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Keep teeth and gums healthy |
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What would you do without your teeth? It'd be hard to show off a dazzling smile or eat an ear of corn. But with a little care and dental oversight, you'll never have
to find out! It's hard to imagine that at one point in life, you managed just fine without teeth. But then, you were just a newborn. Nobody worried that your smile was toothless. Now, as an adult, you've got years invested in your pearly whites. They're critical components of your good health - and looks. They're also some of the strongest parts of your body. So how can you keep them in top form? Begin by learning a little bit about your teeth and gums. From baby to big teeth Baby - or so-called deciduous - teeth usually first appear at about 6 months. By age 3, children typically have all 20 of them; by age 6, permanent (secondary) teeth are pushing them out of the way. It takes a long time for all 32 permanent teeth to develop. In fact, the last of them - wisdom teeth (third molars) - typically don't come in until the teen years. Sometimes the permanent teeth don't develop quite according to plan. Children may need braces if some permanent teeth are too crowded or crooked. And the wisdom teeth may be crooked, may only partly erupt through the gum or may not break through at all. In these situations, a dentist or oral surgeon may need to remove the wisdom teeth. Anatomy of a tooth Your mouth has four types of teeth: incisors and canines in the front, and premolars (also called bicuspids) and molars in the back. The first and second are used for biting and tearing food into smaller pieces, the third and fourth for further grinding food. All of your teeth have essentially the same structure. The outside layer, or enamel, is what you see in the mirror. Probably the toughest substance in your body, this surface covers the crown, or part of the tooth above the gum. Below are the roots, which provide anchoring in the jawbones. If you could see inside the enamel, you'd find a thick layer of dentine surrounding the pulp, the innermost layer, which contains nerves and blood vessels. |
How decay happens Everyone's teeth are prone to cavities. Bacteria in the mouth break down carbohydrates and sugars, producing acid, which can erode tooth layers. You won't feel anything as the cavity eats through the enamel or dentine. But once it gets to the pulp - watch out. You'll know the pain! If caught early, a cavity can be easily fixed with a filling. Left untreated, however, it can get bigger, with germs working their way into the pulp. If it causes further damage, you may need a root canal or tooth extraction. Gums need attention Your gums provide a foundation for your teeth. If they're not healthy, your pearly whites can become loose and even fall out. Plaque, a mixture of bacteria, food particles and mucus, adheres to the area where the teeth meet the gums, making it a major culprit in causing periodontal (gum) disease. This scenario starts with gingivitis, a mild inflammation that can result in bleeding and receding gums. Good oral hygiene (including daily flossing) and a thorough dental cleaning can usually take care of this problem. Flossing between teeth removes stuck food particles and disturbs bacteria, reducing plaque and gum problems. If left untreated, however, gingivitis will turn into periodontitis. The gums pull away even further from the teeth, leaving pockets of empty space that become infected. This leads to a breakdown of connective tissue and bone. Dental surgery is eventually required. Gum disease usually isn't painful. But be aware of other symptoms. You have a potential problem if your gums are swollen, your breath is bad, and your teeth are either loose or sensitive. Make an appointment with your dentist. He or she may refer you to a periodontist, a specialist in treating these diseases. Also be aware that genetic predisposition as well as certain diseases (cancer and AIDS), along with smoking, can increase your risk. Sue Wallace, R.N., is a health and medical writer in Santa Rosa, Calif.
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