Flossing your child’s teeth might be a different type of adventure. It is difficult enough to brush their teeth, you imagine a fiddling 4-5-year-old running around the bathroom and you trying to brush and floss. We are here to tell you that flossing can be fun and easy to make it a habit. So where do you start?

Understanding why flossing matters so much.

As an adult, you understand the benefits and necessity of flossing. With brushing, we can remove only 40-50% of plaque. Flossing removes the food collected from between your teeth as well as helps you clean the gums. All is clear but how to explain it to a child?

Children are visual creatures, use the following games to make them understand why we floss:

1. The fake teeth game Use some cartoon eggs or similar on a construction paper to imitate teeth and to create a fake mouth. Use 10-12 eggs. Use non-toxic playdough to recreate the food and plaque between the “teeth” and let your child experiment to remove it first using a toothbrush and then with the floss. This “hands-on” experiment will help their understanding and the importance of flossing.
2. Flossing your fingers We recommend using these 2 games in this sequence. Once the kids understand the importance of flossing, all they need to learn now is technique. Wrap gently the dental floss around their middle finger and encourage them to floss your fingers. Keep your hand straight and upright with your fingers pressed against each other. Let your child practice flossing between your fingers, the main thing is to teach them how much pressure to apply. Flossing using too much pressure can possibly damage their gums. Practice the game and they will remember the right amount of pressure they should apply.

Creating the habit as early as possible in your child’s life will help them adopt it as an indispensable part of their morning and evening routine.

When to start flossing your child’s teeth?  

Your child will probably be able to floss independently around 5-6 years of age. Before this, you should start flossing their teeth around toddler age. When you see that they have teeth that are growing close together, this is a good time to start flossing. Set the stage for success, you can play some music or sing to your child while flossing. Do it regularly, every evening to start, consistency is very important.

How to floss with your child?

1. Begin early.
   If you start flossing your baby’s teeth while they are 2 years old, flossing will become a habit and when their dexterity is at the level that they can floss themselves, they will be eager to do it independently.
2. Lead by example.Floss your own teeth in the presence of your child, make it look like fun! Your kid will tend to follow what you do, not what you say should be done.
3. Be clear about the steps of flossing.Teach your child the steps of flossing: How to pull the floss and the amount of floss they need per “session”, it is usually about 30-40 cm. Wrap the thread loosely around their middle fingers.
4. Alternatives to dental floss
   
   Observe how they insert the floss between their teeth, the main thing is the correct the amount of pressure, if applied too much they can damage their gum and result in a painful experience.Teach them to move the floss or tape along to ensure a clean piece of string is used for each tooth.Don’t forget to show them how to clean their gums by using C shaped movements.
5. Visit your dentist every 6 months
   
   Proper brushing and flossing are great, but some stubborn plaque can hide in hardly accessible places in a child’s mouth. Book your bi-annually visits at Versailles Dental Clinic and our dentists will perform a checkup and see if the flossing is done efficiently.At the clinic the dentists have professional equipment to do a pediatric cleaning and polishing, just to give your child a “boost” cleaning.We are also happy to teach your child our tricks and secrets, don’t hesitate to book a dental appointment anytime.

The content of this article is not a substitute for professional dental advice.

To book your next appointment or schedule a regular check-up, Contact Us now!

Versailles Dental Clinic Dubai – Dubai Health Care City

The content of this article is not a substitute for professional dental advice.

How to clean your retainers: advice and practical tips.

If you or your child recently got retainers or Invisalign aligners, here is all you need about keeping your retainers clean and safe.

How often should I clean my retainer or aligner?

By the rule of thumb, you should clean your retainers or aligners just as often as you brush your teeth. If not cleaned properly, unfortunately, the retainers will become a breeding ground for bacteria that can make you ill in various ways. Besides daily cleaning, reserve 5 minutes once a week for a deeper, more thorough cleaning.

What do I need to maintain my retainer clean?

First off, you need to dedicate a separate soft-bristled toothbrush solely for cleaning your appliance.

The brand of the toothbrush is not important, you can use any generic brand if the bristles are soft. You don’t want to damage your aligner with a hard brush.

You must be very careful if you have an Invisalign aligner, make sure you don’t brush too hard, otherwise tiny scratches might form that will turn cloudy over usage.

