SMILE PLEASE!!!
With healthy, good looking teeth you’ll feel much better.
 

Tooth Anatomy
 
Humans have two sets of teeth, the baby teeth (also called the primary teeth) and the permanent teeth. Children have 20 primary teeth; they are replaced by 32 permanent teeth by about age 13.
 

Tooth Glossary:
 
ü Cementum - a layer of tough, yellowish, bone-like tissue that covers the root of a tooth. It helps hold the tooth in the socket.
ü Crown - the visible part of a tooth.
ü Dentin - the hard but porous tissue located under both the enamel and cementum of the tooth.
ü Enamel - the tough, shiny, white outer surface of the tooth.
ü Gums - the soft tissue that surrounds the base of the teeth.
ü Nerves - nerves transmit signals (conveying messages like hot, cold, or pain) to and from the brain. Periodontal membrane/ligament - the fleshy tissue between tooth and the tooth socket; it holds the tooth in place.
ü Pulp - the soft center of the tooth. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves; it nourishes the dentin.
ü Root - the anchor of a tooth that extends into the jawbone. The number of roots ranges from one to three.
 

Dental Decay / Cavity
 
 ü There are bacteria in everyone’s mouth, and these develop into a thin, sticky layer called plaque, which sits on the surface of your teeth.
 ü When eat sugary foods, the bacteria convert the sugar to acid.
 ü As "sugary foods" (candy, sugar frosted breakfast cereals, ice cream, soda and etc.) and other carbohydrates are eaten, the PH drops.
   
ü At a PH of 5.2 to 5.5 or below, the acid begins attack the hard, outer layer of your teeth, causing tiny holes called cavities.
ü Every exposure to these foods allows an acid attack on the teeth for about twenty minutes!
ü As the cavity progresses, it invades the softer dentine directly beneath the enamel, and encroaches on the and encroaches on the nerve and blood supply of the tooth contained within the pulp.
 

Dental Decay / Cavity
 
ü Cavities attack the teeth in two main ways. The first is through the pits and fissures, which are grooves that are visible on the top biting surfaces of the back teeth.
ü The cavity starts from a small point of attack, and spreads widely to invade the underlying dentine.
ü The second route of acid attack is from a smooth surface, which is between, or on the front or back of teeth.

 

How will I know I have cavities?
 
the large majority of cavities are completely painless. This is because the outer enamel has no nerves.
 
Here is the Cavity Formation Signs and Symptoms Self-Test:
The following questions, if answered yes, may signify that you have or may be at risk of dental decay (cavities):
 
ü Do you have sensitivity to sudden temperature changes of foods or liquids (i.e., hot and cold)?
ü Do you often have an unpleasant, foul taste that includes bad breath?
ü Do you notice any discoloration or darkening in your teeth especially between your teeth, on the biting surfaces of your teeth or at the gum line of your teeth?
ü Do you notice some level of discomfort in a tooth or teeth during or after you eat sweets?
ü Do you have poor nutrition?
ü Do you have poor oral hygiene habits?
ü Do you eat junk foods and snack often?
 

Are Some People at More Risk To Develop Cavities?
 
ü People who have reduced saliva flow due to diseases such, dysfunction of their salivary glands, have undergone cancer chemotherapy or radiation, and who smoke are more likely to develop cavities.
ü Some people have naturally lower oral PH, which makes them more likely to have cavities.
ü Saliva is important in fighting cavities because it can rinse away plaque and food debris, and help neutralize acid.
 

How can I Prevent Cavities
 
If you don’t want to give your dentist lots of work then help remove the build-up of plaque by brushing your teeth and gums regularly, especially after meals.
 
Choosing and using a toothbrush:
 
ü You use a toothbrush with a head small enough to get to every part of your mouth;
ü Scrub gently, using a fluoride toothpaste, to remove plaque from all surfaces of your teeth- outside and inside – paying close attention to the biting surfaces and the areas near your gum.
ü Use the top half of your toothbrush to concentrate on your gums so if you want to hold on to your teeth, take it easy!
  Change your toothbrush as soon as the tufts become bent and worn.
 

