Dental Hygiene As You Age

It may go without saying that you wouldn’t take care of your baby’s teeth in the same way as yours. After all, the dental needs between an infant and an adult are quite different, and the same can be said between adults and senior adults. But not everyone may realize what the best dental care options are for each of their family members. We have the advice you need for your family members at any age here in Havre de Grace, MD.

Infants and Toddlers

• Teething: Before your baby’s teeth erupt, they may feel soreness in the gums, causing them to cry. To help, it’s recommended that you give your baby a cold teething ring or gently rub your baby’s gums to soothe their discomfort.
• Cleaning the First Teeth and Gums: Once your baby’s teeth erupt, you can rub a damp washcloth along the gums, then lightly brush the teeth with water. DO NOT use toothpaste with your child until age two, but ensure that you clean their teeth after each feeding.
• Baby Bottles: It’s not recommended to allow your baby to sleep or doze with a bottle in their mouth. Even babies can be susceptible to tooth decay, and sucking on a bottle continuously after feeding can lead to tooth decay.
• Baby’s First Dentist Visit: It’s generally recommended that your baby visit a pediatric dentist by their first birthday. Your child will begin to become used to dental care, in a dental office, which can reduce any anxieties or fears about the dentist.

What Treatments Are Available At This Age?

• Gentle Cleanings: A dentist will conduct a thorough examination of their teeth, jaw, gums, and other oral tissues.
• X-rays: Depending on your pediatric dentists’ evaluations, your child may need x-rays.
• Assessment of Need for Fluoride: Infants and toddlers may not need fluoride until they reach a certain age or until their teeth erupt, so be sure to talk to your child’s dentist about it.

Children and Teens

• Losing Baby Teeth: At this stage, your child may start to begin losing their baby teeth. Some dentists may recommend that the new teeth have a sealant put over them to protect them.
• Early Orthodontics: If your child’s teeth are crooked or misaligned, it may be recommended that you consider early orthodontic intervention. By ensuring that your child has straight teeth while they’re young, this can help them grow into a healthier smile.
• Nutrition: Be mindful of what you’re feeding your child. Keep track of sugar intake, and go for lots of fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, and less acidic drinks to take care of their teeth.
• Practice Good Oral Health at Home: Instill good dental care habits in your kids while they’re at home, such as brushing and flossing twice a day, using their retainers (if they have one), or taking care of other dental devices they may be using.
• Frequent Dental Appointments: Don’t skimp on the dental cleanings! It’s important that your child continue to visit the dentist every six months, so they can keep track of their oral health, any changes in their teeth, movement, and more.

What Treatments Are Available At This Age?

• Orthodontics: Straightening their smile now will benefit them as they age, ensuring they can reach tough spots to clean.
• Fluoride Treatments and Sealants: It’s safe for children and teens to have fluoride treatments and sealants to protect their teeth against cavity-causing bacteria.
• Potential Dental Devices: These may include dental implants, bridges, or veneers, depending on your child’s needs or growth development. If your teen has lost an adult tooth, talk to us right away about their potential candidacy for a dental implant.

Adults and Seniors

• Avoid Too Much Coffee, Wine, or Soda: These three drinks can leave harsh stains on your enamel, and deteriorate your teeth. You can continue to enjoy them, but consider it only in moderation.
• Keep Dental Devices Clean: If you wear dentures, retainers, nightguards, and more, be sure to keep them clean every night. Ask your dentist about what kind of care each one needs.
• Use Electric Toothbrushes: If manually brushing your teeth is becoming a hardship, consider switching to an electric toothbrush that’s easier to handle.
• Let the Dentist Know About Medications/Health Conditions: You must let us know about any changes to your health or medications, as these could influence your candidacy for treatments or sedation dentistry options.

What Treatments Are Available At This Age?

• Oral Cancer Screenings: Ask Dr. Grubb about how you can receive an oral cancer screening with your dental hygiene appointment. These screenings look out for any abnormal changes in your oral health.
• Tooth Replacement Devices: You can qualify for dental implants, bridges, and dentures. Be sure to address any missing teeth immediately, as waiting on treatment can have negative impacts on your oral health.
• Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments: If you want to refresh your smile, consider teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental crowns, and more.

Contact Us for Hygiene Tips At Any Age

No matter what age you are, it’s important that you receive the proper dental hygiene you need. A healthy smile could lead to a healthier you, so we encourage patients to reach out to us about treatments they need. Whether it’s dental implants or a dental hygiene cleaning, take your family to visit us at Family, Implant, and Reconstructive Dentistry. Dr. Grubb and our team are ready to help you.