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1. Diet

   

   Tooth-friendly foods and drinks are also those that are recommended for overall general health. Frequent consumption of high sugar containing foods and drinks can contribute to tooth decay. It is recommended that children should eat vegetables at least 3 times a day and fruit at least 2 times a day. There are number of ways parents can encourage their children to eat healthy;  

   • Include vegetables and/or fruit with each meal.
   • It’s easier to eat healthy meals and snacks if healthier foods are in the house. Make children's choice easier by removing temptation at home. Avoid buying unhealthy snacks such as chippies, biscuits and lollies.
   • Encourage your family to drink water and low-fat milk. Don’t buy soft drinks, cordials, juice or sports drinks.
   • Place a jug of water on the table at each meal for your family to share
   •  For variety, try making your own flavoured water with fresh herbs, vegetables or fruit.
   • Avoid giving sweets as rewards. Try promting good habits with attention, hugs, praise or small gifts such as pencils, pens, stickers, bookmarks etc. 
   • Choose healthy food for snacks instaead of sweet food and drinks.

   For fun, tasty, easy and healthy meal and snack ideas and recipes, go to My Family Food.  

   For more advice on the types of food children need to eat to be healthy, go to Eating for Healthy Children: From 2 to 12 years on the HealthEd website.

2. Brushing

   

   Brushing

   • Once your child is 6 years old start using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
   • Make sure your child is not eating or swallowing toothpaste
   • Encourage them to spit the toothpaste out after brushing and not to rinse the mouth
   • Brush twice a day, morning and night, for two minutes and brushing last thing at night time before bed is very important
   • Hold the brush at 45 - degree angle to the gum line and brush gently by moving the brush back and forth in short, tooth-wide strokes
   • Make sure the child is brushing the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of all the teeth in upper and lower jaws
   • Check your child's brush regularly and replace it every three months or soon after the bristles start to wear out

3. Teens

   Dental care is free for teenagers until their 18th birthday – call 0800 Talk Teeth (0800 825 583) to find a contracting dentist near you.

   Make sure you take advantage of this FREE service while you can! This service is provided mostly by private dentists that are contracted by district health boards. Basic and necessary dental care is provided free under this service. This does not include orthodontic care, tooth whitening or accidents which would normally be covered by ACC. Certain treatments, such as white fillings, might not be free. Make sure you check with your dentist to find out what they provide free. 

   Watch this video promoting importance of oral health among teenagers in a fun way.

4. Mouthguard

   

   Mouthguards are a "plastic" appliance, clear or coloured, worn over the upper teeth. They shield the teeth in an impact situation by providing a cushion which gives protection when the jaws are driven hard together. The New Zealand Dental Association recommends a good mouthguard should be of sufficient thickness in the correct areas, resilient, well retained, comfortable, and should not interfere with speaking and breathing.

   The NZDA recommends the following:

   • always wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports
   • a properly fitted, custom made mouthguard offers the best protection
   • ask your dentist about the best mouthguard for YOU
   • REMEMBER a broken tooth is damaged for LIFE 

5. Dental Erosion

   

   Erosion is the loss of the outer surface of the tooth - dental enamel - that is caused by acid attack. This is different from bacterial acid attack that we call tooth decay. Enamel is the hard outer surface of the tooth seen when we smile and it protects the sensitive dentine underneath. Erosion of the enamel can lead to exposure of the dentine, which may lead to pain and sensitivity with cold foods and drinks.

   Erosion is  a slow process that people generally do not become aware of until significant enamel is already lost. Erosion often shows up as hollows on the top surface of the molar teeth or the teeth seem to become smaller or thinner as the enamel erodes away. As the enamel wears away exposing the underlying dentine the teeth may appear a darker yellow colour -the colour of the dentine- and sensitivity to hot, cold or acidic foods and drinks may become noticeable. 

   How to prevent dental erosion?

   • Limit the number of times each day you eat and drink acid foods and drinks - this reduces the number of acid attacks on your teeth
   • Don't hold your drinks in the mouth or swish the drinks around your mouth 
   • Finish your meals with cheese or a milk drink as this will help to neutralize the dietary acids
   • If you eat or drink anything acidic, wait for about one hour before brushing your teeth. Brushing straight after acidic foods and drinks may cause even more enamel damage. 

