1. What does this mean?

Dental health includes all aspects of health and how our mouth works, especially regarding our teeth and gum. Other than to allow us to eat, talk, laugh (think about white smiles), our teeth and gum also have to find infections and bacteria, which can cause cavities, gum inflammation, teeth decay and bad breath.

Cavities is a hole that appear in the teeth and is the most common dental health problem. Cavity prevention consists in a good oral hygiene combined with the use of fluoride and the consumption of food that will not cause cavities.

Just like the nose of the Sphinx, teeth can also erode. This is normal and is part of tooth aging. The tooth enamel can deteriorate following exposition to acidic substances other than the the one made by dental plaque.

Wearing out and abrasion are other form of tooth erosion. The wearing out of the teeth is caused by the natural contact of teeth between each other. Erosion is caused by external mechanical factors, such as bad brushing technique.

Paradontosis is the inflammation of the gum and other deeper structures. The most common type of paradontosis is gingivitis, which is the result of infection and inflammation of the gum and other dental tissues. Extreme cases of paradontosis can lead to tooth loss.

2. Why is dental health so important for the well-being and the overall health?

Mouth and dental health are closely connected to general health and to the well-being. The ability to chew and swallow is essential to get all the nutrients we need to stay healthy. Moreover, lacking dental health can also impact on the speech and, which can possibly affect self-confidence. Dental diseases and problems also lead to financial and social issues, because they are costly to fix. Furthermore, dental pain due to poor dental health is also the cause of many miss school or work days.

3. The how and the why of cavities

Cavities are the result of acid generated erosion caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque. Those bacteria creates a sticky coat, the dental plaque. Those bacteria eat sugars and secrete acidic products. Those acidic products dissolve minerals such as calcium and phosphorus found in teeth. This is demineralization of teeth.

Cavities can be fixed. Saliva wash off the food in the mouth and neutralize the acidic products released by the bacteria. This process is essential for teeth remineralization. Saliva also brings the fluoride found in the toothpaste or other dental cleaning products to the teeth. Fluoride is used to help control cavities by helping tooth remineralization by inhibiting the production of acids by the bacteria, therefore slowing teeth corrosion.

Fortunately, the formation of cavity doesn’t occur easily. It usually happens once there is an unbalance between demineralization and remineralization.

4. What can increase the formation of cavities

There are several factors that can influence the development of cavities. The susceptibility to cavity varies between people and between each tooth in the mouth. The shape of the jaw and of the mouth, the structure of the teeth, saliva quantity like quality are all factors that will influence predisposition of tooth decay. For example, some teeth may have more hollows or cracks, that allow bacteria and acids to get in more easily. Sometimes, the structure of the jaw or the dentition structure make toothbrushing, flossing or cleaning of some area more difficult.

How much saliva is produced and its quality give a good idea of how teeth remineralization. For instance, cavities usually don’t form at the front of the mouth, where teeth are more exposed to saliva flux.

The type and number of bacteria in the mouth is also an important factor to tooth cavity. All bacteria can ferment sugars into acidic products, but some species of Streptococcus and Lactobacilli produce more. Therefore, a higher presence of those strains in the dental plaque increase the risk of erosion. Some people have higher concentrations of those bacteria on their teeth, generally due to poor dental hygiene.

This is why it is important that you brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime, with your best electric toothbrush, floss your teeth every day and reduce you consumption on high in sugar food, such as candies.

For more information, visit Best Electric Toothbrush.

Your teeth are important, in many other ways. Healthy teeth help make a healthy person. They allow you to eat, to speak clearly, and of course, to you look your best.

After your eat, sugar covers your teeth. And bacteria love that sugar, which allow them to proliferate. The bacteria break that sugar down into acids, which cause your tooth enamel to weaken, causing holes in your teeth, or in other words, cavities.

picture by yomi955

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria and sugars that constantly forms on our teeth. They are the direct cause of gingivitis, a gum disease that can make your gum go red and swell.

The lack of teeth care will lead to cavities and unhealthy gum, which can be make your mouth very sore, making it difficult to eat. With unhealthy teeth and gum, chances are that you won’t feel like smiling so much.

The invention of toothpate… and before

With years and years of research, we now know how to take care of our teeth. Before the invention of toothpaste and toothbrushes, when people didn’t know as much about teeth care, as people got older, their teeth would rot away. They would have to endure pain. If the toothache was unbearable, they could only pull out the rotting teeth out. But today, with our technology and science, we have the tools to take care of our teeth. However, although we have the right tools, you also need to take the time to use them. And while you’re swishing that minty, vanilla-y or bubble-gummy fresh toothpaste around your mouth, think about how lucky you are. Over 100 years ago, people were using

* ground-up chalk or charcoal
* lemon juice
* ashes
* tobacco and honey mixed together

to clean their teeth…

The first minty fresh tooth cleaning product was invented only about 100 years ago. A few years later, the toothpaste tube was invented, allowing people to squeeze the paste right onto the toothbrush! Popularity of tooth brushing rose during World War II as the  U.S. Army gave toothbrushes (we bet they weren’t best electric toothbrushes!) and toothpaste to their soldiers, who learned to brush twice a day.

Today, there are plenty of flavors and types of toothpaste to choose from. There are mint/vanilla/cinnamon flavored toothpaste, there are toothpaste for kids, for people with sensitive teeth, there are toothpaste with whitening added. Just watch TV commercials or ads in magazines to see the number of varieties in tooth care products. Most toothpaste brands contains fluoride, a product also used at your dentist’s office, which helps increase the strength of your teeth, protecting them from cavities. But tooth care products doesn’t stop there. You probably own a manual toothbrush, a best electric toothbrush, floss that were designed to help you take care of your mouth and teeth.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Here are some tips to keep your teeth healthy.

* Brush a minimum of twice a day — after breakfast and before bedtime. If possible, brush after lunch or after sweet snacks. Brushing often will help break down plaque, reducing the chance of painful gingivitis.
* Brush your teeth properly. Spend some time to brush the teeth at the very back of your mouth. Wisdom teeth are more difficult to access, so make sure you spend some time brushing them. Ask your dentist to show you the best way to brush.
* Don’t rush it. Take your time brushing and spend at least 2 or 3 minutes each time. An electric toothbrush can be a good tool to use as they often include a timer, so your never underbrush.
* Make sure to change toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3 months. You can opt for a toothbrush that have bristles that change color, indicating when it is time to change the toothbrush.
* Ask you dentist about using an antibacterial mouth rinse. Note, it is important not too overuse mouth rinses as they can kill the “good bacteria” .
* Floss every night, or after every meal and snacks. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist how to floss properly.
* Brush your tongue. This will help keep your mouth fresh longer.
* Make sure to visit your dentist every 6 months. A regular visit a the dentist office will help reduce the chances of cavities and gum diseases.
* Don’t eat too much sweet food. Drink lots of water.

And last but not least, don’t forget to smile!

For more information, visit Best Electric Toothbrush.