Healthy Teeth for the Rest of Your Life

Your dentist explains that keeping your mouth healthy throughout your entire life doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you follow good oral hygiene habits and know what to expect at any age.

Mothers who are expecting can give their kids a healthy start by taking calcium supplements and eating healthy foods. According to the American Dental Association, folic acid supplements also help to decrease the risk of your child being born with a cleft palate or cleft lip. Once your baby is born, wipe the gums using a damp and soft cloth. Doing so after feeding helps prevent bacteria build up. Your child’s teeth usually emerge around six months. Once this occurs brush the baby’s teeth using a baby tooth brush twice a day. Begin taking your baby to the dentist when they are about 12 months old. Other important habits to establish throughout childhood include a diet full of fresh fruits and veggies and calcium rich foods such as kale and cheese to help protect the tooth’s enamel.

According to the ADA, an astounding one third of American adults have tooth decay. It is imperative that you see your dentist twice a year, as early detection is vital. Tooth decay can be painless, especially during the early stages, and can only be detected during a dental checkup. Gum disease, which can lead to the periodontal disease, can cause bone loss and should be taken care of as quickly as possible. If your gums bleed and are red or swollen, schedule an appointment with your dentist as quickly as possible. If you have diabetes, suffer from epilepsy, or have high blood pressure, you may need to see your dentist more often. If you drink bottled water, ask your dentist about fluoride supplements as fluoride can help strengthen your teeth.

Older adults need to pay close attention to their teeth and gums and see the dentist on a regular basis for oral cancer screenings. Older adults, especially those who drink alcohol on a regular basis or smoke, have an increased risk of oral and throat cancer. Older adults are also more susceptible to dry mouth thanks to certain medications that could affect oral health. If you wear dentures schedule regular appointments with your dentist so they can be checked periodically for fit.

These days’ people are living longer, but that all starts with good oral hygiene, which includes brushing twice and flossing once each day. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today.   

Make a Dental Checkup part of Your New Year's Resolution

If you have a habit of making New Year’s resolutions, be sure that you put healthier teeth and gums on your list. Your teeth and gums are the gateway to the rest of your body, and if you haven’t had a dental checkup for a while, make an appointment today.

Seeing your dentist twice a year is imperative if you want to keep tooth decay and gum disease in check. According to the Mayo Clinic, regular dental appointments are just as important as brushing twice and flossing once a day when it comes to preventive dental care.

During your comprehensive dental examination, your dentist, or dental hygienist, will clean your teeth while evaluating your gums looking for bone loss, swelling or inflammation and redness. Your dentist may also use a probe to gently poke your gums. If bleeding is present, your dentist may recommend scaling and planing or refer you to a specialist, also known as a periodontist.

Other evaluations that will be included during your dental examination include a check of your mouth, neck and face for abnormalities. Your dentist will also evaluate your risk for tooth decay and other oral health issues. X-rays will also be taken so that your dentist can check for problems with dental restorations, such as cavities underneath existing fillings and crowns and other problems that cannot be seen during a visual dental examination.  

Your dentist will talk to you about your oral hygiene habits and your diet. What you eat and drink is just as important as brushing and flossing when it comes to your teeth and gums. If signs of gum disease are present, your dentist may also show you how to brush and floss properly. During this part of your comprehensive dental examination, your dentist will ask about any medications that you may be taking. Smoking, tooth loss consequences, and the benefits of dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, and implants will also be discussed.

Take stock of your health this year and include a comprehensive dental examination on your New Year’s resolution list.