Great Dental Health at Any Age
Your family dentist in South Easton, MA is your expert for great dental care no matter if you are eight or eighty. Great oral health is important no matter what your age.
You face different oral challenges throughout your lifetime. For example, a young child does not have to worry with braces and a senior citizen is not subjected to the pain of incoming teeth. While these examples may be extreme, there are many everyday oral health conditions that you will face on a daily basis that are determined by your life stage. Knowing how to care for your teeth and what to look for at different stages can keep your smile bright and white.
A Head Start: Pregnancy and Young Children
A pregnant woman eats for herself and for her child. She can get a jump on her child's oral health by eating right. This includes eating a healthy diet and taking prenatal vitamins that include calcium. When it comes to pregnant women and dental care, South Easton, MA dentists also recommend folic acid to their patients. This ‘wonder' supplement' offer protection against cleft palate or lip.
Once the baby is born oral health can begin in earnest. Your child may not have visible teeth but they are there – under the gums. You can take a damp cloth and wipe the baby's gums after each feeding. Like brushing for adults, this helps prevent the buildup of bacteria.
Baby teeth usually begin to pop through at six months. At this time you can use one of the soft toothbrushes that you most likely received as a baby shower present. To brush a baby's emerging teeth correctly gently brush down to the gum line where bacteria hide.
Experts encourage parents to brush their child's teeth until they reach six years of age. By this time it is hoped the child has a good sense of brushing habits and routine. Throughout childhood parents should avoid giving their children sticky or gooey foods and too many sweets. To ensure healthy teeth children can eat fresh fruits and vegetables or cheese and crackers for a great snack.
On Your Own: Adults
Almost 1/3 of all Americans have tooth decay that is left untreated according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is vitally important to catch this decay early while it is still easily treatable. When your family dentist in South Easton, MA picks up on tooth decay in its early stages he or she can often fix the problem painlessly and give you tips to keep it from reoccurring.
Adults should brush their teeth twice a day. Each brushing should be followed by flossing to get between the teeth where brushing alone cannot reach. Drinking fluorinated water can cut down the risk of tooth decay.
Adults need to realize that oral health is connected to their overall health. Gum disease can be related to other physical problems.
Senior Citizens
More and more seniors have their natural teeth thanks to good oral health care in their younger years. It is important that they do not stop now. They must continue to keep visiting their dentist. Senior citizens are at risk for throat cancer and other oral cancers, more so if they are smokers or drink profusely. In addition, anyone on a large number of medications may experience a dry mouth, also a normal factor of oral health in the elderly.
Schedule your twice yearly dentist appointments each year. Then, make sure to keep your appointments. Dental care, South Easton, MA residents is the number one reason more people are keeping their natural teeth longer. You, too, can keep your pearly whites with excellent dental health.
You face different oral challenges throughout your lifetime. For example, a young child does not have to worry with braces and a senior citizen is not subjected to the pain of incoming teeth. While these examples may be extreme, there are many everyday oral health conditions that you will face on a daily basis that are determined by your life stage. Knowing how to care for your teeth and what to look for at different stages can keep your smile bright and white.
A Head Start: Pregnancy and Young Children
A pregnant woman eats for herself and for her child. She can get a jump on her child's oral health by eating right. This includes eating a healthy diet and taking prenatal vitamins that include calcium. When it comes to pregnant women and dental care, South Easton, MA dentists also recommend folic acid to their patients. This ‘wonder' supplement' offer protection against cleft palate or lip.
Once the baby is born oral health can begin in earnest. Your child may not have visible teeth but they are there – under the gums. You can take a damp cloth and wipe the baby's gums after each feeding. Like brushing for adults, this helps prevent the buildup of bacteria.
Baby teeth usually begin to pop through at six months. At this time you can use one of the soft toothbrushes that you most likely received as a baby shower present. To brush a baby's emerging teeth correctly gently brush down to the gum line where bacteria hide.
Experts encourage parents to brush their child's teeth until they reach six years of age. By this time it is hoped the child has a good sense of brushing habits and routine. Throughout childhood parents should avoid giving their children sticky or gooey foods and too many sweets. To ensure healthy teeth children can eat fresh fruits and vegetables or cheese and crackers for a great snack.
On Your Own: Adults
Almost 1/3 of all Americans have tooth decay that is left untreated according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is vitally important to catch this decay early while it is still easily treatable. When your family dentist in South Easton, MA picks up on tooth decay in its early stages he or she can often fix the problem painlessly and give you tips to keep it from reoccurring.
Adults should brush their teeth twice a day. Each brushing should be followed by flossing to get between the teeth where brushing alone cannot reach. Drinking fluorinated water can cut down the risk of tooth decay.
Adults need to realize that oral health is connected to their overall health. Gum disease can be related to other physical problems.
Senior Citizens
More and more seniors have their natural teeth thanks to good oral health care in their younger years. It is important that they do not stop now. They must continue to keep visiting their dentist. Senior citizens are at risk for throat cancer and other oral cancers, more so if they are smokers or drink profusely. In addition, anyone on a large number of medications may experience a dry mouth, also a normal factor of oral health in the elderly.
Schedule your twice yearly dentist appointments each year. Then, make sure to keep your appointments. Dental care, South Easton, MA residents is the number one reason more people are keeping their natural teeth longer. You, too, can keep your pearly whites with excellent dental health.
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