Sunday 23 October 2016

Boast of a healthy smile at every age

You can boast of a million dollar smile and a healthy set of pearly whites your entire life. Here is how to keep your teeth in good shape at every age.

Healthy teeth for toddlers and babies

Start paying attention to your baby’s smile as early as possible. Experts recommend cleaning the baby’s gums with soft infant toothbrush, water or wash cloth. Once the teeth start to appear, brush them with soft fluoridated toothpaste. Remember, your child’s first dental trip should take place as soon as the first tooth comes out. Continue to take your child for regular checkups from there on.

Teen dental health

Our jaw and face undergo several changes during our teenage. As we age, our biting edge starts losing its softness and starts to flatten. It is at this age that all permanent teeth come out. Dental decay is a big risk to the dental health of a teen, and gum disease such as gingivitis can take a toll on the smile by causing swollen, red, and sometimes bleeding gums. It is important to go for regular dental checkups and maintain a good oral regimen.

Healthy smile during 20’s and 30’s

By the time we reach our late twenties, our biting edge becomes flat. The position of our teeth may also change. It becomes all the more important to be aware of how beverages and foods may be affecting our healthy smile negatively. Fruit drinks, sodas, citrus fruits, sugar and tomatoes may soften the enamel and increase the chances of tooth decay. Also, beware of the amount of stain-causing drinks you consume.

Tooth Health during 40’s

Even if you had perfect teeth in your younger days, they may start to give way in your forties if the previously done orthodontic work is not properly maintained with a tray or retainer. The movements are normally very subtle, but crossover irregularities and gaps may occur. This is a good time to get all your old fillings checked if you have had them for many years. Forties are also the perfect time to rejuvenate the color of your teeth through whitening and bleaching.

Healthy gums in the 50’s

Our tooth color continues to change in our fifties, but now, apart from yellowing and darkening, the teeth are also likely to get worn down and chipped. This may be the result of natural deterioration from chewing and from teeth grinding. While bleaching can help lighten the tooth’s color, only veneers can correct the tooth’s length. Though, in certain cases, dental bonding — a process where tooth-colored resin is attached to the tooth, may be able to help cover stains and chips.

Healthy smile during the 60’s and above

Color of the teeth gets even darker in the sixties, and because the stains are now deep in the structure of the tooth, it gets even more difficult to get the teeth as white as they once were. Therefore, those seeking whitening treatment in their 60’s may need more sessions than a person who is younger.

The teeth may also start to rotate and move at this age, causing spacing and overlapping. One of the best ways of correcting it is with either veneers or Invisalign. If you wish to live a healthy life at every stage make sure you keep your teeth in good shape. Regular visits to the dental expert can save you a lot of health problems later on.