Being aware of the oral-health conditions you will face at different life stages will not only help you build a lifetime of healthy smiles but also help avoid potential dental problems. Who doesn’t want to take care of their kids? You are even more concerned about your kid’s dental habits to make sure you impart good dental care to him or her.
Dental health for pregnancy and children
Eating healthy foods, calcium supplements and folic-acid supplements when expectant gives your child a good start. As a parent, consider using a soft, damp cloth to wipe the gums of the little one after feeding her. This helps in preventing and keeping out any bacteria. Use a soft children’s toothbrush twice a day to clean the gum line and teeth after the teeth have come in.
According to the American Dental Association, young children of about nine months are at risk of tooth decay. In addition, the association recommends that parents should brush their children’s teeth up to the age of six since they can’t brush their teeth effectively below this age. Parents should also avoid feeding children with sticky foods and sweets but instead feed them fresh fruits and vegetables.
Dental health for Adults
Tooth decay is rare to detect in its early stages since it is often painless and only a dental examination can help figure it out. Periodontal disease can be evident by the loss of bone around the teeth and this will need proper dental care from dentist. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association cites smoking and certain medication as the risk factors for periodontal disease. When you are taking medication for conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy or high blood pressure, you need to consult your dentist on how often you should go for check-ups since there is usually a direct relation between other diseases and gum disease.
Dental health for Older Adults
Adults are responsible for taking care of and keeping their natural teeth healthy. Note that older adults are at a high risk of developing oral and throat cancers according to the American Dental Association. It is, therefore, important to visit your dentist regularly. If you have swollen and red gums, it could indicate that your dentures don’t fit anymore and there is need to check with your dentist.