Dental


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Family Dental Health Decay (a cavity) is a bacterial disease. It is the most common preventable disease in Utah. Nationally, children as young as one year of age experience dental decay and one-half of children ages 6 to 8 also suffer. During the 1999-2000 school year in Salt Lake County, 43% of children screened had untreated decay. If untreated, it can lead to health problems and death in extreme cases. This web-site provides tips on how to prevent such dental problems in the family.
	Dental Basics Brush at least 2 times a day Floss every day Use fluoride toothpaste See your dentist for regular check-ups Eat less sugary foods that stick to teeth
	Baby's Teeth Start baby on fluoride prescription at 6 months old Wipe baby's mouth out with a moist cloth every day Take baby to the dentist before 1st birthday Any liquid other than water can cause baby bottle decay Never put baby to bed with a bottle
	Children Parents need to brush and floss their children's teeth for them Children should be taking fluoride as prescribed by dentist Use only a pea-size amount of toothpaste with children Make a dental appointment to have sealants placed on back teeth
	Adults See your dentist every 6 months Have a head, neck and oral cancer screening Be examined for gum disease Use a soft toothbrush/ avoid brushing too hard Some medical conditions in adults can be linked to bacteria in the mouth
	Seniors Many medications cause a dry mouth which can lead to decay Gum disease is more common in older people Denture wearers should still see the dentist regularly and should remove dentures nightly Fluoride treatments at the dental office are especially important for exposed roots in older people Always bring a list of medications to your dental appointments For more information on any of the topics above, see your local dental office or clinic.

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