Tooth Care

 The permanent dentition consists of 32 teeth. This is made up of 4 types of teeth, which include 4 incisors, 2 canines (or cuspids), 4 premolars (or bicuspids), 4 molars and 2 wisdom teeth (also called third molars) in each jaw. If wisdom teeth have been removed, there will be 28 teeth.

Incisors:

These are the middlemost 4 teeth which are present on the lower and upper jaws. Because of their shape they are used for holding, cutting and tearing the food. An incisor makes a chisel-shaped cutting edge because the biting section is wide and thin.

Canines:

The canines (or cuspids, meaning a tooth with a single point) are on either side of the incisors. They are used for holding and tearing food.

Premolars: 

Premolars (bicuspids) have a series of elevations (points or ‘cusps’) that are used for breaking up particles of food. Hence the name bicuspid. They are used for holding and crushing food.

Molars:

Molars are the flat teeth at the rear of the mouth. They also have a series of elevations like premolars.  They are used exclusively for crushing and grinding.

Wisdom teeth: 

Wisdom teeth are also called third molars. They erupt from the age of 18 onwards but are often surgically removed.

Children’s teeth

Children’s teeth are also called baby, milk or primary teeth. They are the first set of teeth we receive and will eventually fall out and be replaced with a second set of permanent teeth.

Kid's teeth are porous in nature and they can gain or lose beneficial minerals easliy. To prevent this make ensure they are receiving more minerals than they lose. 

This process is called remineralization. For this ...

Brush baby's teeth as soon as their teeth come.

Get children into a teeth-cleaning routine.

Straighten crooked teeth with braces.

Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums

1.  Brush your teeth twice a day

Brushing teeth helps to remove plaque; however, it does not aid nor inhibit remineralization.

 

     2. Floss between your teeth

Using floss can remove the food particles and thick greasy plaques which are not removed by brush. Sometimes people do use tooth picks but their pointed edges can harm the gums. So, floss is a better option.

3.  Cut down on sugar

Bacteria produce harmful acid on our teeth and sugar is the main food source. Also, it is causing many health problems including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. You can drastically reduce bacteria food by eliminating refined sugar from your diet. In turn, this will protect your teeth from the damaging acid that bacteria produce.

     4. Have regular dental check-ups

It is important to see the dentist every 6 months because that can help to keep your teeth and gums strong. Your dentist can detect disease early and can identify areas that may need improvement. Moreover, substances like tartar can be removed by dentist that brushing cannot remove alone.

5. Quit smoking

Smoking is a major cause of mouth cancer and gum diseases which eventually results in tooth decay. Smoking increases your risk for gum disease. The smoke contains chemicals which can degenerate the bone that holds a tooth to our jaw bone and it leads to the high risk of gum infection due to spaces which are created in this process.

 7. Clean your tongue

Keeping your tongue clean by brushing it well is a great way to reduce bacteria. Also, you may notice fresher breath and an overall cleaner feeling.

8. Stay hydrated

Drinking water helps to flush away food particles and bacteria from teeth and gums. It also helps to dilute harmful acid caused by bacterial activity in the mouth. If your mouth is dry, it can increase the risk of tooth decay. Drinking water helps to promote saliva production which washes teeth with essential minerals and keeps the teeth strong.

8. Eat a well-balanced diet

Our diet immensely effects out tooth health. So look for the mineral rich things in your diet.
Mineral rich foods include eggs, grass fed meats and poultry, dark leafy greens like broccoli, kale, spinach, mushrooms and cheese (especially soft cheeses).

Foods high in vitamins A, D, E, and K2 can improve the health of teeth. Vitamin D aids the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for tooth health and K2 ensures that calcium goes to our teeth and bones. But we should be careful about taking supplements with large number of fat-soluble vitamins as this can cause toxicity.

9. Use a toothpaste

Before you choose a toothpaste, it’s important to know about the

 different types of toothpastes. If you want to strengthens your teeth and

 prevent decay, dentists may recommend you a fluoride toothpaste.

There are also toothpastes designed to control tartar. Combatting that,

 tartar control toothpastes is what you need before it can harden.

Sometimes, people have teeth sensitivity issues, which is usually due to weakened enamel or an exposed root. Sometimes eating or drinking hot and cold foods can be painful. 

That’s where toothpaste for sensitive teeth are useful. The toothpaste offers relief for the pain.

Finally, there are whitening toothpastes. They have some whitening agent to make your teeth look whiter. The ingredients either fight stains or lighten the color of your teeth.

So be very observant while choosing a toothpaste.

 

Brushing with baking soda:

You can remove stains on the surface of teeth by gently polishing them with baking soda. Sometimes people worry that baking soda might be too harsh and may scratch away enamel, but research from 2017 found that it is safe to remove stains using baking soda.
Baking soda also prevents bacterial growth, which can reduce plaque and prevent tooth decay.
Note: If you have a specific condition or disease, please consult your dentist for toothpaste selection as the information given above may not be useful for everyone.