With a daily oral care routine and regular visits with Dr. Martin at Waco Dental, your teeth can stay healthy and strong throughout your entire life. However, you may not know that your teeth need different care depending on the life stage you are in.
Teeth Life Stages
The life stages of teeth include: Pregnancy, Babies & Kids, Teenagers, Young Adults, and Adults Over 40.
Pregnancy and Oral Health
Congratulations Mom! This life stage is a double-header. Taking care of your physical and oral health can make sure that your baby has a great start. Poor oral hygiene has been associated with premature delivery, gestational diabetes, and even preeclampsia.
Most women don’t expect some of the oral health challenges that come with pregnancy. Women entering their second trimester are likely to develop mild gum disease that leads to sensitive bleeding gums. You may also feel like your teeth are becoming slightly loose or more sensitive after morning sickness. These situations are caused by a hormonal reaction causing changes in your body but are usually mild cases that a daily brushing and flossing routine can handle. However, if you are experiencing severe sensitivity or have lost a tooth, speak to Dr. Martin or your doctor as these can be signs of worsening conditions.
Babies & Kids
Having healthy teeth and a healthy mouth helps keep every child happy and healthy because dental problems can affect the rest of the body. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends a visit to the dentist when their first tooth appears. It can be tempting to try and save money by not taking a child to the dentist. However, early preventative care helps prevent dental problems from developing and saves you the cost of treatment later.
Teenagers
The teenage years are full of activity and new experiences. A well-established oral health routine will keep your teenager healthy and smiling. At this stage, we commonly recommend wearing mouth guards during sports activities, corrective alignment (with Invisalign), and wisdom teeth removal. This is a great opportunity to make sure the fundamentals of oral health are solidified and prioritized.
Young Adults
Welcome to adulthood! Your adult teeth are all in and your daily habits decide the health of your teeth. Still, the natural wear and tear of using your teeth may lead to needing a major procedure to save your natural teeth. This is also a great time to discover cosmetic & corrective treatments like teeth whitening and Invisalign. If you experience any severe pain or just have a question about your oral health, be sure to ask Dr. Martin during your semi-annual checkup & cleaning.
Adults Over 40
At this stage, it is normal for a person to require major dental work. This includes dental implants, dental crowns, root canal therapy, dental bridges, and more. There’s no need to be afraid. Dr. Martin and his team are dedicated to saving your natural teeth and restoring your smile for a lifetime. Regular cleanings and good oral hygiene can help prevent the necessity for dental restorations, but you can feel confident that Waco Dental has the tools, skills, and expertise to keep your teeth healthy and strong.
