C.M. Olivares Dental Clinic

04/03/2026

How to properly care for your child’s teeth at every stage.

A regular teeth-cleaning routine is essential for good dental health. Follow these tips and you can help keep your kids' teeth decay-free.

👶 Children aged up to 3 years

• Start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through (usually at around 6 months, but it can be earlier or later).

• Parents or carers should brush their teeth.

• Brush teeth twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.

• Brush last thing at night before bed and on 1 other occasion.

• Use children's fluoride toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride (check on the box) unless a dentist advises using a family toothpaste with higher levels of fluoride, such as between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm of fluoride.

• Use only a smear of toothpaste.

• Make sure children don't eat or lick toothpaste from the tube.

🧒 Children aged 3 to 6 years

• Brush at least twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.

• Brush last thing at night before bed and at least on 1 other occasion.

• Encourage your child to brush their own teeth while supervising them.

• Use children's fluoride toothpaste that contains 1,000ppm to 1,500ppm fluoride (check on the box).

• Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

• Spit out after brushing and don't rinse – if you rinse, the fluoride won't work as well.

🧑 Children aged 7 and over

• Brush at least twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.

• Brush last thing at night before bed and at least on 1 other occasion.

• Use fluoride toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm of fluoride (check on the box).

• Spit out after brushing and don't rinse – if you rinse, the fluoride won't work as well.

• Children aged 7 and over should be able to brush their own teeth, but it's still a good idea to watch them to make sure they brush properly and for about 2 minutes.

🦷 How to help children brush their teeth properly

Guide your child's hand so they can feel the correct movement.

Use a mirror to help your child see exactly where the brush is cleaning their teeth.

Use a small, soft toothbrush that is right for your child's age.

Brush your child's teeth using small, circular movements.

Remember to gently brush their gums and behind their teeth.

Make tooth brushing as fun as possible by using an egg timer to time it for about 2 minutes.

Don't let children run around with a toothbrush in their mouth, as they may have an accident and hurt themselves.

🏥 Taking your child to the dentist

Take your child to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear, or before they are 12 months old. This is so they become familiar with the environment and get to know the dentist. The dentist can advise you on how to prevent decay and identify any oral health problems at an early stage. Just opening up the child's mouth for the dentist to take a look at is useful practice for the future.

When you visit the dentist, be positive about it and make the trip fun. This will stop your child worrying about future visits.

Take your child for regular dental check-ups as advised by the dentist.

03/03/2026

Your dentist may be the first to detect your diabetes — before you even know it.

A new study from King’s College London, published in the Journal of Dentistry, found that simple chairside HbA1c testing in dental clinics identified a significant number of patients with undiagnosed prediabetes and diabetes. Nearly one in three patients had elevated blood sugar levels without being aware of it.

Researchers also observed a clear trend: HbA1c levels increased as gum disease progressed from healthy gums to gingivitis to periodontitis. This reinforces what we know in modern dentistry — periodontal inflammation and blood glucose control are biologically connected.

Why this matters: many people see their dentist more regularly than their physician. A routine periodontal exam combined with chairside diabetes screening could become a powerful early-detection tool, reducing long-term complications and supporting whole-body health.

Oral health is no longer isolated from systemic health. The dental chair may be one of the most important checkpoints for identifying hidden metabolic risk.

📄 Source: Ide et al. Journal of Dentistry, 2026 — Association between HbA1c chairside values and periodontitis (King’s College London).

03/03/2026

25/02/2026

4 units Porcelain fused to metal crown

23/02/2026

Gingival recession caused by plaque 🦷🦠⬇️
When dental plaque builds up, it irritates the gums and causes inflammation.

Over time, this can make the gums pull back, exposing the tooth roots and increasing sensitivity. Good oral hygiene and early treatment help prevent it ✨🪥😊

23/02/2026

Losing even one tooth can silently change your entire bite.

Most people assume that if it’s just one tooth, the rest will compensate.

Biologically, that is not how the mouth works.

Every tooth is part of a functional system. Teeth stabilize one another. They distribute chewing forces evenly. They help maintain the height and strength of the jawbone.

When a tooth is lost, that balance begins to shift.

The neighboring teeth gradually drift into the empty space.
The opposing tooth may over-erupt because it no longer has contact.
The way your upper and lower teeth meet begins to change.

This altered bite can lead to:

• Uneven tooth wear
• Food trapping between teeth
• Difficulty chewing certain foods
• Increased stress on the jaw joint (TMJ discomfort)

But the most significant change happens beneath the gums.

The jawbone that once supported the missing tooth depends on mechanical stimulation from chewing. Without that stimulation, the body begins a natural process called bone resorption.

Over time, the bone loses both height and width.

This shrinkage can:

• Weaken support for neighboring teeth
• Subtly alter facial structure
• Make future treatments — especially dental implants — more complex if significant bone loss occurs

Tooth loss is not just a cosmetic issue.

It affects bite stability, jaw strength, and long-term oral health.

Replacing a missing tooth — whether with a dental implant, bridge, or other appropriate treatment — helps restore function and preserve the bone.

In dentistry, even one missing tooth matters.

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◾Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional dental advice.

23/02/2026

18/02/2026

Yellow teeth might just be normal life.