Guest Post:Tariq Drabu Dentist’s on the Pitfalls of Not Brushing Your Teeth
Oral Health Month: maybe you've never heard of it before.
In conjunction with Colgate and the British Dental Association, all throughout September, dentists up and down the country aim to raise awareness of just how important your teeth are and just how important those trips to the dentist can be.
Where better to start than with educating our children? That’s not to say Mum’s and Dad’s out there won’t learn a thing or two!
When you’re a parent it seems like teaching your kid about oral health is an uphill battle without a summit. You have to be constantly on the ball, constantly checking that they are actually brushing, since kids seem to have a nasty habit of ‘forgetting’ to brush their teeth.
It’s vital that they learn to get into the habit at a young age, as when it comes to human development, if we don’t learn to get into the habit at a young age, it will be much harder to adapt in later life. The things we learn at this stage become part of our ingrained habits.
So how do you get your kids to actually regularly brush?
Parents have tried all methods, but as unpleasant as it is, sometimes just spelling out in clear simple terms the consequences of not brushing is the best way. We’re not talking about giving them nightmares here; we’re talking about making sure they know why the result of not brushing teeth are.
So, what are the consequences of not brushing?
Cavities
When it comes to toothpaste, fluoride is one of the most active ingredients and this substance is vital to stop the formation of cavities. Brushing your teeth twice a day is essential to ensure your teeth get enough of a fluoride coating to prevent the formation of cavities. For children we recommend starting with toothpaste that contains no more than 1,000 ppm fluoride, however from ages 4+, children are welcome to start using more ‘adult’ toothpastes.
Build-up of Harmful Bacteria
Due to everyday life, especially the consumption of unhealthy foods (something kids are especially prone to), harmful bacteria will build up over time. If you don’t brush twice a day then you don’t brush regularly enough to keep up with the bacteria. Also note that simply using mouthwash isn’t enough.
Plaque
That irritatingly stubborn substance that builds up on your teeth, plaque can prove dangerous to your teeth as it can lead to regular irritation, cavities and even gum disease. Plaque is noticeably hard to get rid of if you don’t brush regularly.
Gingivitis
The consequence of a long build-up of plaque, gingivitis can lead to swollen gums that bleed when you brush them. Not particularly pleasant and makes it likely an infection could get into your blood stream.
Bad Breath
OK, this one is no way near as teeth threatening as gingivitis, but socially, bad breath is the silent killer. It’s pretty simple. If you don’t brush your teeth then you don’t get rid of the excess food, which makes your mouth smell pretty bad, especially if it sticks around for a while! Trust us; it will make people keep a wide berth!
Tooth Discolouration
whilst tooth pastes aren’t actually whitening agents, they do brush away the excess plaque and grime that builds up over time to stain your teeth. You need to stick to a regular brushing schedule to make sure that there is never any chance of a build-up that will eventually lead to stained teeth.
At the Langley Dental Practice we recognise the importance of brushing your teeth.
Yes, it may seem to be a small issue now, but let it build up and you can have a real problem on your hands.
Don’t let these problems build up for you or your children.
Tariq Drabu Dentist is a leading dental practitioner based at the Langley Dental Practice in Middleton, Manchester. To learn more oral hygiene tips, thoughts or opinions, follow him on his website www.tariqdrabu.co.uk or over on twitter @TariqJDrabu
