Dental Problems through Ages – Solutions That Are Near You

No matter how much we continue to ignore our teeth, they don’t stop working for us day in and day out. The reason you can enjoy your favorite food items and munch on chocolates is because your teeth allow it. Teeth play a very important role in a person’s life and if they demand a little care, they are not asking for much. A person’s dental condition undergoes several changes through his life – from childhood to old age. In every stage, the teeth hold different significance. In this short write-up, we will discuss how our dental health changes through different ages.  

Toddlers/ Young Children (Between the Age of 2 and 5)

Our dental journey begins with primary teeth or baby teeth. These are the set of teeth that remain intact until about the age of 6. Till then these baby teeth aid in all the important functions such as chewing and speaking. However, numerous dental problems are seen in young children or toddlers. These problems can range from tooth decay, thumb sucking, lip sucking, tongue thrusting and even early tooth loss.Research has found that 40% American toddlers have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten. The best way to keep the baby teeth is good condition is reducing a child’s habit of thumb sucking, lip sucking etc. Routine dental check-up is also very important for the child. 

Children and Young Adults (Between the Age 6 and 19)

This is the time when most dental problems become visible. The common reason why children and young adults fall victim to dental problems is their eating habits. Over-indulgence in carbonated drinks, ice creams, junk food increases dental problems. It is not surprising that 78% American children have at least one cavity by the time they are 17. However, what is surprising is the negligence, especially on the part of the parents. 16% children between the age group 6 and 19 have untreated cavities. Change in eating habits, such as, increasing the intake of celery, carrot and apples helps keep the teeth clean. Regular visits to the dentist are also important. 

Adults (Between The Age 20 and 64)

Most of us feel concerned about the way we look during the early 20s. Even during the next few decades of life, we continue to evaluate our dental structure critically. This is the age when not only the dental health concerns us but also how our smile looks, the way the teeth are positioned and the changes they bring to our facial features all begin to matter. 74% adults feel that an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s career prospects. It is during this period of life that we should restrict consuming dark foods and drinks such as red wine, black tea, coffee etc. Cigarettes can also leave unwelcome marks and should thus be avoided. 

Seniors (Above the Age of 65)

As we begin to age and reach the twilight years of life, our teeth undergoes considerable change. The changes are often so great that very few seniors can be proud of their unaffected teeth. Statistics validate this point quite clearly too. 33% seniors have untreated tooth decay. Diabetes, heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease tend to worsen the condition of the teeth. Fortunately there are several solutions to overcome dental problems at this age. Professionally cleaning the teeth twice a year, brushing twice daily, flossing once and using anti-bacterial mouthwash regularly can minimize risks. Fish oil also helps in reducing the risk of gum diseases by at least 30%.