Dental Hygiene

Text supplied by Ian Esson, Special Needs Dentist Christchurch Hospital

The health of your child’s teeth and gums is extremely important.  Healthy teeth and gums are essential for good eating, good speech and good looks that include not only the smile but also the surrounding mouth and lips.  At times, the number, shape and condition of the teeth can be affected by the presence of a cleft and the consequences of this need to be assessed as the dentition develops with age.

What do you need to do to ensure your child’s teeth remain healthy?

• Enroll your child with a dental care provider such as a school dental therapist, family dentist or paediatric dentist once the teeth start to erupt (usually 6 months old and onward) and ensure your child is seen at regular intervals.
• Obtain good guidance on the prevention of dental disease specific for your child.
  This will include:
  • Maintaining a clean mouth with regular tooth brushing with a small smear of fluoridated toothpaste across the toothbrush.  Introduce regular toothbrushing as soon as first teeth erupt.
  • Sensible diet related to the frequency and type of food and drink your child has.  Avoid regular use of sweet and fizzy drinks.  Try to keep sweets for special occasions.  Encourage the use of unsweetened water and milk, as well as cheese and other dairy products.
  • Try and provide three meals and no more than two snacks per day.
  • Application of fissure sealants and topical fluorides should be considered by your dental care provider.
  • Use of a good fitting mouthguard for contact sports.
  • If you are able start flossing when two teeth are touching together

Enroll your child with a dental care provider such as a school dental therapist, family dentist or paediatric dentist once the teeth start to erupt (usually 6 months old and onward) and ensure your child is seen at regular intervals.