Pediatric Dentistry Phoenix: Plaque What is it?

Healthy teeth are important to your childs overall health. From the time your child is born, there are things you can do to promote healthy teeth. For babies, you should clean teeth with a soft, clean cloth or baby toothbrush. Avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle and check teeth regularly for spots or stains.

For all children, you should

• Brush teeth with a fluoride toothpaste

• Provide healthy foods and limit sweet snacks and drinks

• Provide low-fat milk and dairy products high in calcium

• Schedule regular dental check-ups

Forming good habits at a young age can help your child have healthy teeth for life. One of the most important things for a child to do is to remove plaque from their teeth.

People used to think that as you got older you naturally lost your teeth. We now know that is not true. By following easy steps for keeping your teeth and gums -healthy plus seeing your dentist regularly-you can have your teeth for a lifetime!

Plaque is made up of invisible masses of harmful germs that live in the mouth and stick to the teeth.

• Some types of plaque cause tooth decay.

• Other types of plaque cause gum disease.

Red, puffy or bleeding gums can be the first signs of gum disease. If gum disease is not treated, the tissues holding the teeth in place are destroyed and the teeth are eventually lost.

Dental plaque is difficult to see unless it is stained, You can stain plaque by chewing red "disclosing tablets," found at grocery stores and drug stores, or by using a cotton swab to smear green food coloring on your teeth. The red or green color left on the teeth will show you where there is still plaque-and where you have to brush again to remove it. Stain and examine your teeth regularly to make sure you are removing all plaque. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist if your plaque removal techniques are o.k.