Plant The Seeds Of Good Oral Health (NAPSA)—To keep your smile Pr | I healthy, you should know that your oral health needs evolve with age. Cultivate strong teeth by planting the seeds for goodoral health early and knowing whatto watchforatdifferentlife stages. Babies and Toddlers Baby teeth are susceptible to cav- ities and need daily upkeep from the beginning.Before thefirst tooth arrives, wipe your baby’s gumswith soft, clean Smart dental practices—brushing, cloth after each feeding to get rid of flossing and seeingthe dentist—can unwanted bacteria. Oncethefirst tooth help keep your smile healthy and doesappear, brush with fluoride tooth- happyall throughyourlife. paste and toothbrushes designed for babies and youngerchildren. For chil- health as adolescence is often the time dren under 3 years old, use an amount when gingivitis begins. Symptomslike of toothpaste no morethan the size of gum redness, swelling, bleeding and a grain ofrice and no more than a pea- tenderness can indicate the presence sized amountfor kids between 3 and 6 yearsold. Babies should also have their first dentist appointment six months after theirfirst tooth or before age1. During these early years,it's crucial that children learn oral health routines that will keep their smiles healthy into adulthood. Teach your little one good habits early by demonstrating how to brush,reiterating the need to brush for twofull minutes twice a day and making it fun. Children and Adolescents Childhood and adolescence (ages 10-19) are the timesto reinforce good habits and take steps to guard against common mouth issues. Supervise your child’s brushing until age 8 andflossing until age 10. You canalso talk with the dentist about preventive measures such as sealants to protect againstcavities and mouth guards to protect from mouth injuries. Dr. Fred Eichmiller, Vice President and ChiefScience Officer for Delta Den- tal of Wisconsin, emphasizes the need forinstilling oral health habits in children andadolescents. “Therisk of cavities is highestin adolescents for multiple reasons,including the eruption of cavity-prone second molar teeth, dietary choices andoftentimeslack of personal oral health care,’ said Dr. Eichmiller. “Practices including brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once daily, choosing healthy snacks, drinking fluoridated water andvisiting the dentist regularly will help ensure the adolescent maintainsa healthy smile” In addition, pay attention to gum ofgingivitis. Alert the dentist if any of these symptoms is present. Adults Asan adult, the wear and tear your teeth experience over time can become noticeable by causing such symptoms as discoloration, cavity susceptibility and tooth cracks or chips. Keep your teeth strong by maintaining a proper oral health routine that includes brush- ing and flossing daily, eating mouthfriendly foods and scheduling regular dentalvisits. Avoid harmful substances. Tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption can put you at higher risk for oral cancer, which occurs mostoften after age 60. Take steps to prevent oral can- cer and look out for early signs with home screenings. Mouth symptoms can includesores, red or white patches, persistent pain or numbness, lumps or rough spots, and issues with chewing and swallowing. If you experience any of these symptomsfor longer than two weeks, speak to yourdentist. Another factor to consider is that the nerves in your teeth may grow less sensitive, making it less likely that you'll notice the developmentof cavi- ties, Maintain regular checkups so your dentist can catch any mouth issuesearly before they progress. Good oral health requires dedication, but by tending to your mouth with care, you can keep yoursmile healthy at anyage. Learn More For further facts and dental health tips, go to www.deltadentalwi.com. Editor's Note: AlthoughJuneis National Smile Month,this article can be ofinteresttoyourreaders at any time.
