Caring for your teeth is a family affair! We all love to see family's happy and smiling. Not only does a great smile look great in pictures, but it also means that your family is healthy. The whole family should have a dental routine in place to keep a healthy smile at every age. In this post, we will share how you can help care for your family’s teeth at every age and stage. We will also review indicators that will help you identify when you need to come and see our expert dental team at Elements Dental.

Healthy Oral Care at Every Stage in Life



Infant/Toddler (0-3 years old)

New parents are always concerned about their new baby’s teeth. Between 4 to 12 months old, babies will start to develop teeth. However, parents do not need to wait until the first tooth is spotted to begin their child’s oral care routine. Even when a child has no teeth, using a warm, damp cloth to wipe the gums after feeding can help familiarize the child with oral care. Once the first teeth are spotted, parents can start with a beginner toothbrush. Brushing with infant safe toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush can help eliminate bacteria and decay.

At this stage, you should be on the lookout for:

• Teething/new teeth – ensure that teething is not causing your child an excessive amount of distress or pain. This can be managed with remedies like ice, over-the-counter medication, and teething toys. Ensure that teeth are coming in straight and in the right position.
• Tooth decay – avoid high consumption of sugary treats and drinks. Once they are of age, you can introduce toothpaste with fluoride into their oral care routine to eliminate bacteria and decay.
• Thumb sucking/Pacifier use – once the first teeth are spotted start to decrease the use of pacifiers and discourage thumb sucking. This also extends to bottles and sippy cups. Continued use can cause problems with the alignment of the teeth and their bite in the future.

When do they need to come into our dental office?

Infants and Toddlers typically do not come into our office until their first few teeth have sprouted. We recommend scheduling their first appointment about 6 months after their first tooth has sprouted. At their first visit at Elements Dental, we will take a look at their smile, discuss habits, and help you with an oral care plan for them.



Child (4-10 years old)

Children are typically in charge of their oral care routine. But, parents should always monitor their children as they are learning to care for their teeth. This will help you keep track and remind them of the steps in oral care. Children should be able to brush, floss, and use mouthwash on their own. The ideal oral care routine for a child includes brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing (especially between teeth that are touching, like between the molars), and using a mouthwash (ask our team which is best for your child based on their age). Setting up this routine early on is the best way parents can ensure a healthy smile in their child's life.

At this stage, you should be on the lookout for:

• Cavities – we have never met a child that didn’t love their sweets! Parents should always be on the lookout for decay and cavities. You can help prevent this by limiting sugar and brushing daily.
• Teeth safety – while children are learning new sports or skills, teeth safety should be a concern. If baby teeth are knocked out or cracked, schedule an appointment with us to make sure adult teeth have not been affected.
• Lost baby teeth/new adult teeth – as your child begins to lose their teeth, parents should look out to make sure that adult teeth are growing in properly.

When do they need to come into our dental office?

Children should come to see our hygienists and dentists regularly for cleanings and check-ups – typically every 4-6 months. Our team at Elements Dental is best at spotting warning signs for oral issues and can recommend the best course of action.



Preteen/Teen (11-18 years old)

At the teenage stage, a person is ultimately responsible for their oral care routine. This is why we recommend instilling the importance of proper oral care during the early years. Teenagers should continue to brush, floss, and use mouthwash twice daily. The teeth a teen has will last them the rest of their life! At this stage, orthodontic intervention is commonly considered and suggested by our dentists. It is the best time typically because all the adult teeth have grown in and wisdom teeth have been removed. Orthodontic care can include braces, Invisalign, dental surgery, and more. Check out our recent blog post HERE on orthodontic treatment.

At this stage, you should be on the lookout for:

• Misaligned teeth – the preteen/teen stage is the most common stage for a person to begin orthodontic care. Orthodontic treatment can resolve crowding, alignment, jaw pain, TMJ, cosmetic issues, and more. We can help you decide if your teen needs treatment, and which treatment is best.
• Wisdom teeth – the teen stage is also the most common stage for wisdom teeth removal. Wisdom teeth can cause a range of problems including pain, infection, crowding, or if they are impacted.

When do they need to come into our dental office?

Teens need to continue to come into our office regularly for checkups. This is how we help prevent serious dental issues. We will clean and polish teeth – as well as monitor growth, and potential decay with dental X-rays. At our regular check-ups, we track the growth of adult teeth and can determine whether orthodontic treatment or is wisdom teeth removal is needed.



Adult (19-64 years old)

Caring for your teeth as an adult focuses more on prevention and aesthetics. Having a proper oral hygiene routine in place is essential. At this stage, the brightness and whiteness of your smile are just as important as your overall health. Adults have already settled into their smiles and might experience minor issues like color, chips, or cracks. Many of these minor issues can be resolved with whitening treatments (in our office or at home), cosmetic bonding, or even veneers. Overall, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet can positively contribute to a healthy smile.

At this stage, you should be on the lookout for:

• Pregnancy – females should remember to continue their oral care routine during pregnancy. While pregnant, women are more susceptible to oral complications like gingivitis and swollen gums.
• Cracked, chipped, or damaged teeth – whether from an injury, accident, or even in your sleep, adults can damage their teeth with cracks, chips, or breaks. It can happen at any age! You will notice pain, sensitivity, swelling in the gums if one of your teeth is damaged.
• Gingivitis – red or swollen gums are an indicator of gingivitis. It can lead to periodontal issues and even tooth loss.
• Periodontal disease – an infection that is caused by poor oral hygiene. There is a build-up of bacteria on the teeth and gums. With this, teeth can become sensitive, fall out, gums can recede, and pose a problem to the root of the tooth.

When do they need to come into our dental office?

Adults should continue in their oral care habits and see our dentists every 4-6 months. Depending on your needs and sensitivities, we might recommend more frequent visits. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, then you should come into our office right away. Regular visits help us, help you keep your smile bright, and also monitor your dental health. Only trained dental professionals can diagnose serious dental issues like oral diseases, cancers, and more.



Senior (65+ years old)

Caring for your teeth as a senior is part of the lifelong pursuit. The same oral risks that have posed themselves throughout our life are still present in senior years. However, at this stage, it is as important as ever to monitor these oral issues as they can quickly develop into serious health problems. Continuing with the same oral hygiene routine will ensure healthy teeth for the rest of your life.

At this stage, you should be on the lookout for:

• Cracked or damaged teeth – damaged teeth are often a result of normal wear and tear over a lifetime. As you age, the ability to repair the natural tooth is limited (especially if it is a reoccurring problem).
• Loss of taste – certain medications might impact the sensitivity in your mouth or the ability to taste. This might pose a risk to your ability to eat or sense issues with your teeth. Please update our dental team of any medications you are taking and if they are causing side effects.
• Root damage – your gums recede naturally with age. Periodontal disease is very common among seniors since the gum tissue has receded and exposed the root. This makes you much more susceptible to periodontal diseases.
• Need for dentures/implants – once you have experienced one or more of the dental issues above, it might be time to consider dentures or dental implants. Our team can help evaluate your oral health and which treatment option is the best for you.

When do they need to come into our dental office?

You are never too old for dental care. You might need more help caring for your teeth as you get older. Typically, seniors experience dental issues like tooth loss and root damage. At this stage, the need for dental implants or dentures arises. Seniors should continue to see our dental team twice a year and notify us of any changes to their overall health.

Our team at Elements Dental want to help you and your family love your smiles. At your next appointment, ask us any questions you may have about your, or a family member’s smile. We can easily recommend a solution or if they need to come in to see us. Schedule an appointment with us today to help care for your smiles!