Dental care

Dental care is the maintenance of healthy teeth. Forms include:

• Oral hygiene, the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean in order to prevent cavities (dental caries), gum disease, and other dental disorders
• Dentistry, the professional care of teeth, including professional oral hygiene and dental surgery

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What is basic dental care?

Basic dental care involves brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, seeing your dentist and/or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a mouth-healthy diet, which means foods high in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.

                                 BRUSHING

     

                               FLOSSING

Why is basic dental care important?

Practicing basic dental care:

• Prevents tooth decay.
• Prevents gum (periodontal) disease , which can damage gum tissue and thebones  that support teeth , and in the long term can lead to the loss of teeth.
• Shortens time with the dentist and dental hygienist, and makes the trip more pleasant.
• Saves money. By preventing tooth decay and gum disease, you can reduce the need for fillings and other costly procedures.
• Helps prevent bad breath. Brushing and flossing rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
• Helps keep teeth white by preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco.
• Improves overall health.
• Makes it possible for your teeth to last a lifetime.

Are there ways to avoid dental problems?

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires good nutrition and regular brushing and flossing.

• Brush your teeth twice a day-in the morning and before bed-and floss once a day. This removes plaque, which can lead to damaged teeth, gums, and surrounding bone.
• Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. Ask your dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride or one with ingredients that fight plaque. Look for toothpastes that have been approved by the American Dental Association.
• Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar helps plaque grow.
• Avoid using tobacco products, which can cause gum disease and oral cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) also may cause gum disease as well as other health problems.¹
• Practice tongue cleaning. You can use a tongue cleaner or a soft-bristle toothbrush, stroking in a back-to-front direction. Tongue cleaning is particularly important for people who smoke or whose tongues are coated or deeply grooved.
• Schedule regular trips to the dentist based on how often you need exams and cleaning.

When should my child start seeing a dentist?

By the time your child is 6 months of age, your doctor should assess the likelihood of your child having future dental problems. If he or she thinks your child will have dental problems, be sure your child sees a dentist before his or her first birthday or 6 months after the first primary teeth appear , whichever comes first. After your first visit, schedule regular visits every 6 months or as your dentist recommends.

Experts recommend that your child's dental care start at 12 months of age. If your baby has dental problems caused by injury, disease, or a developmental problem, see your pediatric dentist right away.

Basic Dental Care - Routine Checkups

Your dentist will recommend how often to have routine checkups. Many people should see their dentists once or twice a year. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay,gum disease, and other health problems.

• Your dental hygienist will begin to clean your teeth by scraping hard mineral buildup (tartar) off of your teeth with a small metal tool. Then the hygienist will floss your teeth, use a polishing compound, and apply fluoride. Cleanings usually aren't painful.
• Occasionally your dentist will want to take X-rays. The X-rays take only a few minutes.
  • Your dentist or technician will have you put on a heavy apron to shield your body from X-rays. Everyone else in the room will either wear a protective apron or step behind a protective shield.
  • Your dentist or technician will have you bite down on a small piece of plastic. This will help align the teeth properly for the machine. Your dentist or technician will repeat this process several times to get pictures of all your teeth.
• If needed, your dentist will put a sealant on the chewing surface of your back teeth to help prevent cavities. Sealants keep food and bacteria from getting stuck in the rough chewing surfaces or grooves of your teeth, and they protect your teeth from plaque.
• Your dentist or hygienist may apply a fluoride solution directly to your teeth to help prevent tooth decay. Your dentist may recommend a series of fluoride applications.
• If you are prone to infections, or if infections are particularly dangerous for you, you may need to take antibiotics before you have some types of dental work. You may need to take antibiotics if you:
  • Have certain heart problems that make it dangerous for you to get a heartinfection called endocarditis.
  • Have an impaired immune system.
  • Had recent major surgeries or have man-made body parts, such as an artificial hip or heart valve.
• Your dentist or hygienist may ask you about the foods you eat. What you eat and whether you get enough vitamins and minerals can affect your dental health.
• If you have active tooth decay or gum disease, your dentist will talk to you about changing your brushing or flossing habits. In severe cases, he or she may recommend antibiotics, special mouthwashes, or other dental treatments. If your teeth and gums appear healthy, your dentist will recommend that you continue your usual brushing and flossing.

Source and for other information: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/basic-dental-care-overview

What is  Root Canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is the removal of the tooth's pulp, a small, thread-like tissue in the center of the tooth. Once the damaged, diseased or dead pulp is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped and filled. This procedure seals off the root canal. Years ago, teeth with diseased or injured pulps were removed. Today, root canal treatment saves many teeth that would otherwise be lost. 

The most common causes of pulp damage or death are: 

• A cracked tooth 
• A deep cavity 
• An injury to a tooth, such as a severe knock to the tooth, either recent or in the past. 

Once the pulp is infected or dead, if left untreated, pus can build up at the root tip in the jawbone, forming an abscess. An abscess can destroy the bone surrounding the tooth and cause pain

How is a Root Canal Done?

Root canal treatment consists of several steps that take place over several office visits, depending on the situation. These steps are: 

First, an opening is made through the back of a front tooth or the crown of a molar or pre-molar. 

After the diseased pulp is removed (a pulpectomy), the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, enlarged and shaped in preparation for being filled. 

If more than one visit is needed, a temporary filling is placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between dental visits. 

The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and root canal permanently filled. A tapered, rubbery material called gutta-percha is inserted into each of the canals and is often sealed into place with cement. Sometimes a metal or plastic rod is placed in the canal for structural support. 

In the final step, a crown is usually placed over the tooth to restore its natural shape and appearance. If the tooth is very broken down, a post may be required to build it up prior to placing a crown. 

How Long Will the Restored Tooth Last?

Your treated and restored tooth/teeth can last a lifetime with proper care. Because tooth decay can still occur in treated teeth, good oral hygiene and regular dental exams are necessary to prevent further problems. 

Tooth pulp damaged by a deep cavity.The chamber is filled and sealed.

As there is no longer a pulp keeping the tooth alive, root-treated teeth can become brittle and are more prone to fracture. This is an important consideration when deciding whether to crown or fill a tooth after root canal treatment. 

To determine the success or failure of root canal treatment, the most relied-upon method is to compare new X-rays with those taken prior to treatment. This comparison will show whether bone continues to be lost or is being regenerated. 

   

Tooth pulp damaged by a deep cavity. The pulp is removed and the root canals cleaned before filling. The chamber is filled and sealed.