You have so many good reasons to keep your family’s teeth and gums healthy. Their sparkling smiles. Being able to chew for good nutrition. Avoiding toothaches and discomfort. And new research suggests that gum disease can lead to other problems in the body, including increased risk of heart disease.
Fortunately, there are simple ways to keep teeth strong and healthy from childhood to old age. Here’s how:
Start children early. Despite great strides in decay prevention, one in four young children develops signs of tooth decay before they start school. Half of all children between the ages of 12 and 15 have cavities. “Dental care should begin as soon as a child’s first tooth
appears, usually around six months,” Caryn Solie, RDH, president of the
American Dental Hygienists’ Association, tells WebMD. “Teeth can be
wiped with a clean, damp cloth or a very soft brush. At about age 2, you
can let kids try brushing for themselves -- although it’s important to
supervise.”
