Friday, March 4, 2011

Benefits of tooth brushing and prevent gum bleeding






We all must have noticed a soft sticky layer forming on our teeth everyday. This layer is called PLAQUE. It is mainly formed of foodtoothpaste debris and bacteria. Brushing teeth removes plaque and gives us clean teeth, gums and a fresh breath. For healthy teeth and gums it is mandatory to have good oral hygiene and for that brushing should be perfect.
Most dental problems are because of improper brushing technique. One may be brushing 3to4 times a day, but if brushing technique is not proper, there will be food lodgment in between the teeth resulting in oral hygiene. That is why learning proper brushing technique is very important.
why gums bleeding during washing?
perfectly healthy gums should not bleed when we brush our teeth, says Dr. Mark Gustavson, a partner at Affiliated Dentists in Madison, Wisconsin. If they do, you need to start examining your oral hygiene habits, and if things don’t improve quickly, it’s time to book an appointment with your dentist.
Healthy gums should not bleed when you brush your teeth. When a patient’s oral hygiene is not as good as it should be, the build-up of plaque and tartar inflames the tissue. That means that when you go to brush it or remove the tartar, then your gums will bleed.
If the plaque is consistently removed with good flossing and brushing habits and the patient regularly sees his dentist, his gum tissue should not bleed.
If after regular cleaning and perfect oral hygiene bleeding still exists, then the concern becomes detecting the presence of periodontal disease. If periodontal disease is images present, then periodontal therapy would need to be completed.
That could be through scaling and root cleaning, the use of antibiotics in the pockets of the gum tissue around the teeth, and more frequent periodontal maintenance visits.
With severe periodontal disease, sometimes bone grafting can be completed to regrow some bone. But in worst cases, the only option is sometimes removal of the teeth, and then hopefully replacement with a dental implant.
It is always a good idea to see your dentist if you notice any of the following problems:
  • Bleeding of the gums on a regular basis, whenever you brush or floss your teeth.

  • Teeth that are loose when they should not be.

  • Persistent bad breath that does not go away despite proper oral hygiene habits.

  • Discoloration of the gums.

  • Gums that appear unduly red, swollen or tender.

If your gums appear to be pulling away from your mouth or if there is pus when you brush your teeth, see your dentist immediately. Gum disease can be stopped with early intervention. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
7 Reasons to Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day

1) Fluoride
Most toothpaste brands include fluoride as one of the main ingredients in toothpaste. Fluoride is instrumental in preventing cavities from forming. When you brush before going to bed it’s a first line of defense against the formation of cavities while you images (1) sleep.
Why? It works because the fluoride creates a layer of protection around your teeth. When you wake in the morning, one of the first things you need to do is brush your teeth in order to “touch up” that layer of protection and help protect your teeth throughout the day.
Make sure the brand of toothpaste you use provides adequate fluoride protection to safeguard your pearly whites against cavities and other signs of decay.