How Do I Brush My teeth
 
ü Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
ü Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
ü Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
ü Use the "toe" of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
ü Brush your teeth at least during 3 minutes and after every meal.
ü Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
 

How To Avoid Tooth Decay
 
There are also other effective steps you can follow to help fight tooth decay:
 
 ü Dental Floss – a thread of nylon which you pull between your teeth to clean difficult to-reach areas.
 ü Disclosing Tablets – messy but fun, chew on one after you’ve brushed your teeth. They show up areas where plaque is still hiding out so you can go back in for another go!
 ü Sugar –free Chewing Gum – increases the amount of saliva in your mouth which helps prevent plaque acid causing cavities.
 ü Mouthwashes – keep your breath smelling fresh and help prevent plaque build-up.
 
Tips To Healthy Teeth
 
Brushing after meals is the best bet.
But if you can't brush, try these smile saving tips:
 
ü Avoid gooey foods and other foods that tend to get stuck to teeth. Here they create a feast for bacteria several hours after the meal is eaten.
ü Consider drinking sodas and fruit juices with a straw. By using a straw, the drink comes into less contact with teeth.
ü Consider using a clean paper towel to manually wipe your teeth. This removes plaque bacteria and left over food particles.
ü Drink plenty of water after meals. Water helps wash away food particles that bacteria feast upon. Water also helps wash away soda and fruit juices which contain acids that can attack tooth enamel.
ü Chew sugarless gum. The chewing actually stimulates saliva, our natural mouthwash.
 

GUM DISEASES
 
You may have heard the adage "To keep your teeth, take care of your gums." That's good advice.
 
ü Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.
ü The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.
ü Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.
 

Causes of Periodontal Diseases
 

The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. However, factors like the following also affect the health of your gums.
 
ü Smoking/Tobacco Use
ü Pregnancy and Puberty
ü Stress
ü Medications
ü Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth
ü Diabetes
ü Poor nutritian
ü Genetics
ü Other Diseases
 

Symptoms of Gum Dieses
 

GINGIVITIS:
 
ü Gums reddness.
ü Gums swell and bleeding.
ü Discomfort.
 

Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis.
 
ü Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected.
ü As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed.
ü Teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.
 

How To Prevent Gum Diseases
 
Here's how to keep your teeth and gums healthy:
 
Eat a balanced diet.
 
Choose a variety of foods from the basic food groups, such as breads, cereals and other grain products; fruits; vegetables; meat, poultry and fish; and dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt. Limit between-meal snacks.
 
Follow tips of teeth hygiene.
Visit your dentist regularly 2 times per year.
 
REMEMBER:
Poor tooth care = More cavities = more visits to dentist.
 

What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
 

Baby bottle tooth decay is a dental condition that can destroy the teeth of an infant or young child. The upper front teeth are the most susceptible to damage, but other teeth also may be affected.
 

What Causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
 
Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child's teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas, and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these liquids pool around the infant's teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria that cause plaque. Every time your child consumes a sugary liquid, acid attacks his/her teeth. After numerous attacks, tooth decay can occur, resulting in baby bottle tooth decay.
 

How serious is baby bottle tooth decay?
 
Baby bottle tooth decay can cause:
 
ü painful toothaches which can hinder eating.
ü Severely decayed teeth can become infected and need to be extracted.
 
If your child's teeth are infected or lost too early due to baby bottle tooth decay, your child may have some of these problems:
 
ü Poor eating habits
ü Speech problems
ü Crooked teeth
ü Damaged adult (permanent) teeth
ü Yellow or brown adult (permanent) teeth
 

How to prevent baby bottle tooth decay
 
ü After each feeding wipe the child's teeth and gums with a damp washcloth or small soft toothbrush to remove plaque.
ü Begin brushing your child's teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts. Flossing should being when all primary teeth have erupted, usually by age 2 or 2 1/2.
ü Never allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle containing a sweetened liquid.
ü If your child refuses to fall asleep without a bottle, simply fill it with water and nothing else.
ü If your local water supply does not contain enough decay-fighting fluoride, check with your dentist to see if your child should receive fluoride supplements.
ü Start dental visits between six and twelve months of age.
 

Keep your child
happy and smiling


Back