Care for baby's gums even before first teeth appear

Dental care goes hand in hand with overall health care. Brush your teeth at least two times a day. Floss daily. Drink plenty of water. Below is dental care information for stages of life.

Dental health during pregnancy

Even if you are not 100% sure you are pregnant, tell your dental team. Many women experience no change in dental issues, some develop pregnancy gingivitis, which causes swollen, tender gums that my bleed when brushing or flossing. Higher hormonal levels affect the way your gums react to plaque. Cavity risks can rise during pregnancy. Your change in eating habits may fuel bacteria. Morning sickness can increase the level of acids in your month. Your dentist can recommend ways to treat the symptoms.

Your baby’s teeth are forming between the third and sixth month of your pregnancy. Your diet affects your baby’s developing teeth. Newborns have all 20 primary teeth underneath their gums.

Babies and kids

Start a healthy routine by wiping down babies’ gums with a damp cloth after feeding. Around 6 months of age, the first teeth break through the gums. The “baby teeth” or primary teeth usually come in by age 3. Talk to your health care team about how to relieve teething pain.

Dental care of the primary teeth sets the stage for adult teeth to come in. Tooth lost to cavities can affect the health of permanent teeth. When baby teeth appear, gently brush them with a small, soft brush using a grain of rice amount of fluoride toothpaste. Once there are two teeth that touch, begin using dental floss.

Teach your child — age 3 to 6 — how to brush and floss. Use a song to keep them brushing for at least 2 minutes morning and evenings.

Teens

Dental health issues to discuss with your teen and dentist:

• Teeth grinding
• Jaw pain
• Braces
• Wisdom teeth usually come in between 17 and 21 years of age
• How smoking and tobacco can affect oral health
• Mouth piercings can be harmful to your teeth and mouth
• Many sports drinks are high in sugar and have high levels of dietary acid that attacks tooth enamel.
• Active in sports? Consider a mouth guard.

Adults

Adults may face recession of gums and gum disease. Exposure of tooth roots make them susceptible to decay and more sensitive to hot and cold.

Desire for whiter, brighter teeth: Consider why your teeth changed colors. Coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco use affects the color of your teeth. With age the outer enamel layer thins, and the inner yellowish layer shows through. Medications can also affect the color of teeth. There are options for teeth whitening. Discuss with your dentist what the best option is for you.

The average adult, 20 to 64 years old, has three or more decayed or missing teeth. Even if it is not noticeable it can affect how you speak and eat. Consider bridges, dentures, or implants.

Oropharyngeal cancer can affect the lips, gums, check lining, tongue, jaw, palate, or throat. Dental visits include an examination for signs of this type of cancer.

Choose a dentist

Is the office easy to use, easy to get to? Does it have hours that work for you, good communications including a translator or interpreter if needed?

Find: Member of the American Dental Association, NM Dental Association

Use: Referral from friend or family

Paying for dental care

According to the NM Dental Association website: Most dollars spent on dental care still come from individuals, families, and their employers through benefits plans. One in two New Mexicans receive their only health care through Medicaid. NM Medicaid offers services for children and adults. Adult services are limited by regulations. Not all dental offices participate in Medicaid.

Other tips to find free or low-cost dental care

Ask your dentist if they have membership saving plans. They may give back to the community by offering care. Each practice makes independent decisions on plans and what they offer.

Health Insurance Marketplace through the Affordable Care Act. Marketplace plans may offer benefits for children 18 and under. Plans are not required to offer benefits to adults. www.mouthhealthy.org/dental-care-concerns/aca-dental-plans

Federally Qualified Health Centers, most are in rural NM. Search tool https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/

The New Mexico Dental Association’s charitable arm, the New Mexico Dental Association Foundation, has several programs and resources regarding charitable and low-cost dentistry, including the New Mexico Mission of Mercy and Donated Dental Services. Visit the website to find opportunities for care. Phone 505-298-7206.

https://nmdentalassociationfoundation.org/home.aspx

If you have dental services and want to help others, you can give time or money through the Foundation. Shelters have on their donation lists toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Remember libraries and community centers have computers free for your use.

Sources: www.mouthhealthy.org/ NM Dental Association: www.nmdental.org