We have two sets of teeth: baby teeth and permanent teeth. Baby teeth start to pop out when we are about six months old and are completed by about three years of age. Baby teeth are important and require proper care. Like adult teeth, they are needed for chewing, proper pronunciation of words and, to some extent, self-esteem. he baby teeth hold the place for the adult teeth. If the baby teeth are
missing or come out too early, the adult teeth may shit, causing crooked teeth. Also, like adult teeth, baby teeth can get painful cavities. here are 20 primary baby teeth. he adult or perma-nent teeth begin to come in at about six years through 20 years. here are ive types and 32 permanent teeth:
1. Incisors: he four front teeth on the upper and lower jaws (8)
2. Canines: he pointy tooth next in line to the incisors (4)
3. Premolars: Two on each side of the canines (8)
4. Molars: Two in the back of the mouth next to the canines (8)
5. Wisdom teeth (technically a molar): he last tooth in your mouth (4)
Hygiene For Primary Teeth
For infants, formula or breast milk should not be allowed to pool in the mouth of a sleeping baby. his can cause dental decay. Prevent the baby from falling asleep with milk in its mouth, especially with a botle propped in their mouth. Ater each feeding, gently wipe the baby’s gums with a clean cloth or gauze. Continue this type of oral hygiene until the child begins to have teeth. hen gently brush the teeth with a small sot toothbrush. Toothpaste should not be used until the child is able to spit it out. When they do start to brush with toothpaste, only a pea size amount is needed.At about six years of age, children begin to get their irst permanent molars. Once this happens, children should deinitely be using dental loss to prevent plaque, gum disease and cavities. Children should go to the dentist regularly; the irst appointment should be made by the third birthday or once all the primary/baby teeth are visible. Have the dentist reinforce the proper method of lossing with your child.Adult Oral Hygiene Adults need to continue or develop habits that should have been formed in childhood. Brush at least twice a day with a sot tooth brush for at least two minutes, brush your tongue, loss your teeth at least once a day–prefer-ably twice a day, schedule a dental visit twice a year for a checkup and cleaning, don’t eat candy or drink soda or sweet drinks frequently. Drink some water ater every meal. his will help remove any lingering food particles from your teeth. Use luorinated toothpaste and ingest the recommended amount of luoride.
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a negatively charged ion that prevents the breakdown of your enamel by the acid in your mouth that is created when oral bacteria and sugar come together. Fluoride also helps to remineralize the enamel if acid has caused any demineralization. Fluoride is added to drinking water in many communities. Fluoride is natu-rally found in meat, ish, eggs and tea-leaves. here is controversy over luorinated water. In excess quantities, luoride may cause britle bones and joint and muscle stifness. Discuss the beneits and risks with your dentist and primary care physician.
Cavities — the What, How and Why
A cavity is the result of a demineralization of the enamel to such an extent that the enamel erodes or decays causing a hole. he decay may continue through the dentin into the pulp, ultimately destroying the tooth (see diagram below). he demineralization process occurs when the tooth’s enamel is exposed to an acid with a pH less than 5.6. Acid is anything with a pH less than 7.0. Water has a pH of about 7.0. Saliva has a pH from 6.2 to 7.4. One of the functions of saliva is to help neutralize the acid in your mouth, and raise the pH in your mouth, counteracting the efects of the acid. he table on the following page pro-vides the acidity of some common food and beverages.
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