How can I clean my retainer at home?

There are few easy ways to care for your retainer or aligner at home. But first, if you are on the go and the cleaning brush is not available, water is your best friend. Make sure you rinse thoroughly your aligner with water. When you get home, however, use any of the methods described below:

1. Toothpaste or mild soap
   The easiest way to clean your retainer is to use the same toothpaste that you use for your dental routine. Make sure the product is non-abrasive and non-whitening. Gently brush the retainer for 30 seconds and rinse thoroughly. The toothpaste will not kill all the bacteria but at least will remove a good part of the bacteria build-up. The same applies the soap, choose a non-abrasive, non-scrubbing soap. Brush the retainer gently and rinse with warm water before placing it in your mouth.
2. Commercial retainer cleaning products
   Ask your dentist about a retainer or denture cleaning product like Efferdent or Polydent. Use the cleaning product no more than few times a week. Follow the instructions for the product you use.The professional cleaning products will remove most of the bacteria from the retainer or aligner.
3. A mixture of vinegar and waterPrepare a mixture of 50% white vinegar and warm water and soak your retainer for about 20 minutes. While the retainer is soaking, you can gently brush it for about 2 minutes to remove any deposits. Rinse the appliance abundantly after the soak. The retainer might taste a bit funny when you place it in your mouth due to the vinegar.

 

How NOT to clean your retainer?

It is very important to keep your aligner clean, however, there are some things that might damage your appliance. Never boil your retainer or soak it in boiling water. The retainers and aligners are made of high-grade medical plastic, if soaked in hot water the appliance might distort and lose its shape.

Bleach is harmful to the plastic; no good amount is good to use to clean your retainer. Eliminate the option of using bleach completely.

Avoid using any type of cleaning product that contains alcohol and is not designed specifically for cleaning retainers and aligners.

Washing the retainer in a dishwasher is not a good idea, the hot water, and the abrasive dishwasher liquid will damage it.

I cannot remove the build-up on my retainer, what should I do?

Sometimes despite all the efforts of cleaning the retainer, a tough layer of build-up might accumulate. Take your retainer to your dentist, in the clinic, there are professional cleaning tools available. The dentist will clean the thoroughly the retainer without damaging the appliance.

I broke my retainer, can it be replaced?

It all depends on how long you’ve been using the appliance. If it is only for a few months, then replacing the retainer will be easy. If you are using the retainer for a longer period, the doctor might find necessary to take new impressions of your teeth.
To book your next appointment or schedule a regular check-up, Contact Us now!

Versailles Dental Clinic Dubai – Dubai Health Care City

The content of this article is not a substitute for professional dental advice.

As a parent, you must wear many hats and know what is best for your child in every aspect of their life.

It is not easy for a parent to know when to start Orthodontic treatment for their children. There is a lot of information out there to navigate and understand.

As a parent, you might be confused because even if your child’s teeth look aligned in the front, the malocclusion may lay in the back teeth, something that is difficult to see with an untrained eye.

Dr. Firas Haj Ibrahim, our specialist orthodontist, advises:

It is a good idea to get an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7-8 years old. By that age children have enough permanent teeth that allow me to diagnose if there might be future problems. Early detection of potential orthodontic issues is key since in many cases the early diagnosis and prevention makes future treatment easier for the patient and the doctor.

If I detect a future problem, the age of the actual treatment can widely vary depending on each individual case.

For some rare cases, I might use the interceptive approach, which involves using dental appliances (not braces) at an early age. This will be the first phase of the treatment. Once the child has all adult teeth out, I will continue with the second phase (braces) if needed. The benefit of the first phase is big, usually, the second, braces phase, will be shorter and lighter treatment.

For most cases, I will start the treatment once all adult teeth erupt. Depending on each individual case the age might vary.

What is important to remember:

• Early detection is key, book the first consultation around ages 7-8.
• If necessary, return every 6 months for follow-up appointments to monitor the situation.
• An orthodontic consultation is different from a dental consultation, make sure to follow-up your child dental care with your regular dentist.
• Untreated orthodontic issues might contribute to tooth decay, gum diseases, tempo mandibular problems and loss of teeth.
• Crooked teeth can also affect a child and teen self-confidence.
• If left untreated, orthodontic problems do not go away, unfortunately, down the road, they will be more complicated and costly.

