Dentist, the very thought scares us. But no matter how much we dread the dentist we know that we have to go. Going to the dentist is like a vicious circle. If you go there it is a problem and if you don’t then there is a bigger problem.
Our first set of teeth starts to develop at about six months of age know as teething and are known as milk or primary teeth, although some babies may be born with one or more teeth. The teeth are not made up of bone. The top teeth are used for biting where as the bottom teeth are used for grinding. We have about 20 primary teeth out of which 10 are found on the top and the rest at the bottom and 32 permanent teeth. There are three types of teeth incisors, canines and molar. All primary teeth are replaced by permanent teeth except for molar; they are replaced by permanent premolars.
Enamel is the hardest substance of the body and consists of 96% minerals and the rest is water and other organic materials. Enamel is semi-translucent so it reflects the color of dentin which is present below the enamel and provides a support and protection to the crown of the tooth. Dentin acts like a dental pulp, it consists of 70% inorganic material, 20% organic materials and 10% water. Because it is soft and pulp like it is more likely to decay if not taken care of. It is mostly yellow or grayish white in color. It is thickest at the cusp and thinnest at the bottom of the teeth. The primary mineral that the enamel is consisted of is crystalline calcium phosphate. This high content of mineral not only helps it to be hard but also brittle.
Plaque
Plaque is a colony of bacteria’s present in large quantity. It is very important to maintain a dental hygiene, because if it is not cleaned it can lead to cavities and gum inflammation. If tiny portion of food particles remain the plaque can be formed immediately even if it is a microscopic deposit. The bacteria’s accumulate between the teeth and gums and causes gum infection and inflammation and this can over a period of time lead to loosing of the teeth due to the loss of bone around the teeth.
Some bacteria’s are formed due to the deposition of sugar and starch. They produce lactic acid in the absence of oxygen which leads to tooth destruction by the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the tooth enamel. The bacteria’s produce acids on acting with sugar or starch particles and these acids affect the enamel of the teeth and lead to cavities. Our saliva can help neutralize the acids that absorb the minerals and maintain the pH level. Thus you must give some gap between meals, this will allow the teeth to repair them self.
Cavities
Cavities are infection caused due to acid producing bacteria’s. These bacteria live on carbohydrates such as sucrose, fructose and glucose. Cavities can cause pain, tooth loss, infection and in the most severe condition may be death. Caries are the most common chronic childhood disease in United States. The best method to avoid cavities and dental carries is to have a regular oral hygiene, dental check ups, dental plan and change in the diet as per your dental condition. About 20% of the population on US and Europe suffer from dental Caries or tooth cavities.
Dental Care
Dental care is a very important part of dental hygiene. Oral hygiene helps preventing dental caries, gum infection, bad breath and other dental and gum infections. Dental hygiene can be maintained by personal and professional care. Some food deposits are so minute that it can not be removed even by brushing or flossing, you need dental help for that. Dentists help remove bacterial plaque, food particles by regular cleaning, tooth scaling etc.
Brushing twice a day or even after every meal helps remove the bacteria’s and deposits from the teeth. But the particles that remain between the gum and the teeth can only be removed by flossing. Electrical brushes are in no way more effective than manual brushing. The only purpose of the electrical tooth brush is for those who can not brush on their own. A manual brushing method is much more effective.
Another method of protecting your teeth is fluoride therapy. Water fluoridation and fluoride supplements help against dental carries and decay. Fluoride helps enamel from loosing its minerals. Fluoride can be used everyday if suggested by you dentist as a fluoride toothpaste or fluoride mouth wash.
