Good dental care is essential for your overall health whatever time of lifeor age you are.All the family need to get into a good routine of brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular dental check with our Dental Hygienist in Southend, as soon as possible. Good oral health care should begin before birth, at pregnancy, and continue all the way through your life.
Daily hygiene is essential to maintaining a healthy smile. Brush at least twice a day and floss once to remove any old food particles stuck between your teeth and gums. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, or an electric one, and hold it at a 45-degree angle, tilting the brush so it can reach beneath gums, and be sure to scrub your tongue. Flossing is just as important as brushing and does two important things. It removes leftover food and breaks down plaque that builds up throughout the day.
Pregnant mothers, toddlers, teens, adults, and seniors should all follow specific dental practices, and look out for certain oral health issues that may arise at each stage of life. At Advanced Aesthetics Dental in Southend, we’ve come up with dental hygiene tips for every stage of life to help you maintain a beautiful, healthy smile and great oral health.
Pregnant women should schedule dental check-ups between 4-6 months gestation. You need to take extra care with your oral hygiene during pregnancy, especially if you suffer from morning sickness or have a sweet tooth. If you have an infection in your gums during pregnancy, the chances of having a premature birth or low birth weight can be slightly higher than if you have healthy gums and teeth.
Pregnant women can be susceptible to dental problems for two main reasons:
Fore safety, we advise you keep up your regular dental appointments throughout pregnancy as your baby’s teeth are also developing at this time.
Teething often occurs between the ages of 3-9 months. It’s therefore a good idea to take your baby for a first dental trip at six months or when the first tooth erupts, but no later than their first birthday.
With infants and toddlers, it’s essential to look out for any potential issues early. Thumb sucking is pretty normal for young children, but make sure the habit doesn’t trigger issues with bite and jaw alignment. To prevent baby bottle tooth decay, avoid putting juice or milk in a bottle during nap time or at night.
Our other Advanced Dental Aestheticstips to take care of baby teeth include:
Kids start losing teeth between the age of 4 and 12 years. Continue teaching good oral habits and schedule regular dental visits. More importantly, focus on brushing with fluoride toothpaste for full two minutes and teach proper flossing. Always discuss any concerns with your Advanced Dental Aesthetics dentist, especially regarding sealants, mouth guards, and orthodontic evaluations.
During teenage and early adulthood, parents need to set a good example for oral health care. Teach your teens the importance of maintaining a great dental hygiene routine to prevent tooth decay and cavities. You can easily promote healthy smiles by having plenty of oral health-care products on hand and by encouraging healthy diets.
Most teens are image-conscious and highly self-critical so signs of bad breathor crooked teeth can lead to feelings of insecurity. If your teen needs to straighten teeth or correct their bite, schedule an appointment with your Advanced Dental Aestheticsdentist to discuss various options such as Invisalign or traditional braces. Wisdom teeth also come out during late teens and will likely need to be removed to prevent crowding, pain, and infection.
Oral care during your mid-adult life is just as critical as it is during childhood. Neglected teeth and gums can trigger tooth decay, tooth loss, and infections. If a cavity becomes too deep, your dentist may recommend a root canal.
Many people develop gum disease during their mid-life, and maintaining oral health is critical to avoid costly procedures. Follow good hygiene habits such as brushing at least twice per day or after every meal, flossing, gargling with mouthwash, and chewing sugar-free gum. Additionally, schedule dental appointments at Advanced Dental Aesthetics in Southend, at least twice every year, eat healthily, avoid tobacco, and use a mouth guard during sports.
“Prevention is better than cure” as the old saying goes and is undoubtedly the best remedy when it comes to oral care as an adult over 40. Severe gum disease is often triggered by common medical problems such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Be sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle and schedule regular medical check-ups and dental hygiene appointments at Advanced Dental Aesthetics in Southend, to keep check of your overall and dental health.
Additionally, you should always remember daily brushing and flossing since they are the best way to keep your mouth healthy and germ-free. Regular visits to your Southenddentist, along with good dental habits, can prevent many diseases and keep you smiling for years to come.
Other common dental concerns during middle-age include missing teeth, sensitivity, and discoloration. Take advantage of new technology and techniques in dentistry and explore your restoration options such as dental implants, dentures and dental crowns and bridges. Commit to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially if you have other underlying health issues such as heart disease and diabetes.
Good oral health is a lifestyle, and you should continue maintaining a healthy mouth as a senior to prevent a multitude of health problems. During this stage of life, it’s essential to schedule regular dental check-ups at Advanced Dental Aesthetics in Southend (even if you wear dentures) so your dentist can look out for any potential problems that need to be addressed.
This is the time to look out for early signs of oral cancer. Any open sores or changes in the cheek and tongue lining should be checked by your dentist. Seniors are also surprisingly prone to cavities, periodontal disease, and dry mouth as a side effect of medication.
Always follow your Advanced Dental Aestheticsdentist’s instructions with regards to caring for implants, bridges, and dentures. You should also let your dentist know about any health conditions or medications you use so we can tailor your preventive dental care requirements. Adults above the age of 60 should see a dentist at least twice a year and pay attention to sores, pain, or sensitivity to cold and hot foods.
As long as you stick to a good oral hygiene routine throughout your lifetime, you can prevent many serious dental problems. If you have any comments about addressing oral health for each stage of life, feel free to contact us today and book your dental hygiene appointment.
