Dentistry For All Ages
Dentist Cambridge, OH
 Taking care of your mouth is important for maintaining a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile. Proper oral care, including brushing, flossing, and professional dental care, is essential for everyone of all ages, from infants to seniors. OHIOSmiles is here to help.
Oral Care and Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your oral health not only affects your overall health but the health of your developing baby as well. Your hormones fluctuate as your baby grows. Changes in your hormones can exaggerate the ways that your gums react to plaque and bacteria. Many women are prone to swollen gums that bleed during brushing and flossing. This is known as pregnancy gingivitis. Without proper care, the buildup in your mouth can allow gum disease to worsen, which can have serious effects on not just your oral health but the health of your baby as well.
Gum disease can cause issues such as preterm birth and low birthweight. Taking care of your teeth with regular brushing and flossing, as well as maintaining regular dental cleanings and exams, is essential for keeping your mouth healthy and protecting your developing baby.
Infants and Children
Babies are born with 20 teeth below the gumline. These teeth typically begin to erupt between the ages of 6 months to a year. All teeth are typically in by the age of 3. Even before the teeth have erupted, it is important that you provide your infant with oral care. Using a damp washcloth, gently rub their gums to remove sugars, food debris, and bacteria.
Once the teeth begin to erupt, it is time to start using a toothbrush. Choose a soft-bristled brush with a small head and use a rice-sized amount of toothpaste. Around the age of 3, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste can be used. Help your child to brush their teeth twice a day, and continue to do so until you are confident they can do so on their own.
In addition to home care, your child should also have regular dental cleanings and exams. Your child should have these visits every six months, just like you. Their first visit should be six months after the eruption of their first baby tooth, or by their first birthday. We can monitor the development of their baby teeth as well as their adult teeth later on. We can also help your child to prevent cavities by keeping their teeth clean as well as providing fluoride treatments and sealants.
Read More About Children's Dentistry
Teens
Teens have very busy schedules, and oral hygiene can often get pushed to the backburner. It is important that your teen continue to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day. We can provide them with tips and tricks to help maintain optimal oral health and a beautiful smile. We can also address common concerns faced by many teenagers, including causes and treatments for bad breath, eating disorders, smoking, and the effects of oral piercings.
Orthodontic treatment is also a common treatment for younger teens. We can help your child maintain a healthy mouth while they undergo treatment with braces, helping them to prevent serious issues such as decay, gum disease, and decalcification.
Adults under 40
In your adult years, your jaw is finished growing, but that does not mean that your oral care habits should change. You should continue to brush at least twice a day and floss once daily. Routine dental cleanings and exams are also essential. We can continue to help you protect your mouth from issues such as gum disease and cavities. We can address other issues faced by many adults, such as tooth discoloration and tooth sensitivity. Many young adults deal with impacted wisdom teeth, which can cause significant pain and other complications. We can treat impacted wisdom teeth with extractions.
Adults 40 to 60
As you get older, your risk for certain issues increases. This includes your risk for tooth loss and oral cancer. Taking good care of your mouth will help to protect the strength of your teeth. Routine cleanings and exams are also important. During your exams, we also screen your mouth for signs of oral cancer, which can help you to get the treatment you need before it spreads and becomes more difficult to treat. If you do suffer tooth loss, we can help to provide you with replacements, allowing you to maintain normal functions of your mouth and the beauty of your smile.
60 and Up
Just because you are getting older, that does not mean that you should have to deal with issues such as tooth loss. If you do lose teeth, we can provide you with replacements, such as bridges, dentures, and implants. We can also help you to maintain the health of your natural teeth, preventing tooth loss. This may include dealing with issues such as dry mouth, which can increase your risk for cavities and gum disease, and providing you with nutrition tips to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
No matter what your age, taking care of your mouth is essential for preventing serious oral health issues and maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile. For more information, and to schedule your appointment, call OHIOSmiles at (740) 781-0540 today. |
