Dental care - adult

Teeth - caring for; Oral hygiene; Dental hygiene

Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to build up on teeth within a few minutes after eating. If teeth are not cleaned well each day, plaque will lead to tooth decay or gum disease. If you do not remove plaque, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar that becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. Plaque and tartar irritate and inflame the gums. Bacteria and the body's inflammatory response to it cause the gums to become:

  • Infected
  • Swollen
  • Tender

By taking good care of your teeth and gums, you can help prevent problems such as tooth decay (caries) and gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis). You should also teach your children how to brush and floss from an early age to help them protect their teeth.

Plaque and tartar lead to a number of problems:

  • Cavities, or tooth decay are holes in the tooth's structure.
  • Gingivitis is red, swollen, inflamed, and bleeding gums.
  • Periodontitis is a gum infection that damages the supporting structures of the teeth, such as the gums, ligaments, and bone, and often leads to tooth loss.
  • Bad breath (halitosis).
  • Abscesses, pain, inability to use your teeth.
  • Other health problems outside the mouth, ranging from preterm labor to heart disease.
Teach children to brush

Healthy teeth and gums are essential to a child's overall good health. Without proper dental care tooth decay and gum disease can lead to serious problems such as cavities and gingivitis, swollen and bleeding gums. Regular visits to the dentist, brushing twice each day, and flossing, are ways to help maintain a healthy mouth.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis occurs when inflammation or infection of the gums (gingivitis) occurs and is not treated. Infection and inflammation caused by plaque buildup spreads from the gums (gingiva) to the ligaments and bone that support the teeth. Loss of support causes the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. Periodontitis is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults.

Denture care

Dentures are used when an individual is missing his natural teeth. It is just as important to take care of dentures as it is to take care of natural teeth, since problems such as gingivitis can still occur.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque and bacteria accumulation.

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