It's no surprise that as we age, our bodies incur several physical changes. However, we tend to forget about our dental care changes as we grow. Consider these tips for oral care for you or your children to maintain a healthy smile.

Children

Once baby teeth erupt until about age 6, children are beginning to take care of their teeth. Supervision from parents and guardians is recommended to ensure they are creating and following a consistent brushing and flossing routine. At around six, children's adult teeth begin to grow. Therefore, maintaining proper dental hygiene is necessary at this stage for teeth to remain healthy in adulthood. At this point, children should be:

• Cleaning between the teeth every day using floss, soft picks or a small interdental brush.
• Brushing teeth twice daily for at least 2 minutes with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Wearing a mouthguard when participating in contact sports or high-risk activities.

At this stage of life, ensure your children eat healthy low-sugar snacks such as apples and sugar-free drink options to reduce the chance of tooth decay.

Adolescence

By adolescence, healthy dental habits should be well established and maintained. All adult teeth should be grown in and tooth misalignment and potentially wisdom teeth growth may be noticeable. To address these concerns, adolescents should:

• Continue to visit the dentist regularly for oral examinations and X-rays as recommended. Orthodontic monitoring often starts even earlier.
• Keep track of toothaches and visit the dentist if the pain is long-term. Pain could be the result of a cavity or wisdom teeth below the gums.
• Take extra time flossing between braces. If clear aligners are used, they should be cleaned daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a gentle, clear liquid soap.

Adulthood

Dental aesthetics take on additional importance during this stage of life. Teeth may begin to show signs of staining and weakness. Confidence may be connected to how healthy your smile looks and feels. Maintaining consistent oral care is needed to prevent or reduce the possibility of oral cancers and diseases.

Adults in this stage should:

• Discuss with the dentist for solutions for a whiter and brighter smile; including veneers and teeth whitening.
• Be aware of physical damage to teeth, such as cracked teeth and teeth grinding during sleep (bruxism). Discuss getting a nightguard with your dentist to prevent tooth damage and mitigate other issues.
• Avoid tobacco products and alcohol to reduce your risk of oral cancers.

Pregnancy

• Take extra care of your teeth during pregnancy. While pregnant, women are more susceptible to oral complications like gingivitis, cavities and swollen gums. A higher intake of total dairy products, yogurt, and calcium during pregnancy tends to be associated with a lower risk of cavities. Your body will strip calcium from wherever it needs to make sure a growing baby has its needs covered.

Later Adulthood

At this stage, it is as important as ever to monitor these oral issues as they can quickly develop into serious health problems. Like other age groups, it's important to follow an oral hygiene routine to keep teeth healthy for the rest of your life. People in this age group should:

• Keep an eye on your gums. Gums recede as we age, leading to toothaches and other complications due to teeth root exposure.
• Clean dentures daily! Remove your dentures at night and clean them at least once a day to avoid the possibility of fungal infections. You can also consider dental implants for missing teeth for a more long-term solution.
• Be mindful of your medications. Discuss with your dentist how your medications could contribute to mouth dryness and the likelihood of cavities.

Overall consistency is key to preventing oral issues. Regardless of age, we recommend visiting the dentist at least once a year, and often twice, to maintain healthy teeth and gums. If you're due for an annual check-up, contact us today for an appointment.