No matter what stage of life you are in, taking care of your teeth and gums is essential. However, like so many other things, the path to good dental health actually changes slightly with age.
It is never too early to promote dental health. Parents should begin "brushing" their infants' gums even before teeth erupt. This will not only help them become used to the sensation, it will also ensure that their gums stay clean. At this stage, however, rather than using a toothbrush, parents should simply wipe their infants' gums with a clean, damp washcloth.
The cloth can continue to be used as baby teeth break through. In both infancy and toddlerhood, it is important to not let your child fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice. Doing so can cause dental health problems as the sugar from the drinks can settle on their teeth and lead to cavities.
Brushing your teeth is what generally comes to mind when people first think about their dental health. It is a simple thing, but brushing at least twice a day is of the utmost importance as it removes plaque from the surface of your teeth. If the plaque stays on your teeth it can lead to tooth decay as well as worse problems like periodontal disease.
As children get older, they should begin visiting the dentist biannually. This is also a good time to start them in the habit of twice daily brushing. Be sure to teach them how to brush prior to letting them take on the task themselves. Ensure that they eat healthy, non-sugary snacks and teach them the importance of good dental health.
The most recommend beverage for good dental health is unsweetened tea, milk or just plain water. Try to limit the intake of sugar containing soft drinks and lemonade and even if you do drink them, never do so in a day-long sipping basis as that has been proven to be the most harmful. There are a plethora of sugar substitutes which tastes like sugar but doesn't have the chemical structure so are not digested in the same manner.
Dental health for adults is very similar to that for teens. However, adults need to be aware of how medications affect their mouths, as well as to check their mouths periodically for sores or lesions that could be signs of bigger problems. In later adulthood, looking after your teeth and gums can have added difficulties. Arthritis can make gripping a toothbrush difficult, and options such as larger handled brushes need to be considered. Dry mouth, dentures, and even oral cancer are other problems that can plague the dental health of the elderly, and the difficulty of finding affordable dental care only intensifies these issues.
At every age, it is imperative that people take proper care of their mouths. Brushing and flossing are only the beginning. Making sure that you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet affects every part of your body, including your teeth. And checkups with the dentist should never be considered optional. Your dental health is inextricably linked to your overall health, and as such should not be taken lightly.
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Ornella actually knows what she is talking about. You can see more about bleeding gums and dental hygiene here.
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