Let’s be honest, there are many people who don’t take proper care of their teeth, gums and overall dental needs. Whether it’s because of improper flossing and brushing techniques or less than stellar eating and drinking habits, everybody has unique needs with regard to personalised dental health.
You, your kids, your parents and your spouse alike may each have different challenges or problems in maintaining proper oral health. Thankfully, there are plenty of options for everybody in the family who needs help in this regard.
If you’re responsible for your family’s health and want to strive for better dental health for everyone, then keep reading. We’ll look at a variety of techniques that can help the different members of your family.
Taking Care of an Infant’s Oral Hygiene
While none of us emerge from the womb with visible teeth, dental and oral care begins on day one! Many people may not know this, but babies are actually born with teeth – they just haven’t emerged yet.
It is vital to clean an infant’s gums after feeding with a moist wash cloth. This can help prevent the build-up of bacteria that may cause a variety of problems early in life, such as oral thrush. It is also recommended to gently massage your baby’s gums.
In just a few short months, your bundle of joy will begin teething – at which point, a trip to the dentist (alongside your regularly-scheduled appointment) is definitely recommended. Your dentist will be able to provide additional recommendations on how to proceed with oral care during the next few years of your child’s life.
Caring for Children’s Dental Needs
At around three years of age, your child will begin requiring regular check-ups and cleanings with a dentist. This basic form of healthcare is essential and generally is recommended to be done once every six months.
For at-home care, it’s important to remember that young children aren’t exactly great at brushing their teeth – let alone flossing. As a parent, you’ll likely need to supervise daily dental hygiene habits until they have proven themselves capable of executing proper technique.
Children are also prone to accidents. It is during this stage of life where the risk for damage to teeth from outdoor activities or other accidents is greatest. If your child is playing any sports, it’s worth investing in a mouth guard to minimise the chances of broken, chipped or lost teeth as a result of injury.
Teenage Dental Health Is Important
During the teenage years, we tend to become more aware of our teeth and how they appear. While appearance isn’t nearly as important as function, there are some situations where the two are combined.
Take invisible braces as one example. Teeth that are unevenly spaced, crooked or otherwise misaligned can increase the chances of cavities, gum disease and other notable dental problems. As such, invisible braces may be recommended by your dentist once your teenage child has reached a certain age.
Invisible braces are actually more affordable than you might think. The clear brace cost UK residents face is often half (or less) of traditional wire braces. Companies such as Straight My Teeth offer affordable at-home dental impression kits that help create customised invisible braces. Straight My Teeth can help your teenager have healthy teeth – visit their website to find out more about clear braces.
Adult Oral Care Matters
Dental care in adulthood becomes a bit easier, if for no other reason than you’ve had time to learn the proper habits. As for people of all ages, dental appointments every six months are generally recommended.
Traditional flossing or water flossing is also very important. Given the average dietary habits of adults, it can become very easy for sugars and other substances to become lodged in between our teeth. This ultimately leads to a variety of cavities and other gum-related issues.
And don’t forget – the older we get, the more vulnerable our teeth become. This is why proper oral hygiene becomes an absolute must in adulthood.
Seniors Need Special Dental Care
Seniors and the elderly have unique challenges to overcome with regard to dental health. While some may be able to maintain healthy, natural teeth for their entire lives, many older people require dentures or dental implants at some point. These require a variety of special dental and oral health considerations, which you can read about by clicking here.
Various forms of medication can also affect the oral health of your mouth. This can include increasing or decreasing the amount of saliva produced, or altering the natural biology inside the mouth. Common issues that older people face include gingivitis and halitosis.
To address these issue, special dental care with a dentist who understands elderly teeth and oral hygiene is recommended. While all dentists have an understanding of the problems that older patients face, a dentist who works with these individuals specifically is a better option in most cases.
Regardless of who or how many people are in your family, taking care of their unique dental needs is vital! Now that you know what to expect in each phase of life, you can implement these tips and recommendations with everybody you take care of regularly.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.
