Babies/toddlers: It’s important not to leave sugary drinks in your child’s crib overnight. This is a leading cause for cavities because the sugar sits on their tooth enamel all night long. After brushing your baby’s or toddler’s teeth, only allow them to drink water.

Children: Use toothpaste with fluoride. It’s a natural cavity fighter because it rebuilds weakened tooth enamel and prevents decay. Also, like with babies and toddlers, don’t allow your children to drink anything but water after brushing their teeth at night.

Adolescents: It’s hard to keep candy and soda from teenagers, but it’s important to limit their consumption. It’s not just an overall healthy choice for their bodies, but these sugary substances can destroy their teeth as well. By this age, adolescents can use an electric toothbrush, which does a better job with overall cleaning. They should floss once a day and brush twice a day.

Adults: Physiological changes and new medications may reduce saliva flow, resulting in a higher risk of developing dental decay, particularly on the root surfaces. A prescription toothpaste with increased fluoride content helps reduce this risk. As adults age, manual dexterity can decrease. If holding onto the narrow handle of a toothbrush is too difficult, cut a hole in a tennis ball and stick the toothbrush in the hole. This will give a greater surface area to grip when brushing your teeth.

A special thanks to Dr. Tanner Wallace for sharing these important tips to maintain our dental health. An Upper Valley native who was born in Hanover and raised in Lyme, New Hampshire, Dr. Wallace graduated from Hanover High School and went on to study dentistry at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Glendale, Arizona. In May 2014, Dr. Wallace returned to Hanover to work as Dr. Neal Wallace’s partner.

If you’d like to schedule a dental appointment, Neal Wallace Dental provides services such as cleanings, x-rays, sealants, crowns, fillings, veneers, dental implants, and more. Dr. Tanner Wallace loves the Hanover community and would love to help you maintain healthy teeth! Call (603) 643-3509 with any questions.