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How Do I Care for My Baby's Teeth?
Good oral care starts from the beginning of your child's life. Even before his or her first teeth emerge, certain factors can affect their future appearance and health. For instance, tetracycline, a common antibiotic, can cause tooth discoloration. For this reason, they should not be used by nursing mothers or by expectant mothers in the last half of pregnancy.
Since baby teeth usually emerge around six months of age, standard oral health procedures like brushing and flossing aren't required for infants. However, infants have special oral health needs that every new parent should know about. These include guarding against baby bottle decay.
What Is Baby Bottle Decay and How Can I Prevent it?
Baby bottle decay is caused by frequent exposure, over time, to liquids containing sugars. These include milk, formula, and fruit juices. The sugary liquids pool around the teeth for long periods of time as your baby sleeps, leading to cavities that first develop in the upper and lower front teeth. For this reason, you shouldn't let your baby fall asleep with a bottle of juice or milk in his mouth. Instead, at naptime, give your child a bottle filled with water or a pacifier recommended by your dentist. If you breast-feed, avoid letting the baby nurse continuously. And after each feeding, wipe your baby's teeth and gums with a clean, damp washcloth or a gauze pad.
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How Can Teenagers Keep Their Teeth Bright and Healthy?
The best way for teens to enjoy a nice smile and healthy teeth is to continue the good oral habits started early in childhood. Whether or not you wear braces or other orthodontic treatment, it is important to:
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque. Plaque is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under your gumline. If plaque is not removed daily, it can harden into tartar-an unsightly, hard yellow build-up.
- Limit sugary or starchy foods, especially sticky snacks.
- Visit the dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups.
In addition to helping teeth last a lifetime, a clean mouth simply makes you feel good. It also gives you fresher breath and a nicer looking smile.
What Special Dental Issues Should a Teenager Know About?
Dental problems can and do occur during the teen years. Becoming better informed about issues that effect oral health can make it easier to make the best decisions.
- Orthodontics - Many pre-teens and teens require braces to fix crowded or crooked teeth and poor jaw alignment. Teeth that do not fit together correctly are harder to keep clean, stand a better chance of being lost early, and cause extra stress on the chewing muscles. An orthodontic evaluation will determine if you need braces, and what type of treatment is right for you. If you wear braces, extra care should be taken to properly clean your teeth.
- Mouth Guards - If you play sports, mouth guards are critical to protecting your smile. These devices typically cover the upper teeth, and are designed to protect against broken teeth, cut lips and other damage to your mouth. If you wear braces or other fixed dental appliances (such as a bridge) on your lower jaw, your dentist may suggest a mouth protector for these teeth as well.
- Nutrition - Nutrition plays a key role in your dental health. The sugars and starches in many snack foods and drinks support the formation of plaque, which destroys tooth enamel. Limit the number of snacks you eat and drink-each time you consume foods and drinks that contain sugars or starches, your teeth are attacked by acids for 20 minutes or more. Eating a well-balanced diet from the five food groups can make a big difference in your dental health. For snacks, choose nutritious foods such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt or fruit.
- Smoking - If you don't smoke or chew tobacco, don't start. In addition to other health problems, smoking can stain your teeth and gums, stain the tartar build-up on your teeth and contribute to bad breath. In the long run, chewing tobacco, cigarettes and cigars all increase your risk of developing oral cancer and gum disease. If you do use tobacco, let your dentist and physician know, and make sure you tell them about any mouth problems you may be experiencing.
- Oral Piercing - Despite its popularity, oral piercing can cause complications such as infections, uncontrollable bleeding and nerve damage. You can also choke on studs, barbells, or hoops that come loose, and the metal jewellery can also chip or crack teeth and damage your gums. If you're considering oral piercing, let your dentist know; he or she can help you make the safest choices.
- Eating Disorders - Both bulimia (binge-eating and vomiting) and anorexia (an undue fear of gaining weight often resulting in vomiting) are serious disorders and also directly affect the appearance of teeth by eroding the tooth enamel. While a dentist can treat the dissolved tooth enamel, he or she cannot treat the actual eating disorder-a potential life-threatening condition that requires addressing psychological issues. Should you have an eating disorder - or think you might - talk to your GP.
How Can I Help Make My Teeth Look Whiter?
Thorough cleanings by a dental professional will remove most external staining caused by food and tobacco. Using a whitening toothpaste can also help remove these surface stains between dental visits. If stains have been present for years, you may need to have your teeth professionally whitened to remove these more stubborn external stains.
Internal stains can be bleached, bonded or capped (crowned). While each of these methods is safe and effective, your dentist will recommend which treatment is appropriate for you depending on the state of your teeth and the results that you wish to achieve.
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How Do I Best Care for My Teeth as an Adult?
The key to keeping a bright, healthy smile throughout adulthood is to practice proper oral hygiene. Even adults can get cavities, as well as gum disease, that can lead to serious problems. Throughout your adult life, it's important to continue to:
Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque-the sticky film on your teeth that's the main cause of tooth decay.
- Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under your gumline, before it can harden into tartar. Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed by a professional cleaning.
- Limit sugary or starchy foods, especially sticky snacks. The more often you snack between meals, the more chances you give the acids in plaque to attack your tooth enamel.
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups.
What Special Dental Issues Should I Be Aware Of as an Adult?
