Well, let’s take a look at how we use and need our teeth.
Appearance
Teeth are very important to your appearance.
They not only make a nice smile, but they also shape your face.
Chewing
Teeth are important to chew food properly.
The chewing of food with your teeth is the first step in the digestion of food.
If food cannot be chewed properly, it can cause problems with digestion.
Talking (speech)
Teeth are important for speaking
Teeth work with the lips, cheeks and tongue, allowing us to pronounce words.
At your age, you should have both baby teeth as well as a few permanent teeth. This is called a “mixed dentition”.
Although you will eventually replace all of your baby teeth with permanent teeth, it is important that you continue to take care of these baby teeth.
Why? Well, Each Baby Tooth Holds a Place for a Permanent Tooth.
Your baby teeth are important place-holders for your permanent teeth.
As your permanent teeth come in, they will take up the space left by the loss of your baby teeth.
We lose our 20 baby teeth and grow
adult teeth because we need bigger,
stronger teeth to last the rest of our lives.
People get 32 permanent
teeth, which can last a
lifetime with proper care
Did you know that early loss of your baby teeth could cause problems?
Often baby teeth are lost early as a result of tooth decay or accidents. This early loss creates a space.
This space needs to be saved in order for the permanent tooth to come in straight. The dentist can save the space by putting in a space maintainer (spacer).
Late loss of baby teeth can also cause problems...
Sometimes permanent teeth
come in before baby teeth
come out. This can cause teeth to
become crowded and overlap each other.
Crowded and overlapping teeth can cause gum disease and tooth decay because these crowded areas of the mouth are hard to clean. If these baby teeth do not
become loose on their own, the
dentist may have to remove them.
The permanent teeth are white, the baby teeth are gray.
Now that you understand what a cavity is let’s take a look at how plaque affects your gums too!
When plaque is left on your teeth for a while, harmful “germs” (bacteria) begin to increase and irritate your gum tissues. This causes bleeding and your gums may become sore.
This is called gum disease.
To prevent cavities, gum disease and bad breath you need to brush and floss your teeth regularly…
When should you brush your teeth?
After eating
At bedtime
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Oral Health Program
How long should you brush?
For about two minutes and at least twice each day.
Slide the floss in between each tooth, and move it up & down against the tooth.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Oral Health Program
How often should you floss?
Once each day to remove plaque from in between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach.
To keep your teeth functioning properly, you must see your dentist regularly.
When you visit the dentist, several things will probably be done…
# 1 A visual exam. A dentist will look at your teeth, gums and the way your teeth come together when you bite. The dentist is looking for tooth decay, gum disease, mouthsores & whether or not you might need braces.
# 1 A visual exam. A dentist will look at your teeth, gums and the way your teeth come together when you bite. The dentist is looking for tooth decay, gum disease, mouthsores & whether or not you might need braces.
# 2 X-rays will be taken of all your teeth.
These x-rays will show not only tooth decay, but the roots of the teeth and the bone around them.
They will also show any teeth that have not come in yet, and any extra teeth as well.
#3
#3
A Professional Cleaning
A dental hygienist will remove any plaque or hard deposits called calculus from your teeth using special instruments.
Your teeth will then be polished with a special kind of toothpaste. This will make your teeth feel smooth and clean.
The fluoride may be painted on your teeth with a small brush. This is called fluoride varnish.
To prevent cavities from forming on the chewing surfaces of your permanent molars, the dentist might recommend dental sealants.
To prevent cavities from forming on the chewing surfaces of your permanent molars, the dentist might recommend dental sealants.
Sealants are a thin coating of a plastic-like substance that are painted on the teeth.
When it hardens, this plastic coating prevents food and germs from getting down into the grooves on the chewing surfaces of your molars and prevents tooth decay!
So now that you know how to prevent tooth decay and gum disease….it’s up to you to keep your teeth and gums healthy!
So now that you know how to prevent tooth decay and gum disease….it’s up to you to keep your teeth and gums healthy!