2) Bacteria
It’s important to brush your teeth two times a day in order to remove harmful bacteria from building up in your mouth. The bacteria, if left unchecked for a full 24-hour period will have plenty of time to do more damage to the enamel of your teeth.
A 12-hour window may not seem like a huge reduction in the amount of time for images (2) damage to be done but it literally cuts the amount of time in half. When you combine that with other efforts to eliminate the buildup of bacteria inside the mouth like
flossing and using an antiseptic mouthwash or rinse the results are even more profound.
In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, consider an antibacterial mouthwash. This will not only help protect your teeth and gums from harmful bacteria but will also remove the bacteria that leads to bad breath as well.
3) Saliva Production
While you are sleeping at night you produce less saliva than you do during the day. Saliva actually works inside your mouth as an added layer of defense against bacteria images (3) and plaque that leads to cavities. Brushing immediately before going to bed will remove many of the little particles of food and a lot of the bacteria inside your mouth that is just looking for a way to degrade your dental health.
Overnight the bacteria that remains behind creates acid (as it breaks down) inside your mouth. That acid can damage teeth and lead to cavities. Brushing first thing in the morning will reduce that risk as well.
If you are taking medications that dry your mouth it is in your best interest to start a habit of chewing sugar-free gum (the chewing action actually works to increase salivation) and drink plenty of water to keep your mouth hydrated.
4) Prevent Tartar Buildup
Tartar can build up above or below the gums. Unfortunately, it’s something that you images (4) can’t get rid of on your own. The only way to remove tartar once it gets its foot in the door is to pay a visit to your local dentist who will actually perform a thorough cleaning and literally scrape the tartar away. Failing to remove tartar buildup can lead to gum disease or even periodontal disease.
This is one thing where prevention is definitely the best cure. Tartar buildup can be prevented with regular professional cleanings by your dentist, twice daily brushing with tartar control toothpaste, and regular use of mouthwashes or rinses that are designed to assist in the fight against tartar and plaque.
People who have diabetes, smoke, or who frequently suffer from dry mouth are at greater risk for heavy tartar buildup and should take extra precautions.
5) Protect Gums
Brushing your teeth does more than just remove bacteria from the teeth, keep your breath minty fresh, and create sparkling white teeth. Good dental health is about so much more than just your teeth. Your gums are an important part of the oral hygiene and dental health tradition. If you aren’t taking good care of them, your teeth will soon fall into their own states of emergency.
Poor gum health can lead to periodontal disease, tooth sensitivity, tooth shifting, images (5) abscessed teeth, and even tooth loss. Brushing your teeth twice daily combined with flossing, antiseptic mouth rinses, and regular dental checkups and cleaning will go a long way towards overall good gum health.
Treatments for gum disease once it sets in include plaque removal in the dentist office, prescription mouth rinses to kill bacteria, and potential surgery for more severe cases.
6) Fresh Breath
No one wants to be the person in a crowded elevator with a not so small case of halitosis. Companies everywhere are making a fortune off products that are designed to make breath smell minty fresh. Fresh breath is associated with good dental health and will keep people from shying away from you in a crowd.images (6)
Mints, sprays, and gum have their uses but nothing is as effective at controlling bad breath as regular brushing of the teeth. Other things you can do that will help include using a tongue scraper as part of your daily oral care routine. This will remove odor causing bacteria from the tongue. Some dentists recommend brushing the tongue with your toothbrush as well as the teeth for cases of severe halitosis.
7) Improved Overall Health
There is more than a healthy smile on the line when people fail to pay proper attention to good dental health. The health of your smile reveals a good deal about your overall health and should not be overlooked.
Gum disease isn’t limited to your mouth. The bacteria from gum disease can get into your bloodstream leaving the entire body vulnerable. Some of the illnesses and diseases that can be linked to poor oral health include: cardiovascular disease, images (7) diabetes, osteoporosis, and premature or low birth weight babies.
Brushing your teeth twice a day can greatly decrease the odds of developing gum disease. As a result the risks of these other diseases due to the gum disease will decrease as well. Can you imagine the difference it will make when brushing is combined with routine dental checkups and cleanings, flossing, and using an antiseptic mouth rinse?


always  remember  healthy  starts with a healthy tooth.
Remember to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Researchers have established that thousands of microbes grow on toothbrush bristles and handles. Most are harmless, but others can cause cold and flu viruses, the herpes virus that causes cold sores, and bacteria that can cause periodontal infections.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Tooth Brushing






Brushing your teeth is one of the most effective ways of removing plaque from the exposed surfaces of your teeth and to make your teeth healthy.
Why Healthy Teeth Are Important?
Taking care of your teeth helps prevent plaque , which is a clear film of bacteria  that sticks to your teeth.After you eat, bacteria go crazy over the sugar on your topcycle teeth, like ants at a picnic. The bacteria break it down into acids that eat away tooth enamel, causing holes called cavities. Plaque also causes gingivitis , which is gum disease that can make your gums red, swollen, and sore. Your gums are those soft pink tissues in your mouth that hold your teeth in place.If you don't take care of your teeth, cavities and unhealthy gums will make your mouth very, very sore. Eating meals will be difficult. And you won't feel like smiling so much.


