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Oral Hygiene

Nurture healthy smiles with oral hygiene mastery. Trust our experts for personalized care and a radiant, confident smile.

A Complete Guide to Oral Health Advice for All Ages

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Maintaining a healthy, bright smile as you age requires you to modify your dental care regimen, as oral health is a lifelong endeavor. We’ll talk about dental health advice in this blog article for all ages, from early childhood to old age. This thorough guide will assist you in making decisions that will protect your teeth and gums at any age, whether you’re taking care of your own oral health or the dental health of those you love.

Early Life and School Age (0–12 years)

  • Start Early: Your child should receive dental treatment as soon as their first tooth erupts. Before teeth erupt, wipe the gums with a gentle, wet cloth.
  • Choosing Toothpaste: For youngsters three years of age and up, use a pea-sized quantity of fluoride toothpaste as soon as teeth erupt. For children less than three, wash their teeth with water.
  • Consistent Dental Exams: By the time your child turns one, make an appointment for their first dental visit. Frequent examinations aid in tracking development and progress, identify problems early, and offer insightful preventive guidance.
  • Nutritional Knowledge: Cut back on sugary meals and beverages to avoid cavities. Promote a diet high in fruits and vegetables that is well-balanced.

Teens, ages 13 to 19

  • Dentistry Services:Many teenagers require orthodontic care. See an orthodontist to address any alignment problems and to make sure you maintain good dental hygiene during treatment.
  • Regularity of oral hygiene: Encourage practicing proper oral hygiene. Make sure your adolescent follows their dentist’s instructions and brushes and flosses at least twice a day.
  •  Safety in Sports: If your teenager plays contact sports, you should think about getting them a mouthguard to prevent oral damage.

Adulthood (ages 20–64)

  • Consistent Care: Keep up a regular dental check-up schedule and brushing and flossing regimen. You must maintain these behaviors if you want to maintain your dental health.
  • Avoid Tobacco: The risks of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer are increased by smoking and tobacco usage. In order to stop using tobacco, get help.
  • Reduce Alcohol Use:Drinking too much alcohol can damage oral tissues and raise the chance of developing mouth cancer. Drink only in moderation.
  • Diet Is Important: A balanced diet promotes both dental and general health. Strong teeth and bones depend on having enough calcium and vitamin D in their bodies.

seniors (those over 65)

  • Regular Dental Appointments: Maintain your routine dental checkups since oral health problems can occur at any age. Treat gum disease and dry mouth as soon as possible.
  •  Rehydrating Orally: Dry mouth is a common ailment among seniors that can exacerbate gum disease and cavities. Consider using mouth moisturizers and staying hydrated.
  • Denture Care: If you wear dentures, make sure you keep them clean and make frequent trips to the dentist.
  • Screening for Oral Cancer: It’s crucial to get regular oral cancer screenings, especially for older adults. For therapy to be successful, early diagnosis is essential.

In summary

Maintaining good oral health is a lifetime commitment that is necessary for both general wellbeing and a beautiful smile at any age. You may have strong teeth and healthy gums for the rest of your life if you heed these age-appropriate dental hygiene recommendations. Remember that your dentist is your partner in keeping your mouth healthy, so make time for routine examinations and consult them about any diseases or concerns that are specific to your age. Your grin will be appreciative of it!

Dental Fun Facts…What Did You Know?

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Dentistry may not be everyone’s favorite subject, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be interesting and entertaining. In this blog article, we’ll look at several fascinating and unexpected dental facts that may transform the way you think about your pearly whites. So, with these “Did You Know?” dentistry facts, let’s delve into the realm of teeth, gums, and oral health.

Fact #1: Your tooth enamel is extremely tough.

Tooth enamel is the strongest material in the human body, outperforming bone. It’s mostly made of hydroxyapatite, a mineral that gives it incredible toughness. This does not imply it is impenetrable to harm; thus, it is essential to take proper care of your enamel in order to keep your teeth healthy and robust.

 Fact #2: The average person brushes their teeth 38.5 times each year.

Most dentists recommend cleaning your teeth twice a day for two minutes. When all those minutes are added up over a lifetime, the typical individual spends 38.5 days cleaning their teeth. That’s a little thing to pay to keep your teeth healthy!

