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It’s not easy maintaining your teeth. HEMA VIJAY lists out ways to keep your 32 intact
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IN CHILDHOOD Milk teeth should be cared for well as they are crucial for proper aligning of jaws
Most of us fall prey to toothache and sensitivity. Many of us go on to loose teeth, and consequently the original cheek contours and speech quality change as we grow older. And not only does teeth trouble inflict trauma, it also puts restrictions on the kind of food and nutrition we can imbibe.
But the fact is, you don’t really have to loose your teeth down the years, neither in quantity nor in quality. Properly taken care of, teeth can last a lifetime with all its glory intact. And thankfully, 90 per cent of teeth trouble can be averted if a proper teeth care routine is maintained. The most crucial factor is to rinse and brush your teeth regularly and in the right way. “Food particles on the teeth attract bacteria, which secrete acid and consequently remove calcium from your teeth causing tooth discolouration, tooth decay and gum disease”, explains Dr. M.B. Aswath Narayanan, Professor and H.O.D., Preventive and Community Dentistry, Tamil Nadu Government Dental college. Here is how you can take care of your teeth.
Bad Breadth, Discoloured Teeth and Oral Cancer
lBad breath need not be a simple fallout of the kind of food we eat, tooth decay or gum infections; "Bad breath could also be indicative of gastro-intestinal and kidney disorders, diabetes, and even lung infection", says Prof. Narayanan.
lAnd in areas where bore wells reach deep, fluoride content in water goes up and causes dental fluorosis and discoloured teeth with the fluoride in the water acting on the teeth. And never give tetracycline to children below 12 years of age. "Tetracycline can cause teeth discolouration in growing children", warns Dr. S. Mahesheshwari, dental surgeon.
lTobacco usage in any form can cause oral cancer. "Any non-healing ulcer, painless ulcer or swelling, difficulty in swallowing and change of speech or voice should be taken seriously and checked upon", says Dr. Prem Vidyasagar, dental surgeon.
Teeth and Children
lBecause milk teeth fall off, we tend to think that milk teeth do not need care. "But milk teeth are very crucial for proper growth and positioning of jaws and the succeeding teeth", warns Dr. Vidyasagar. And to grow and maintain healthy teeth, we need to drink two glasses or 300 ml of milk everyday, besides other nutritious food rich in calcium, iron and fibrous food (which are natural cleansers). This is especially crucial in the formative years, but definitely needed as we grow older too.
l Mothers need to watch out for thumb sucking and grinding of teeth in their kids too. This can lead to crooked teeth. And to ensure that teeth are formed in a row Dr. Narayanan suggests serial extraction of milk teeth. "This can make space for the erupting permanent teeth to form in a row, and avert the need for braces later on", he says.
l And finally, chew on this: If you detect tooth trouble early, both the pain and dental charges will be less. So, make yearly dental checks part of your life. These days, not just teeth discolouration, even malformed jaws which jut out of the face can be corrected with surgery.
More tips
l Use toothbrushes labelled ’soft’, unless specified otherwise by the dentist.
l Overhaul toothbrushes every three months.
l Use any toothpaste, preferably of the herbal kind.
l A pea-sized quantity of paste will do; tap the brush so that the paste sinks into the brush and is available for brushing all the teeth.
l Do not use coal, salt or even toothpowder; rough particles wear away teeth.
l Brushing movement should be up-and-down. Horizontal brushing merely wears away teeth
l Brush the inner sides of the teeth too, not just the side facing outside.
l Rinse your mouth after every meal.
l Brush your teeth at least twice a day - before going to bed and on waking up.
lThe best mouth wash is salt water - two tablespoons of salt in half a glass of water, unless you have hypertension.
l Stay away from cola and aerated drinks. They are acidic and will wear away teeth.
l Do not keep snacking in between meals. This keeps food particles constantly available for the bacteria to chew on and cause tooth decay. Moreover, the saliva remains acidic for 30 minutes after food is taken in.
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