If teeth are not brushed correctly and frequently, it could lead to the calcification of saliva minerals, forming tartar. Poor dental health has been associated with heart disease and shortened life expectancy.
In the past:
3000 BC ancient Egyptians constructed crude toothbrushes from twigs and leaves to clean their teeth. Similarly, other cultures such as the Greeks, Romans, and Indians cleaned their teeth with twigs. Some would fray one end of the twig so that it could penetrate between the teeth more effectively.
Long ago, as people got older, their teeth would rot away and be very painful. To get rid of a toothache, they had their teeth pulled out. Finally people learned that cleaning their teeth was important, but they didn't have toothpaste right away. While you're swishing that minty-fresh paste around your mouth, think about what people used long ago to clean teeth:
  • ground-up chalk or charcoal

  • lemon juice

  • ashes (you know, the stuff that's left over after a fire)

  • tobacco and honey mixed together

It was only about 100 years ago that someone finally created a minty cream to clean teeth. Not long after that, the toothpaste tube was invented, so people could squeeze the paste right onto the toothbrush! Tooth brushing became popular during World War II. The U.S. Army gave brushes and toothpaste to all soldiers, and they learned to brush twice a day. Back then, toothpaste tubes were made of metal; today they're made of soft plastic and are much easier to squeeze!


Today there are plenty of toothpaste and brushes choices: lots of colors and flavors to choose from, and some are made just for kids. People with great-looking teeth advertise toothpaste on TV commercials and in magazines. When you're choosing a toothpaste, make sure it contains fluoride . Fluoride makes your teeth strong and protects them from cavities.
How to brush your teeth?
1- prepare your tooth brush:
After flossing, moisten your toothbrush with water and apply a thin strip of toothpaste. Try to choose one that contains fluoride.
1
2- start in the  back:
Start with your upper molars (back teeth) on your left side and work in a clockwise direction.
Point the bristles toward the gumline, in a 45-degree angle. Use a short circular motion for approximately 20 seconds.
2

3-Roll Away:
After 20 seconds, roll the brush head away from the gumline, so the bristles sweep the surface of the tooth, removing the food and plaque.
3

4-Work in a Clockwise Direction:

Continue working in a clockwise direction, ending with the lower molars on your left side. Repeat step two and three for the inside surface of the upper and lower molars.
4 5-Brushing the Back Surface of the Upper Front Teeth:
Brush the lingual (back) surface of the upper-front teeth by using the tip of the toothbrush head. Direct the bristles toward the gumline, and use a flicking motion down the surface of the tooth. Do this 2 to 3 times.5

6-Brushing the Back of the Lower Front Teeth:

Point the bristles of the tip of the toothbrush toward the gumline. Flick the bristles up, away from the gumline in a sweeping motion. Do this 2 to 3 times.
6 

7-Brush the Biting Surface:

Brush the biting surface of the upper and lower premolars and molars, using a circular motion.
7

8-Brush Your Tongue and the Inside of Your Cheeks:

Using a gentle circular motion, brush your tongue for 30 seconds and the inside of your cheeks for 30 seconds.
8
 9-Finish Up With a Rinse:
Finish by rinsing with either water or your choice of mouthwash. Don't forget to smile!


Remember to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Researchers have established that thousands of microbes grow on toothbrush bristles and handles. Most are harmless, but others can cause cold and flu viruses, the herpes virus that causes cold sores, and bacteria that can cause periodontal infections.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Physiology of teeth






Mouth Divisions:
   The mouth can be divided into sections:

Arches (there are 2 arches present)- an arch will divide the mouth into top and

bottom

Quadrants (there are 4 quadrants present)- a quadrant divides an arch into right

and left

These divisions refer to both the primary and permanent dentitions.

Maxillary Arch

• This is the top arch or jaw.

• The maxillary arch contains 16 permanent teeth.

• The maxillary arch contains 10 primary teeth.

• The maxillary arch contains 2 quadrants.

Mandibular Arch:
• This is the bottom arch or jaw.

• The mandibular arch contains 16 permanent teeth.

• The mandibular arch contains 10 primary teeth.

• The mandibular arch contains 2 quadrants.

The mouth will have 4 Quadrants:

• MX right (quadrant 1) MX left (quadrant 2)

• MD right (quadrant 3) MD left (quadrant 4)

 
divided by a midline (the midline refers to an imaginary line that divides the mouth into right and left halves)

Names of Teeth:

  If you look in your mouth, you will notice that the teeth in the front of the mouth

look different than the teeth in the back of the mouth. This is because there are

different types of teeth in the mouth.