Fact #3: Teeth, like fingerprints, are unique.

Your teeth, like your fingerprints, are completely unique. Dental patterns change even among identical twins. This uniqueness is one of the reasons why dental records are such an important tool for identifying people, particularly in forensic research.

Fact 4: An Ancient Type of Chewing Gum

Chewing gum has been around for thousands of years, did you know? To keep their breath fresh, ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Mayans chewed on tree resin. While modern chewing gum is different, the principle has been around for a long time.

 Fact #5: Trillions of Bacteria Live in Your Mouth

Microorganisms abound in your mouth. In fact, it is believed that there are more germs in your mouth than humans on the planet! While the majority of these bacteria are harmless or even beneficial, some can cause tooth decay and gum disease, which is why basic dental hygiene is essential.

Fact #6: Baby Teeth Are Born

Baby teeth, often known as baby teeth or deciduous teeth, are present from birth. These teeth normally erupt from behind the gums during the first six months of life. It is critical to care for these baby teeth because they serve an important function in speech development and provide room for the permanent teeth.

Fact #7: Switzerland Invented the Electric Toothbrush

A Swiss doctor called Philippe-Guy Woog created the first electric toothbrush in 1954. Since then, the electric toothbrush has been a popular alternative for individuals seeking a thorough and quick clean.

 Fact #8: Your Teeth Can Tell You About Your Overall Health

Dentists can frequently discover indicators of systemic health problems based on your oral health. Diabetes, heart problems, and even some forms of cancer can all cause sensations in your mouth. Regular dental check-ups can aid in the detection of these disorders.

Fact #9: Some people are more afraid of dentists than spiders.

Dentophobia, or the dread of going to the dentist, is more frequent than arachnophobia, or the fear of spiders. If you’re one of those folks, keep in mind that contemporary dentistry focuses on making your experience as painless and comfortable as possible.

Fact #10: George Washington did not have wooden teeth.

George Washington’s fake teeth were not constructed of wood, contrary to common perception. They were made from a mix of materials, including human teeth, animal teeth, and ivory. Washington had oral difficulties throughout his life, and his many dentures represented the dentistry practices of the day.

These dental facts serve as a reminder that oral health is an interesting and necessary element of our lives. It’s always interesting to uncover the unique and unusual characteristics of our teeth and gums, whether you’re learning something new or refreshing your dental knowledge. So, keep brushing, flossing, and smiling, and remember that maintaining good dental health can be a fun adventure!

Tooth Decay

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Are you aware of how important it is that you have an effective oral hygiene routine to keep your smile safe? Although various forms of oral accidents and injuries can come along and destroy your smile, underlying risks such as microscopic damage related to acids in your mouth can also slowly tear down your teeth and gums. Because of the risk of tooth decay, it is important to always establish effective risk prevention plans to not only keep your smile clean and free of debris but also limit the effects of tooth decay that begin to arise.

Learning about the risk of plaque buildup in your mouth is one of the key preventive treatments for limiting the risk of tooth decay. Because tooth decay can lead to several oral health problems, including eventual tooth loss, you will need to make sure that plaque is not allowed to collect in your mouth. Plaque is a thin layer that rests on your teeth, but it is possible to remove it through the use of brushes and dental floss. By brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing between your teeth once a day, you can drastically lower your risk of plaque buildup. However, if plaque goes untreated, it can eventually turn into a hard substance known as tartar, which can only be removed with the help of professional care.

If you have any concerns about your oral hygiene or your enamel being worn down, speak with your dentist. Furthermore, routine checkups and examinations at your dentist can prove to be extremely beneficial, as knowing your oral health risks is the first step in providing preventive treatments. Be sure to visit your dentist every 6 months for a bi-annual professional cleaning.

Your smile and your oral health can receive a boost with tooth decay prevention. If you wish to visit the dental office of Wausau Smiles in Wausau, Wisconsin, you can book an exam by calling us at 715-842-3933. Dr. Aaron Bushong and our entire team look forward to providing you with the tooth decay prevention and care you need.