Most of our parents taught us that taking care of our oral health is important, even at an early age. The teeth and gums not only help us chew and grind our food, but they can also help us smile and do other functionalities such as talking and swallowing. A child’s teeth develop around 6 to 12 months old and can fall out around six years old. It is important to take care of our oral health at any stage of our life. Here’s a breakthrough on the important stages of a person’s dental health:
- Childhood – During early childhood years, the first set of teeth grows. Although the first set of teeth is only around 20 teeth, these are still primary teeth and can fall out as they age a little older. When a patient is around this stage, it is important to help them build the right habits and influence their diet that can be beneficial for their oral health, such as eating nuts, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
- Teenage Years – When a child hits puberty, it is important to check the status of their oral health as these are the years wherein they develop oral health problems such as overcrowded teeth, teeth gaps, and cavities which can be a result of an unhealthy habit when they were younger. Orthodontic treatments are popular among teenagers, especially for people who are experiencing bite problems and crowded teeth. At this age, teenagers explore their favourite sports, which means they can be prone to injuries such as an injury to the jaw. A protective mouthpiece, such as a mouthguard, can be helpful when engaging in contact sports.
- Adulthood – In this stage, a person’s dental health status will vary depending on their lifestyle. Most people at this age will experience a more complex tartar build-up due to aging. Gum disease is common among adults since the tartar can develop below the gum line at this age. Although gum diseases are common at this age, it’s not too late to reverse them, especially when it’s still in the early stages. Dental fillings are also common at this stage since most adults engage in more acidic drinks, such as soft drinks and beer, which can heavily erode the enamel.
- Senior Years – When a person reaches their senior years, they are prone to various dental health problems, such as tooth loss, since the enamel has gone through a lot in their prime years. Restorative treatments, such as dentures, implants, crowns and bridges, are common at this stage, which can aid a person’s oral health functionality like chewing, biting, and speaking.
Taking care of your oral health is one of the most beneficial and rewarding investments. Aside from saving on costly treatment as you age, it also minimizes the pain and discomfort as you age. Flossing and brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the fundamental parts of caring for your teeth, but most people overlook that visiting the dentist regularly is what completes your routine dental hygiene.
Are you looking for a dentist in Edmonton? Visit Smile Zone today. We offer a wide array of treatments that can aid your unique dental needs. Visit us or call us at (780) 989-5733 to book an appointment. We would be happy to accommodate you!