When should I start cleaning my baby's teeth?

In the beginning, it is enough to clean the gums with clean gauze in the morning and in the evening. When the first milk teeth come in, upper or lower incisors, they should be cleaned with wet gauze. The movements should go from the gums towards the edge. This should be repeated four or five times a day. The baby's teeth can also be cleaned with a special toothbrush for children. If teeth are washed with wet gauze, it is advisable to massage the gums. You should also familiarize your baby with a toothbrush in order to create a habit of cleaning teeth. When all milk teeth have erupted, it is best to look after them with a toothbrush that has long bristles, a narrow head and handle, suitable for holding so that a child can first practice the brushing.

How many times a day should teeth be cleaned?

It is best if teeth are cleaned in the morning immediately after getting up, after every meal and in the evening before going to bed. By brushing teeth in the morning, you eliminate the bacteria which accumulated during the night. Cleaning teeth after every meal prevents tha harmful action of some substances from food. The most important is the brushing before bedtime because the food which remains in the mouth during the night starts to decompose chemically and it has a harmful effect on our teeth because during the night we produce much less saliva and the self-cleaning of our mouth is reduced.

What do toothpastes consist of?

Toothpastes consist mostly of abrasive particles, soap and other alkalis with added aromatic, antiseptic and other ingredients.

Their abrasive component helps to remove dental plaque more easily but at the same time, it polishes the surface of teeth and in that way prevents its reaccumulation. Also, some prophylactic (disease- preventing) substances and remedies such as fluoride.

Nowadays we can also find chlorhexidine, an antiseptic which reduces the piling up of plaque and fights bacteria. Some toothpastes also contain baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), which changes the ph level in the mouth. It is well known that during inflammation of the gums the level of ph gets lower both in the tissue and in the saliva, which helps the development of bacteria. There are special toothpastes for sensitive teeth which contain calcium chloride which mineralizes dentin, closes dentinal tubules and decreases teeth sensitivity.

Dental floss and interdental brushes

Dental floss is used for cleaning the adjacent tooth surfaces because this is where food stays the longest. Anyone who has such position of teeth where dental plaque or food remains cannot be removed with a toothbrush, should use dental floss. There are several brands of dental floss on the market. The difference is between whether they are with or without wax, i.e. clean or waxed.

Interdental (interproximal) brushes are for people who, for any reason, have bigger interdental spaces (spaces between two teeth) but they are also recommended to anyone if attention is paid to the thickness of the interdental brush.

How often should we have plaque removed?

By practicing regular oral hygiene at home we reduce building up of tartar and plaque on our teeth but we cannot stop it completely. In order to remove plaque and tartar entirely, it is necessary to visit the dentist for professional cleaning twice or three times a year.

How often should we replace our toothbrush?

The average lifespan for a toothbrush is 2 to 3 months if we use it regularly. If a toothbrush does not function properly, it should be replaced even sooner in order not to risk oral health.