6. Wisdom Teeth

   

   Wisdom teeth usually appear at the back of the mouth during late teens or early twenties. Often there is no room for them to come through the gum and they fail to emerge properly. A wisdom tooth can erupt partly through the gum, or remain trapped as an ‘impacted' wisdom tooth. Seek advice from a dentist to see if you need to have your wisdom teeth removed. 

   Key points to remeber about wisdom teeth;

   • wisdom teeth can be very difficult to clean, and are prone to tooth decay, gum disease, and recurring infections.
   • cysts and tumours can develop in tissues around impacted wisdom teeth
   • if your wisdom teeth are unable to erupt, they may cause pressure and damage or crowd the neighbouring teeth
   • wisdom tooth extractions are easier when you are younger.

   Straightforward removal of wisdom teeth may be done in your own dentist's surgery. If your problem is more complex, your dentist may decide to refer you to an oral surgeon.

   Surgical removal of wisdom teeth can cause more discomfort than routine extractions. You likely to experience some swelling, minor bleeding and difficulty in fully opening your mouth. These symptoms are temporary, and in most cases your mouth will be feeling normal a week after your surgery. 

   You may also experience a change of sensation or numbness of your lip and chin and your dentist will discuss with you the risk/benefit ratio of your particular surgery. 

7. Teeth Straightening

   

   If you have crooked teeth or abnormal bite, your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth. Apart from a beautiful smile, orthodontic treatment help you have a healthier mouth. 

   Crowded or crooked teeth are difficult to clean and maintain. This may contribute to conditions that cause tooth decay, gum disease and eventual tooth loss. These problems can be avoided by straightening the teeth through orthodontic treatment. There are different ways to straighten your teeth. The kind of orthodontic treatment you have will depend on your commitment, preference and severity of the problem. 

   Orthodontic treatment may be provided by your dentist or a specialist orthodontist. Depending on their orthodontic experience and severity of your problem, your dentist may refer you to a specilaist orthodontist. If you are receiving treatment by an orthodontist, you still need to keep seeing your dentist for regular check-ups. 

   You can read more about orthodontists and orthodontic treatment from the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists(NZAO).

8. Older People

   Healthy eating, effective home oral care and regular dental visits are the three essential steps to maintain healthy teeth and gums for all age groups. It is important than an older person, just like anyone else, limits the intake of sugary food and drinks, brushes twice daily, and regularly visits the dentist. 

   Tips to keep your mouth healthy

   • Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
   • Clean between the teeth at least once a day with floss or inter-dental brushes
   • Reduce the intake of sugary food and drinks, ideally limiting them to meal times
   • Keep hydrated with water, especially if you have dry mouth, and chew sugar-free gum if possible
   • If you are a denture wearer, thoroughly clean dentures daily, and soak them overnight in denture cleaner
   • Visit your dentist at least once a year so any problems can be detected early and treated
   • Quit smoking - it's bad for teeth and gums as well as everything else.

   If in doubt about your mouth, see your dentist.

   

9. Dry Mouth

   

   Dry mouth or xerostomia is a condition where the mouth becomes very dry due to reduced saliva flow. It is caused by certain medical conditions and is also a side effect of  some prescription drugs. People suffering from dry mouth are more susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. For denture wearers, the soft tissues in the mouth are more prone to irritation causing denture wearing difficult. 

   Common causes:

   • Certain medications (antihistamines, painkillers, high blood pressure medications, diuretics, antidepressants and others)
   • Radiation and chemotherapy
   • Conditions such as Sjogren's sundrome and Alzheimer's disease

   Your doctor may be able to change your medication to help avoid a dry mouth. if you have a dry mouth it is important to keep hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. Chewing sugar-free gum can stimulate the flow of saliva, and there are sprays and moisteners to help lubricate the mouth. 

   If you have a dry mouth please discuss that with your dentist to see if they can help you find a suitable solution. 

10. Root Decay

    

    Receding gums, ('getting long in the tooth') causes the exposure of the root surfaces of the teeth. Root surfaces are softer and more porous than the rest of the tooth, so they absorb stains readily and are not as resistant to decay. When a decay occurs the root becomes softened and darkly stained. In severe cases the affected teeth may break off at the gums.

    Common causes

    • Incorrect brushing
    • Gum disease

    Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid vigorous brushing. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste can help protect exposed root surfaces from decay. A regular dental check-up can help detect and treat root decay early.