Dental Tips 101

No matter your age, it is vital that you are practicing good dental hygiene. Whether you are pregnant and having your first child, or you are a grandparent expecting your first grandchild, brushing and flossing daily are very important. Mouth Healthy, a website brought to you by the American Dental Association, has tips for every age group on how to keep your mouth in the best possible shape.

Pregnancy

Congratulations on this very exciting time of your life! As a father of three beautiful children, I know that there is a lot to think about and plan for when expecting a child, but you must remember to never forget about your mouth. It may be easy to forget about, but all the changing hormone levels that occur with pregnancy can actually make some dental problems worse. During pregnancy, it is important to continue to see your dentist for oral examinations and professional teeth cleanings. Make sure to tell your dentist that you are pregnant and about any changes you have noticed in your oral health. If your mouth is healthy, it’s more likely that your baby’s mouth will be healthy. To help make sure you keep your mouth in shape while pregnant, the American Dental Association, along with Mouth Healthy, has compiled a list of tips to follow during pregnancy that can be found here.

Adults under 40

Did you know that your smile is the first thing a person notices about you? Nothing ruins a smile quite like bad teeth and gums. Untreated dental disease can lead to serious health problems such as infection, damage to bone or nerve and tooth loss. Dental infections that are left untreated can even spread to other parts of the body and in some cases can be life threatening. The best way to keep a clean and healthy mouth is by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing between teeth once a day, eating a balanced diet and limiting between-meal snacks. Also, don’t forget to schedule regular dental visits. By following a healthy dental routine and making smart food choices, you can lower your risk for tooth decay. The American Dental Association, along with Mouth Healthy, created a Fact or Fiction quiz to see if you know how to keep your mouth healthy. Test yourself with the Fact or Fiction Adults Under 40 quiz.

Adults 40-60

Your morning coffee should never be painful. I know it is tough finding time to balance everything in life, but don’t forget about your oral health. Did you know that the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has three or more decayed or missing teeth? If you are missing one or more teeth, there are plenty of reasons to correct the problem. Taking care of your mouth and seeing the dentist is just as important now as it was when you were a child. Untreated dental disease can lead to serious health problems such as infection, damage to bone or nerve and tooth loss. To learn more, the American Dental Association, along with Mouth Healthy, has created a Common Dental Problems list for adults ages 40-60. Remember, you can keep your smile forever.

Adults over 60

Getting older doesn’t mean losing teeth. Maintaining a clean mouth now is especially important because unhealthy bacteria in the mouth can not only can harm your teeth and gums but may be associated with serious medical conditions. Research has shown that infections in the mouth may be associated with heart disease, Alzheimer’s, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia and other health problems that are common in older adults. Always remember that brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing between teeth once a day, eating a balanced diet, limiting between-meal snacks and having regular dentist visits is the way to keep your mouth healthy. To test your knowledge on a clean mouth, the American Dental Association, along with Mouth Healthy, has created a Fact or Fiction Adults over

60 quiz.

The office of Dr. Shane McDowell has an excellent trained staff to assist with whatever mouth problems you have. To schedule an appointment, take a look at services, or even to look at patient testimonials please visit our website at www.myfortmyersdentist.com or call 239-936-0597 to make an appointment.