During February’s Children’s Dental Health Month, it’s an opportune time to talk about dental health habits that can help improve the oral health of kids and people of all ages. 

Maintaining and improving your oral health – starting at birth all the way through our golden years – is crucial. In fact, research shows oral health may contribute to various diseases and conditions, including pneumonia, heart disease and pregnancy and birth complications.  

Dr. Paul McConnell, dental director for UnitedHealthcare, would like to share the tips below:  

Babies and toddlers. While some parents may assume that cavities in baby teeth aren’t a concern because they aren’t permanent, dental decay in baby teeth may negatively affect permanent teeth and lead to other issues, like pain, infection and issues with speaking. To help prevent that, it’s important to:

o   Clean your baby’s gums with water and a soft cloth from birth to 1 year. 

o   Once teeth start to emerge, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small dab of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice), to brush twice a day.

o   For children four and older, help your child floss and continue brushing their teeth twice a day, increasing to a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, until you’re comfortable with them brushing on their own. 

Teenagers and adults. We all know to brush during the morning and at night and to floss daily, but there are a few other strategies for people to keep in mind. 

o   Make sure to brush for a full two minutes, using short, gentle strokes and keeping the head at a 45-degree angle to the gums. These proper techniques are important both to help prevent cavities and to support gum health. 

o   If you are still using a manual toothbrush, consider upgrading to an electric one. These can offer several advantages, with some synching to an app to provide personalized feedback, such as brushing duration, intensity and tooth/gum coverage. 

o   Take note of the bristles on your toothbrush. Once those begin to fray, usually every three to four months, it’s time for a new one. 

Older people. As people age, it is important to avoid developing periodontal disease, which causes inflammation of the gums, and if left untreated, can make it painful to chew, eventually lead to tooth lose, and may contribute to an array of other health conditions. 

o   Nearly half of adults 30 and older have some form of gum disease, and this increases to 70% of people 65 years and over. 

o   Daily flossing is key, and people can also use a water flosser, which shoots a stream of water between the teeth and can help reduce bacteria below the gum line. 

o   It’s important to avoid tobacco, as smokers are at twice the risk of gum disease as non-smokers, and limit alcohol use, which has been linked to an increased incidence of oral health issues.