A tooth is made up of 3 layers. The outer layer is called the enamel. The layer underneath the enamel is known as dentine and the core of the tooth is made up of softer material called pulp. In the pulp reside the nerves. If the teeth are not properly brushed twice a day and rinsed with water every time you eat something, the food particles accumulate in the oral cavity particularly in between the teeth and oral bacteria converts this into acids. This acid is called lactic acid, this dissolves the enamel and gets into the next layer which is dentine and forms a lesion or white spots; if left unattended this gives rise to a cavity in the tooth. At this stage, the nerve endings in the pulp get exposed leading to a severe toothache; when the decay reaches the root part of the tooth; the tooth decays and falls off. To avoid tooth problems, you should brush your teeth at least twice daily in up and down strokes rather then from side to side, this removes plaque more effectively.

Massage the gums with your fingers after brushing, as this increases the blood supply and hence nutrition to the gums.

Don't forget to clean your tongue with a tongue cleaner; this is as important as cleaning your teeth.

Rinse your mouth thoroughly after eating anything to reduce the accumulation of food residues in the mouth.

Always use a tooth brush with M shaped bristles as this cleans the teeth more effectively than ordinary tooth brushes with flat bristles. Do not use hard tooth brushes as these will damage the gums.

Tooth pastes containing tobacco are not only addictive but also affect the oral mucosa leading to general health problems. Avoid the use of hard objects like pins, in the oral cavity. Calcium and phosphorus are. two major constituents of the teeth and are necessary for hardening of teeth during the formative years. Therefore, a child's diet should comprise of ample amount of these two minerals. Milk is a good source of both these minerals. Eating cheese regularly lowers the acidity of the mouth thus preventing acid attack on the tooth enamel.

Diet plays an important role in preventing tooth decay. The gums need fricition to keep it firm, raw foods therefore should be eaten, because they not only keep the gums healthy and firm but also helps in removing plaque. Therefore, they are called "Detergent Foods". Millet and sesame seeds are also very good because they are a rich source of calcium. Regular consumption of hard fruits like apples,

peaches and apricots also help because they have the same effect as of a tooth brush on the teeth. Frequent snacking and eating of sweets is very harmful because they produce an acid medium in which the bacteria thrive, therefore it is better to eat sweets at the end of a meal rather than in between meals.

Sunflower seeds contain a large amount of vitamin A, phosphorus, fluoride and calcium and ~re therefore very essential for teeth, they also prevent bleeding gums and also strengthen the teeth. Foods rich in chlorophyll, a green pigment found in parsley, beet, turnip, carrrot and radishes are also very helpful in keeping the teeth healthy. Neem is full of chlorophyll, therefore, its twigs are very effective for cleaning the mouth, if used as a brush.

Rose water or a few drops of spirit or peppermint added to a glass of water not only makes a very refreshing mouthwash but also lends a fragrance to your mouth. Apple juice too with its natural acids makes a very effective mouth wash.

If you knock out a tooth either due to an accident or a fight, all is not lost. Don't wash the tooth even if it is dirty, put it either in a glass of milk or a lightly salted water, but if you cannot get hold of both of them, close the tooth very carefully and gently and carry it in your cheek and reach the dentist with in half an hour, your own tooth will be good as new after it is replanted.

Decayed or broken teeth can be covered with crowns. These are synthetic teeth which cover decayed or broken teeth. They are made of porcelain and strengthened inside with metal.

If you have a gap between two teeth, a synthetic one can be fitted between two crowns to fill the space.

If you lose your teeth due to some reason then you can be fitted with dentures; dentures are removable sets of false teeth which can look very real. These days instead of dentures people are opting for dental implants. Dental implants involve the permanent anchoring of artificial teeth directly to the jaw bone. This consists of an anchor cylinder or screw implanted into the jawbone. This acts as a receptor into which the teeth are screwed.

The fusion is as strong as that of natural teeth and once in place the implant performs the same function as natural teeth. Implants have great advantage over dentures which constitute a major problem both physically and psychologically. A person who uses dentures, his tongue and cheek cause the lower muscles to shift and become loose which results in tissue irritation, tenderness and pain whilst eating or inability to talk clearly. But in dental implants the natural feeling of having one's own teeth are restored. Any healthy person can be fitted with a dental implant but persons suffering from diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or liver disease or any other serious ailment cannot opt for dental implants, he has to opt for dentures. Whenever you go for dentures see that you go to a good dentist, the teeth should correspond to the shape of your face. The artificial teeth should match the color of your original teeth. Also remember although artificial teeth do not need any nutrients, but calcium, phosphorus and vitamins C and D are required to prevent your jaws from shrinking and holding the dentures firmly in place. If the diet is not rich in minerals, the jaw bone continues to lose minerals and the best dentures loose their fitting and become loose. With loose dentures you cannot chew the food properly and you fall a victim to gas, acidity and other digestive disease.

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