The Life & Times of Your Teeth
Check out where you and your family are in the following categories.

	0-2 Years Baby teeth arrive at around six to eight months. Get baby used to the toothbrush. Do not permit your child to fall asleep with her bottle in her mouth.
	2-5 Years Full set of baby teeth arrives. First dental visit no later than third birthday. Try to correct thumbsucking and blanket sucking habits.
	5-9 Years Permanent teeth arrive. First-stage orthodontics may be necessary. Regular visits to our office should continue.
	9-19 Years Adolescence! The muscles in your teen's mouth and jaw grow quickly to manage the work of 32 adult teeth throughout a lifetime. Orthodontic work may need to be completed. Cavity prevention and dental hygiene habits are a high priority, partly because this is likely to be the first time your child is away from home for more than a few days.
	20-30 Years Wisdom teeth, potential dental trouble-makers, make their presence felt and many end up being removed. Gingivitis (gum disease) may begin although you may not even know it. We can diagnose it and treat it easily in the early stages.
	30-40 Years Gingivitis often progresses to its advanced form, periodontitis, which affects the underlying bone and eventually leads to tooth loss. Early diagnosis and treatment at our office is essential.
	40-50 Years Restorations should be regularly checked and replaced if necessary. If your dental care and home care has not been ideal throughout your life, you may lose a tooth to periodontal diesease, and root canal therapy may be needed to save adjacent teeth. Continuing attention to gum disease and increased dental hygiene is a must.
	50-60 Years Crowns and bridges may be necessary to preserve your remaining teeth (and your smile!) for your senior years.
	60+ Years Most people over the age of sixty end up with some form of tooth root decay. Gum disease remains the number-one dental enemy. Researchers have discovered links between periodontal disease and heart disease and strokes. Regular dental care and oral checkups are just as important if you have dentures. But there is no reason that, with the combination of good home dental care and regular visits to our office, you can't keep your teeth for life.