Even if you brush and floss regularly, you may face certain oral health issues as an adult. Luckily, your dentist can help you meet most of these challenges quite successfully.
- Gum disease begins as gingivitis, which at this early stage is still reversible. Symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen or tender gums that tend to bleed when you brush them. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your dentist-before serious problems develop. Advanced stages of gum disease may lead to tooth loss.
The health of your gums can also affect your overall health. Recent studies have shown a possible link between periodontitis (a form of gum disease) and other diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and a possible link to premature births. To prevent gum disease from getting started in the first place, be sure to brush twice a day, floss daily and schedule professional cleanings every six months.
- Cavities around existing fillings (called recurrent decay) and decay on the root surfaces of the teeth become more common as we age. So it's important to brush with a fluoride toothpaste, floss daily and see your dentist regularly.
- Sensitivity can be an increasing problem as one ages. Your gums naturally recede over time, exposing areas of the tooth that are not protected by enamel. These areas are particularly prone to pain due to cold or hot foods or beverages. In severe cases cold air, as well as sensitivity to sour and sweet drinks and foods, can occur. If you experience sensitivity, try an anti-sensitivity toothpaste. If the problem persists, see your dentist, as the sensitivity may be an indication of a more serious condition, such as a cavity or a cracked or fractured tooth.
- Crowns are used to strengthen damaged teeth. A crown entirely covers or "caps" a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. Implants and bridges are used to replace missing ones. Dental implants replace one or more teeth or are used to attach full or partial dentures. Consult with your dentist to see if implants are right for you. Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space.
How Can I Help Make My Teeth Look Whiter?
Thorough cleanings by a dental professional will remove most external staining caused by food and tobacco. Using a whitening toothpaste can also help remove these surface stains between dental visits. If stains have been present for years, you may need to have your teeth professionally whitened to remove these more stubborn external stains.
Internal stains can be bleached, bonded or capped (crowned). While each of these methods is safe and effective, your dentist will recommend which treatment is appropriate for you depending on the state of your teeth and the results that you wish to achieve.
What Effect Does Diet Have On My Oral Health?
In addition to greatly affecting your overall health, proper nutrition is necessary for healthy teeth and gums. Eating a well-balanced diet gives your gum tissues and teeth the important nutrients and minerals they need to stay strong and resist infections, which can contribute to gum disease. In addition, firm, fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables tend to help clean the teeth and tissues. Soft, sticky foods tend to remain on the grooves and between teeth, producing more plaque.
Each time you consume foods and drinks that contain sugars or starches, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack your teeth for 20 minutes or more. To reduce damage to your tooth enamel, limit the number or between meal snacks and drinks. And when you do snack, choose nutritious foods such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt or fruit.
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How Do I Maintain Good Oral Health in My Senior Years?
Your teeth can last a lifetime with proper home care and regular dental checkups. No matter what your age, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy by brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily and seeing your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups.
What Special Oral Health Issues Should I Know About as a Senior?
Even if you brush and floss regularly, you may face certain issues in your senior years when it comes to your oral health. Wearing dentures, taking medications and general health conditions are some of the issues many seniors face. Luckily, your dentist and physician can help you meet most of these challenges quite successfully.
- Root Caries: When gums recede, even slightly, they can expose the roots of the teeth, which are much more susceptible to dental decay. As seniors have a higher occurance of gum recession, proper oral hygiene using a fluoride toothpaste is vital to maintaining a healthy mouth.
- Secondary Caries: Decay around old fillings, called secondary or recurrent decay, can also occur more frequently in seniors, especially those with multiple dental fillings or fillings that have been in place for many years. Again, proper oral hygiene with the use of a fluoride toothpaste is the first line of defense in prevention.
- Sensitivity can be an increasing problem as one ages. Your gums can recede over time from past experiences with periodontal disease, exposing areas of the tooth that are not protected by enamel. These areas are particularly prone to pain due to cold or hot foods or beverages. In severe cases cold air, as well as sensitivity to sour and sweet drinks and foods, can occur. If you experience sensitivity, try an anti-sensitivity toothpaste. If the problem persists, see your dentist, as the sensitivity may be an indication of a more serious condition, such as a cavity or a cracked or fractured tooth.
- Dry mouth is a common condition in seniors, and one that may be caused by medications or certain medical disorders. Left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth. Your dentist can recommend various methods to restore moisture in your mouth, as well as appropriate treatments or medications to help prevent the problems associated with dry mouth.
- Existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, can affect your oral health. Be sure to let your dentist know of any general health issues you're facing, so that her or she understands the whole situation and can help you meet your special requirements.
- Dentures can make life easier for many seniors, but they require special care. Follow your dentist's instructions carefully and see your dentist if any problems arise. An annual checkup is recommended for long-term denture wearers.
- Gum disease is a potentially serious condition that can affect people of all ages, but especially people over 40. A number of factors can increase the severity of gum disease, including:
- Bad diet
- Poor oral hygiene
- Systemic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
- Environmental factors such as: stress and smoking
- Certain medications that can influence gum condition
Because the earliest stages of gum disease are reversible, it is important to spot it early on. Regular dental checkups can insure early detection and treatment of gum disease. Best of all, it is easy to prevent gum disease from developing in the first place, by practicing proper oral hygiene.
- Crowns and bridges are used to strengthen damaged teeth or replace missing ones. A crown is used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space.
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