The Life Of Your Teeth | Lexington, KY

When your first tooth started to come in, it was a big event for your parents. (It was a big event for you, too, even if you don’t remember it.)
This changed everything. As more teeth came in, you were able to eat solid foods. Eventually your “baby teeth” fell out, and your adult teeth would came in. With proper care, these teeth could last the rest of your life.
Our team at Beaumont Family Dentistry in Lexington wants your mouth to stay healthy, and we want the same thing for the families of all our patients in Central Kentucky.
That’s why we offer a range of general dentistry services, and it’s why we encourage you to brush and floss every day and to visit one of our three offices for professional cleanings twice a year.
To help you understand why this is important, we will review the life of your teeth with some help from knowyourtteeth.com.
The early years
Before your first tooth comes in, your parents may use a wet washcloth to clean your gums. After your first tooth erupts, they should use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your tooth and, eventually, teeth.
At Beaumont Family Dentistry, we like to see patients around the time they turn 2 years old. This visit serves two purposes.
First, it gives the babies a chance to come to the dentist. This “happy visit” gives them a chance to see the different things in the dentist office and to meet some of the people who will be caring for their teeth for years to come.
Second, we will look at their developing teeth and examine their mouths to make sure everything is coming along well.
As more teeth come it, it will be important that parents continue brushing your teeth and bringing you to the dentist office for general cleanings.
Between the ages of 3 and 7, you will start brushing your own teeth under your parents supervision. Your parents will continue bringing you to one of the Beaumont Family Dentistry offices every six months for cleanings and exams. We may put sealants on your teeth to protect them from cavities during this time of your life.
After 7, you should be brushing (twice a day for two minutes each time) and flossing (every day) your teeth on your own.
By the time you are 13, there’s a good chance you will have lost your baby teeth, and your adult teeth will emerge.
Teenage years
These are some of the most important years in the life of your teeth. Your adult teeth are coming in, and you may need orthodontic care.
Again, routine cleanings and exams will help determine which of our many general dentistry services you may need.
If you need orthodontics, we offer a variety of treatment options, including traditional braces, Fastbraces^®, and Invisalign.
It’s particularly important to limit how many sugary drinks you have, and you need to continue your daily oral hygiene routine.
If you play sports, it’s important to wear an athletic mouthguard, like the custom-fitted ones we can make in our office. You should see this as part of your preventive care to protect your teeth and jaw.
Your wisdom teeth may come in at this time as well. Many people don’t have enough room for this final set of molars, which means tooth extraction may be necessary for the long-term health of your mouth.
Adulthood
As an adult, it’s essential that you continue visiting the dentist every six months. This allows us to monitor any changes in your teeth and to watch for signs of gum disease or oral cancer. Early detection can vastly improve your treatment.
By this time, we hope you have developed a daily routine of brushing twice a day and flossing once daily. This will help you avoid some of the services we offer in our general dentistry practice.
If you don’t care for your teeth, you may find that your need some restorative dentistry. Root canal treatments can repair teeth infected by decay. Dental implants, crowns, and bridges may replace your lost or damaged teeth.
On the other hand, your teeth may begin showing signs of staining or yellowing. You may have chipped a tooth in an accident along the way. Those might be reasons to consider coming our dentist offices for cosmetic services like professional teeth whitening or veneers.
As you get older, your risk for gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss increases. If you continue your regular appointments, we may be able to find ways to save the appearance of your smile and keep your bite force intact with our tooth replacement options.
Live a better life with healthy teeth
We know the kinds of problems that can affect your teeth throughout your life. We also want you to keep your natural teeth for as long as you can. Our general dentistry practice has been designed to help you at each stage of your life.
If you are already a patient, we look forward to seeing you and your teeth in the near future. Call the nearest office or use our online form to make your next appointment.
If you are a new patient looking for a dentist, please fill out this form so we’ll know to give you a tour when you come to see us.