One should never underestimate the importance of dental care and oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth is not only good for teeth and gums, but for your overall health. When plaque begins to build up and left untreated, it irritates the gums until they bleed. This allows bacteria into your blood stream and can lead to not only tooth decay, but also heart conditions and make diabetes harder to control.
Proper hygiene includes brushing and flossing at least twice a day, limiting the amount of sugary treats you eat and drink, and twice a year visits to the dentist. When you ignore your teeth, you put your whole health in danger. However, taking good care of your mouth can actually help to improve your health. Some aspects of dental care and oral hygiene are age specific, starting in infancy.
Even before your baby starts to teethe, you should gently wipe their mouth and gums with a wet washcloth. Do not allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle. By doing so, the milk or juice lays on the teeth and gums, and may cause baby bottle decay. If they must have a bottle for bed, put water in it instead or try a pacifier.
As your child's teeth begin to come in, it can be painful and rubbing their gums or using frozen teething rings or medication can help relieve some pain. Wipe off the gums with a wet washcloth twice a day, and when teeth come in you can start brushing. For toddlers under two, it is recommended not to use toothpaste or only a tiny pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Their first dental appointment should be scheduled around the age of two.
By the time your child has reached their teens, they should already have good oral hygiene habits. To help set those habits, make an example by following practicing good oral hygiene yourself. You cannot control what they eat when they are not at home, but in the home keep the junk foods to a minimum. Stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables for snacking.
Adults should already be in the practice of brushing twice a day and flossing at least once. But as you age, that is the time to start watching for signs of gingivitis. The signs of gum disease may include redness, tenderness, or swelling. If you experience any of those signs, then you need to contact your dentist. Even though you are all grown up, you still need to watch the sugary and junk foods and visit the dentist twice a year for checkups too.
If your water is not fluoridated in your area, then you should talk to your dentist about using supplemental fluoride. This is especially important for infants because fluoride is essential even before teeth start to form. Simple lifestyle changes can improve oral health also, such as a balanced diet high in calcium and vitamin C and avoiding smoking, which is a factor for gum disease.
Never underestimate the importance of dental care and oral hygiene. It is about so much more than just a beautiful smile. The state of your teeth and gums can be a sign for something else going on in the body. Regular visits to your dentist and proper oral hygiene can help prevent and treat problems before they get out of hand.
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