Your mouth changes with you. And sometimes your gums have rather strong opinions about it. 😄
From the first teeth to menopause, every stage of life brings changes. Hormones, age, diet, medication and lifestyle can all affect your teeth and gums.
Have your gums always been calm and healthy, but now they look redder, feel more sensitive or bleed? Do not panic. Your mouth may simply need a little extra attention right now.
👶 Childhood: this is where the foundation begins
The first teeth are small, but deserve plenty of attention.
Good oral care from the start helps prevent tooth decay and gum problems.
Teach children to brush well step by step. A parent or carer should continue to brush again afterwards until around the age of 10 to 12.
Important
- 🪥 Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- 👨👩👧 Help or brush again for as long as needed.
- 🍎 Limit eating and drinking occasions involving sugar and acids.
- 😊 Make visits to the dentist and dental hygienist feel normal and relaxed.
🧑🎓 Puberty: hello, hormones!
A great deal changes during puberty. Your gums can also react more strongly to plaque, becoming red, swollen or prone to bleeding.
Oral care can also simply slip off the agenda for a while.
Pay extra attention to
- brushing twice a day;
- cleaning between the teeth every day;
- taking bleeding gums seriously;
- limiting soft drinks and energy drinks.
🤰 Pregnancy: your gums join in
Hormone levels change considerably during pregnancy. As a result, gums often react more strongly to plaque and bleeding or swollen gums are common.
Good oral care is especially important at this time.
Tips
- 🪥 Brush twice a day.
- 🧵 Clean between the teeth every day.
- 🩸 Have bleeding gums checked.
- 🤢 After vomiting, rinse with water and wait about 30 minutes before brushing.
🌸 Adult life: busy, busy, busy
Work, family, exercise and social commitments. Somewhere in between, those teeth still need cleaning.
Fortunately, good oral care does not have to be complicated. The basics remain brushing twice a day and cleaning between the teeth every day.
If your gums change, also consider stress, medication, diet, smoking and hormonal changes.
🌺 Menopause: hello again, hormones
Hormones change again during menopause.
What can you do?
- a dry mouth;
- more sensitive gums;
- bleeding gums;
- a burning sensation;
- changes in taste.
Care during menopause
A fluoride mouthwash may be recommended when appropriate.
- brush carefully;
- clean between the teeth every day;
- drink enough water;
- use sugar-free gum if helpful;
- discuss symptoms with your dental hygienist.
👵 Growing older: different points of attention
Growing older does not automatically mean losing your teeth. With good care, you can often keep your natural teeth for life.
The mouth does change. Missing teeth can also create new areas that are hard to reach.
Ask for advice on aids that suit your situation.
- dry mouth;
- receding gums;
- sensitive tooth necks;
- wear;
- crowns;
- bridges;
- implants;
- dentures.
❤️ Every stage sometimes needs a different approach
A healthy mouth is not a trick you perform in exactly the same way throughout your life.
Your body changes. Your mouth changes with it.
Noticing bleeding gums, sensitivity or a dry mouth? Do not keep wondering. A small adjustment is often enough; sometimes extra advice or treatment is sensible.
Fortunately, you do not have to work it out alone.
Want to talk it through?
I am here to help.
Not sure what suits your mouth best? Ask Mariska AI first or leave a message for Claudia.