1 -Anterior teeth

• These are the teeth in the front of the mouth

Names of the anterior teeth:

      central incisors

      lateral incisors

      canines

2 - Posterior teeth

• These are the teeth in the back of the mouth

Names of the posterior teeth:

       premolars

       molarsimages-1
Tooth Numbers:
tooth numbers help the patient and the dentist to diagnose the case correctly.

• Teeth are given numbers as a way to identify them

Permanent dentition- Maxillary or top arch contains tooth numbers 1 - 16

Mandibular arch contains tooth numbers 17 – 32

Primary dentition- Maxillary arch contains tooth letters A - J

Mandibular arch contains tooth letters K - T

Permanent Tooth Numbers:

images


Maxillary Tooth Numbers:

• Tooth #1 MX Right 3rd Molar

• Tooth #2 MX Right 2nd Molar

• Tooth #3 MX Right 1st Molar

• Tooth #4 MX Right 2nd Premolar

• Tooth #5 MX Right 1st Premolar

• Tooth #6 MX Right Canine

• Tooth #7 MX Right Lateral Incisor

• Tooth #8 MX Right Central Incisor

• Tooth #9 MX Left Central Incisor

• Tooth #10 MX Left Lateral Incisor

• Tooth #11 MX Left Canine

• Tooth #12 MX Left 1st Premolar

• Tooth #13 MX Left 2nd Premolar

• Tooth #14 MX Left 1st Molar

• Tooth #15 MX Left 2nd Molar

• Tooth #16 MX Left 3rd Molar



Mandibular Tooth Numbers:

• Tooth #17 MD Left 3rd Molar

• Tooth #18 MD Left 2nd Molar

• Tooth #19 MD Left 1st Molar

• Tooth #20 MD Left 2nd Premolar

• Tooth #21 MD Left 1st Premolar

• Tooth #22 MD Left Canine

• Tooth #23 MD Left Lateral Incisor

• Tooth #24 MD Left Central Incisor

• Tooth #25 MD Right Central Incisor

• Tooth #26 MD Right Lateral Incisor

• Tooth #27 MD Right Canine

• Tooth #28 MD Right 1st Premolar

• Tooth #29 MD Right 2nd Premolar

• Tooth #30 MD Right 1st Molar

• Tooth #31 MD Right 2nd Molar

• Tooth #32 MD Right 3rd Molar



Primary Tooth Letters:

Maxillary Tooth Letters

• Letter A MX Right Primary 2nd Molar

• Letter B MX Right Primary 1st Molar

• Letter C MX Right Primary Canine

• Letter D MX Right Primary Lateral Incisor

• Letter E MX Right Primary Central Incisor

• Letter F MX Left Primary Central Incisor

• Letter G MX Left Primary Lateral Incisor

• Letter H MX Left Primary Canine

• Letter I MX Left Primary 1st Molar

• Letter J MX Left Primary 2nd Molar

• Letter K MD Left Primary 2nd Molar

• Letter L MD Left Primary 1st Molar

• Letter M MD Left Primary Canine

• Letter N MD Left Primary Lateral Incisor

• Letter O MD Left Primary Central Incisor

• Letter P MD Right Primary Central Incisor

• Letter Q MD Right Primary Lateral Incisor

• Letter R MD Right Primary Canine

• Letter S MD Right Primary 1st Molar

• Letter T MD Right Primary 2nd Molar

Tooth Surfaces:

• the crown or portion of the tooth that you can see when the mouth is open, are

divided into surfaces

• these surfaces are named according to the direction in which they face

Mesial

• this surface is closest to the midline

Distal

• this surface is farthest from the midline

Facial

• designates the outer surface of an anterior tooth

• is also called Labial

Buccal

• designates the outer surface of a posterior tooth

Lingual

• the surface of the tooth that is towards the tongue or roof of the mouth

• Palatal- term used for maxillary teeth

Occlusal

• biting or occluding surfaces of posterior teeth

Incisal

• “biting” surface of anterior teeth