Age-specific & Lifecycle Dental Care (Beyond Pregnancy)

To help you to understand the role of age specific care in dentistry, we’ve put together this short guide that examines the different requirements at every stage of life. At the cusp of a new stage, it’s essential for patients (or their guardians) to be aware of what lies ahead.

Infancy (0-2 years)

As soon as a child’s first tooth emerges, they should be visiting the dentist every 6 months. Early intervention will help to ensure that issues with teething are addressed quickly. It’s also a great way to ensure that children don’t grow up with a fear of the dentist. By visiting regularly from a young age, children will be much more relaxed in a dental setting.

Childhood (3-12 years)

It’s not long after all of the milk teeth appear that they will start to fall out and be replaced by adult teeth. This is a really important time in a child’s life, as it is often when they will learn good oral care habits for life. Through regular contact with their dentist, they can learn how to take good care of their teeth, and why this is important.

Teens (13-17)

Once children hit their teens, it might be time to start thinking about braces. They’ll also be making more of their own food and drink choices independent of their parents, so it’s vital that they have a good education that helps them to make the right choices.

Understanding why sugar is so bad for their teeth can help them to make better choices. This is also the time when a dentist will start monitoring their teeth for alignment issues, and braces could be recommended in some cases.

Adulthood (18-55)

Once you reach adulthood, you’ll be on your own with your oral care. Adults will be responsible for making their own dental appointments, and there will be no one to make them attend. It’s common for patients to skip appointments as they get older, as they assume that they only need to visit if there is something wrong.

At the very least, adults should try to visit the dentist every 2 years, as this will help to identify dental problems before they become more damaging. Adults might also want to explore cosmetic and restorative treatments to help improve their smiles and their confidence.

Seniors (56+)

Oral care concerns change a lot as we get older. Gum disease and tooth loss is more common, and changes to the gum tissue can lead to pockets in the gum line that can provide the ideal hiding space for food debris and bacteria. It’s also more likely that patients over 56 will be taking medications that could impact their oral health.

Seniors will have very different oral health requirements, often requiring more frequent dental hygienist cleanings and more extensive restorations. It’s often a time to explore cosmetic treatments such as dental implants or veneers.

How can your dentist help?

At every stage of life, it is beneficial to have a good relationship with your dentist. By sticking with the same dentist for long stretches of time, they will be able to build up a more complete picture of your oral health and how it is changing. This can help with diagnosing issues and spotting problems before they arise.

A good relationship with your dentist will also ensure that you do not develop an irrational phobia of dental settings. Fear of the dentist is very common and can lead individuals to avoid essential checkups.

Final thoughts

Being aware of the changing requirements for your oral health as you get older can help you to take better care of your teeth. For young people, it’s essential that parents are aware of their changing needs and the importance of regular dental checkups.

By committing to visiting the dentist regularly throughout your life, you can safeguard against common issues, which can reduce the need for more extensive (and expensive) treatment at every stage of your life.