Your Dental health is an essential part of your general health. Neglect of your teeth is most likely to reflect on your general well being. So take good care of your teeth and they will take care of you.

TYPE OF TEETH - There are two types of dentition. In the early years, a child has 20 milk teeth ­ 8 incisors, 4 canines and 8 molars. Children loose their milk teeth between the age of 6 & 11 and their permanent teeth appear as their primary teeth are shed.

An adult has 32 permanent-teeth: 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars and 12 molars. The last 4 molars are commonly known as wisdom teeth as they appear much later during the teens or even adult years.

How Teeth Decay?

Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film of bacteria or germs that is constantly forming on your teeth and gums. If it is not brushed off, after you eat, it combines with sugars present in food particles to produce acids which attack and harm your teeth. Plaque is the real villain behind both tooth decay and gum disease.

How Gum Disease starts?

Gum disease, technically known as periodontal disease, is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. Healthy gums closely grip the sides of the teeth anchoring them firmly in place with the help of bone.

Unremoved plaque produces acids and bacterial irritant. It also hardens into calculus commonly called tartar which presses around the gum line. As the gum become inflamed it may bleed. This condition is known as Gingivitis.

If untreated, the infection spreads, to the bone supporting the tooth. Pus is formed. The bone begins to erode and eventually, the tooth may be lost. The condition is called Periodontitisor Pyorrhea.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE

Tooth enamel cannot be replaced by your body - so you must protect it. Regular brushing after ever meal, or at least every morning and night, will help to keep your teeth free of plaque and prevent tartar formation.

One can use Dental Floss, a piece of braidednyion cord. !t is wrapped round the middle finger and then gently eases between the teeth. Plaque and food particle are removed by scrapping the floss between the teeth.

Finally massage your gum with your finger after brushing and gently, brush your tongue too.

Don't use metal tongue cleaners.

THE FIVE GOLDEN RULES FOR HEALTHY TEETH

RULE NO.1: Eat foods those have vitamins and minerals and fibrous fruits like Apple, Carrot, Reddish, Green vegetables, Eggs, Milk, Cheese.

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