and young children

Your child's first teeth need care from the day they appear. Brush them gently, use only a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste, and ask us what amount is right for your child's age. Young children cannot brush well on their own, so a parent should help or check each time. We see patients from age one, which makes it easy to start visits early, before there is a problem.

School-age children

Children at this age want to brush on their own, and they often still need a reminder to do it well. Pick fixed times, such as after breakfast and before bed, and stay close by for the first few years. Check that they reach the back teeth. Fluoride toothpaste continues to help, and sports often begin around now. If your child plays a contact or ball sport, ask us about a mouthguard.

Teenagers

Busy schedules, sugary drinks and sports can all affect teen teeth. Encourage brushing for two minutes morning and night and cleaning between the teeth every day. Cut back on soda, sports drinks and energy drinks, and wear a mouthguard for sports. If your teen wears braces or clear aligners, ask your dentist how to keep them, and the teeth underneath, clean.

Adults

Work, family and stress can push dental care to the bottom of the list. Brush for two minutes morning and night, clean between your teeth each day and keep your dentist visits on the calendar. Bleeding that continues is worth mentioning to your dentist, since it can point to gum disease. Mention it to your dentist if you grind or clench, or if your jaw feels sore when you wake.

Older adults

Needs can change over time. Medicines, health conditions and wear on the teeth may call for different care, so tell your dentist about changes in your health or medicines, a dry mouth, sore gums or teeth that feel loose. Keep brushing with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth, and ask about tools that are easier to hold if your hands tire.

One routine for the whole household

A shared routine helps everyone stick with it. Brush together when you can, keep spare brushes where each person can find them, and replace each brush about every three to four months. Your dentist tells you how often each person should visit, because it can differ from one person to the next.

Brushing and flossing at every age

The basics are the same for everyone in the family, and they work best as a daily routine.

Brush for two minutes, morning and night

Brush in the morning and again before bed, giving each session a full two minutes. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste, and brush along the gum line in small circles. Pressing harder does not clean better and can irritate your gums.

Clean between your teeth

Floss, small interdental brushes and water flossers reach the gaps that bristles cannot. Choose the tool you will use each day, and ask your dentist which one suits your mouth.

Food, drinks and dental health

What your family eats and drinks matters almost as much as how they brush.

Sugary and acidic drinks

Sugar feeds the bacteria in the mouth, and acid softens enamel for a short time after each sip. Water is an easy choice, and finishing a drink in one sitting is kinder to teeth than sipping it all day.

Snacks and meals

Plan snacks around meals and keep sweets to mealtimes when you can. Cheese, plain yogurt, crunchy vegetables and fruit are easy choices for kids and adults alike, and a balanced diet supports healthy teeth and gums.

Regular dental visits and preventive care

Preventive care means finding and stopping small problems before they grow.

What to expect at a checkup visit

A checkup visit usually includes a look at your teeth and gums, a professional cleaning and time to ask questions. Your dentist may take X-rays when they are needed and explains what they find in plain words.

Protecting teeth from tooth decay

Exams, cleanings and steady habits at home each help guard against decay and gum problems. If decay has started, finding it early usually means a smaller repair.

Mouthguards for sports

If someone in your family plays contact or ball sports, a mouthguard helps protect the teeth and lips from injury. A guard that fits well is more comfortable to wear, so it is more likely to stay in. If you are not sure what type suits you, ask your dentist.

Questions parents ask

When should my child first see a dentist?

We see patients from age one, so you can bring your child in early, before there is a problem. Talk about the visit in simple, upbeat words and let your child ask questions.

How much toothpaste should my child use?

Use only a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste for young children, and ask us what amount is right for your child's age.

Protecting children’s teeth between visits

Sealants are a thin coating that closes the deep grooves on back teeth. Both children and adults can have them. Ask your dentist whether they suit your child. You can read more on our dental sealants page.

A dentist who welcomes young children

We see patients from age one, and our team is glad to welcome young children and their parents. For a closer look at how a first visit works, see our kid-friendly dentist page.

Keeping an eye on the gums

Red, swollen or bleeding gums can be signs of gum disease, at any age. Mention them to your dentist, and read more on our gum disease page.

When to call us

Call us if you notice a toothache, swelling, gums that keep bleeding, a chipped tooth or sensitivity that does not go away. We offer same-day emergency appointments, and the office answers the phone at (858) 748-2101 for dental emergencies at any time, including after hours. You can find out more on our emergency dentist page.

Source: American Dental Association, Home Oral Care.