Protecting Family Members Oral Health

Gum disease can happen to anyone at any age. It is important to protect your health by caring for your mouth, teeth and gums with proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist. Each family member will have special oral needs at different times of their lives.

Over all the steps a family can take to protect their oral health are to:

Schedule regular visits with your dentist. Most insurance programs pay for two yearly visits at 6-month intervals.

Brush teeth on a regular basis after meals.

Floss once a day to remove food particles from between your teeth.

Use a mouth rinse daily.

Oral problems that need special attention from your dentist or periodontist include:

Bleeding gums while you brush

Red, swollen or tender gums

If you notice that your gums have pulled away from your teeth, exposing more of your lower teeth.

If you or someone else notices that you have persistant bad breath.

You notice pus between your teeth and gums.

Your teeth become loose or seem to be separating from your gums.

You notice that when you bite down your teeth seem to fit differently.

If you wear dentures, and you notice that they fit differently, this could be a sign of gum disease.

Always tell your dentist if you are taking any medications because some medications can cause dry mouth, or may have other effects on your oral health.

Unborn babies and young babies:

Certain antibiotics if used during the last half of pregnancy can discolor a babies first teeth. Tetracycline, is one antibiotic known to do this, so pregnant women should inform all health care providers that they are pregnant.

Oral care is important even before teeth erupt in a baby's mouth. One of the things moms can do for their toothless babies is to be sure they do not get them in the habit of going to sleep with a baby bottle in their mouth. Baby bottle decay occurs when liquids containing sugars such as milk, formula and fruit juices are left to pool in a baby's mouth for long periods of time. Bottles of water or a pacifier are better than other bottles at bedtime.

After breastfeeding or bottle-feeding wipe your baby's gums and when they come in, their teeth with a clean, damp washcloth.

Fluoride is important to a baby, even before their teeth come in. Most cities supply fluoride in the water supply, so ask if yours does. Most toothpaste has fluoride added so after the teeth erupt, your baby may receive fluoride this way as well. Speak with your pediatrician or dentist to be sure your baby is receiving enough fluoride. Fluoride supplements may be prescribed if they are necessary.

Toddlers and Young Children Under Five

Children five years of age or younger need to be supervised while brushing their teeth and adults should brush for them after they have tried, to be sure that the teeth are brushed properly.

Flossing may begin at age 4. Today, there are individual flossers made of plastic that make flossing easy for kids (and adults) to do.

Children need to see the adults in the household setting a good example of teeth brushing and flossing so that they can emulate their actions.

Eating a well balanced meal that limits starch and sugary foods will help to reduce plaque acids. Starches and sugars should be eaten with a meal instead of as a snack because the extra saliva produced during a meal with help to rinse the food from the mouth.

Kids should be using fluoridated toothpaste. Today there are products made to fit small hands like toothbrushes that are easy to grasp and are designed for smaller mouths. These products help encourage kids to brush. Young children only need a pea size amount of toothpaste.

Kids can have accidents and may suffer injuries to the mouth, which may result in broken, chipped or cracked teeth. The dentist should be contacted immediately. Children should be given a pain reliever if they are in pain while waiting for the dentist. If the tooth is completely out of the mouth, place it in milk or water and bring it along to the dentist. Do not wipe or clean it in any way.

Adults

Adults with busy lives, often forget to brush or floss. The bare minimum for brushing is twice a day. Busy adults should at least brush as part of their dressing routine and then before going to bed.

Contact sport participants need to remember to protect their teeth.