Oral Health & Wellness

For CAREGIVER/ MOTHER: • Eat healthy foods to reduce the cavity-causing germs in your mouth. • Brush your teeth with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. • Do not put anything in your baby’s mouth that has been in your mouth including spoons or a toothbrush, do not blow on your baby’s food • Do not use your spit to clean your baby’s pacifier - use water instead. • If you have bleeding gums or cavities, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. FOR YOUR BABY : • Before your baby’s first tooth becomes visible in the mouth, you should wipe the mouth every day with a soft, moist washcloth. As soon as teeth become visible in the mouth, brush the teeth with a small soft bristle toothbrush that contains a rice-sized smear of fluoride-containing toothpaste. • Encourage your baby to spit out the toothpaste. • You should brush your child’s teeth at least twice each day - once in the morning and once at night. Remember, the most important time to brush your baby...

What Are the Effects of Nicotine on Gum Health? Studies have shown that nicotine — whether delivered via traditional cigarette or other means — does harm to the mouth, gums and tongue. A report published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Periodontology has stated that nicotine may contribute significantly to the development of gingivitis and periodontitis, which can cause bad breath and inflammation throughout the body. Here’s how nicotine can impact your oral health: Nicotine Causes Gum Recession Nicotine is a vaso-constrictor, meaning it reduces the amount of blood that can flow through your veins. Without sufficient blood flow, the gums do not get the oxygen and nutrients they need to stay healthy. Nicotine chokes tissues in the mouth from the blood it needs to survive, causing death of the gum tissues. Nicotine Masks Symptoms of Gum Disease “Almost two years vaping and my gum disease has dramatically improved.” “I just got back ...

# Oral_Health  &  # Wellness   # Tips 1.  # Tooth   # decay  often begins soon after a baby's first teeth appear – clean your baby's  # gums  once a day by using moistened gauze or a washcloth to gently massage the gums. 2.  # Baby  teeth need care too!  # Brush  your child's teeth gently with a soft toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of  # fluoride  toothpaste when the first tooth appears. 3. Make sure the kids see you brushing your own  # teeth , and then make a point of showing off your shiny, clean teeth. Ham it up and make it seem like a treat and privilege to have a shiny smile. Encourage your kids to show off their own smiles once their teeth are clean. 4. Carbonated beverages are a significant cause of cavities in teens, so watch what your teens drink and make sure they brush frequently during the day. 5. A small amount of fluoridated  # toothpaste  will help to inhibit #decay. Fl...