The bright line is:

• With early detection, the treatment will be done safely in shortest terms possible.
• Even if the treatment can be lengthy, you will give your child a smile for life.
• The greatest reward for a parent is a healthy smile of their child.

You can book a free, 15 minutes orthodontic assessment for your child with Dr. Firas.

There is a lot of hype these days about Invisalign as well as many misconceptions. Invisalign IS an efficient orthodontic treatment for adults and kids that solves most of the orthodontic problems. Invisalign is NOT a purely cosmetic treatment.

As the technology progresses, so does Invisalign treatment. Here are 5 reasons why Invisalign is better than you think compared to braces:

1. Increased comfort
   

   Patients using wired braces have more discomfort and pain. With Invisalign the only time you might feel discomfort is when you start wearing a new set of aligners, every 2 weeks. The pressure on your teeth is of a very low degree.

   Invisalign aligners are removable and you have the freedom to continue eating a normal, balanced diet. You can also remove the aligners for an important evening out.

2. Discrete
   

   Invisalign are almost invisible and it looks as though you are not wearing braces at all. If you feel anxious to wear a “train track” to work especially if you are an adult, then Invisalign is the perfect solution for you.

3. Fast treatment

   Invisalign treatments are generally faster than traditional braces. What is more fascinating is that since the treatment is designed by a special software, you can see how your teeth will look like at the end of the treatment. As a patient, you can even add modifications to the outcome before your treatment had started.

   One more thing: using an Acceledent device, you can half the duration of your Invisalign treatment. The soft pulse technology helps your teeth move safely faster, for example, a treatment of 12 months can be reduced to 6 months.

4. Reduced restrictions

   One of the biggest downsides to traditional braces are the required bi-monthly visits to the dentist. In our fast-paced world, where people’s lifestyles are directly related to travel, committing to monthly or bi-monthly visits for 1-2 years is virtually impossible.

   With Invisalign, you have the freedom to travel extensively and plan your dentists’ visits according to your schedule.

5. Hygienic and safe

   Oral health is significantly improved with the use of Invisalign aligners, which can be easily removed for cleaning. You will also tend to consume more water as it is the only liquid you can drink while wearing the aligner. Less sugary drinks – healthier teeth.

6. Get those few pounds off!

   Along with your Invisalign treatment, you can plan a diet as well. As you must remove the aligners for every meal, snaking is naturally reduced. Combine 2 in one, Invisalign treatment and a lite diet, the result will be amazing.

It is a universal truth that a gorgeous, healthy smile is truly the way to better health, bigger opportunities, and lifelong confidence. However, for many people, the prospect of undergoing orthodontic treatment for 12 to 36 months can be daunting and downright discouraging.

Fortunately, there are new technologies that allow patients to reduce their treatment time by up to 50%. So, a normal 24 months in braces now drops down to 12 months!

One of the leading technologies is called Acceledent.

How Acceledent^® Works

Acceledent’s patented SoftPulse Technology® applies precisely calibrated vibrations called micropulses that transmit through the roots of your teeth to the surrounding bone. This gentle vibration helps increase the cellular activity and speeds the rate in which your teeth can move.

50% faster

Accelerated Treatment
When used with braces or aligners, Acceledent is clinically shown to move teeth up to 50% faster.¹

71% less pain

Reduced Pain and Discomfort
Acceledent is also clinically shown to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with braces and aligners by up to 71%.¹

Safe & Gentle

SoftPulse Technology micropulses exert up to 8x less force than a power toothbrush and 200x less force than ordinary chewing.¹

You use the appliance, which looks like a mouth guard, for 20 minutes a day. We have had several patients tell us they put it on when applying makeup in the morning, doing their yoga exercises or walking the dog.

Start your treatment with Acceledent

You can start your treatment, Invisalign or classic braces and plan your orthodontic treatment including Acceledent. Our best orthodontist in Dubai at Versailles Dental Clinic will estimate the duration of the treatment and train you how to use the device work. Use it for 20 minutes per day.

If you have started an orthro-treatment already, it is possible to use Acceledent. Book your consultation and Dr. Najm will explain how can you benefit with Acceledent.

Genius ideas are generally simple. Acceledent is one of those, simple concept, easy to use with reliable results.