Over the next couple weeks, we’re going to trace a timeline for your lifelong, healthy smile! And to help make it useful and actionable for you, we’re breaking the content into four age categories. This also gives us a chance to share some “age-specific” concerns and tips.

Even if you don’t fall into the age range of today’s blog post, you certainly know and/or care for someone who does. Pass this great oral health timeline along by sharing this post with your extended family members, neighbors, friends, and coworkers. They’ll surely thank you.

The first age group we want to address is 1–20 year olds, which includes both children and teens. To help you prioritize, we’ve divided the information into must-do’s, should-do’s and could-do’s.

Must Do's, Ages 1-20:

• Establish a dental home for children early, and stick to regular checkups every six months. When children are comfortable with their dental team, it sets a pattern for a lifetime of great oral health.
• Set up an at-home oral hygeine routine. Remember, everyone should brush for at least 2 minutes, twice per day and be sure to floss daily.
• ALL CHILD ATHLETES should wear a mouthguard during sports! Skaters, wrestlers, ballers, etc. That means you!

Should Do's, Ages 1-20:

• Orthodontic evaluations should happen at about age 7 in case there's a need for early intervention treatment.
• Dental sealants can provide a shield against tooth decay that will last throughout childhood.
• Healthy-teeth eating habits start now! That means minimal sugar, soda, and snacking while being sure to eat lots of vegetables.

Could Do's, Ages 1-20:

• Exciting characters, colors, and flavors on toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss can make routine oral care more fun for kids.
• For teens, increasingly conscious of their appearance, teeth whitening and orthodontic treatments can be a great boost for self esteem.

Use These Ideas As A Launchpad...

The must do's, should do's, and could do's above are by no means a comprehensive list of every dental factor to consider between the ages of 1 and 20! But we do hope it gives you some good reminders and a starting point for building your own oral health goals.

Remember to watch for our future posts about each age group!

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At BLUSH Dental Studio — the dental practice of East Point dentist Dr. Kisha Carter, we believe that having a healthy and beautiful smile helps you live a better life. As a result, we offer you and your family a unique dental experience by providing modern, compassionate and affordable comprehensive dental care. Contact us today or request a convenient appointment online. We look forward to welcoming you to BLUSH Dental Studio and helping you achieve your optimal smile and oral health.