Dental Diseases

Dental Diseases

People begin life with good dental health. To keep your teeth for life, mouth care should begin from an early age. Clean healthy teeth and gums help you to look good and feel good about yourself.

Most dental problems begin with plaque, a sticky layer of germs that grow on teeth daily. There are two main dental diseases - tooth decay and gum disease.

Tooth decay occurs when germs in the plaque turn the sugars in food into acid which attacks the teeth. If this happens many times the acid can make a hole in the tooth (tooth decay). 

Tooth Decay
Tooth decay can start at a young age. Decay is more likely to occur in a child who constantly sucks on a bottle filled with sweet liquid, or a dummy dipped in something sweet such as honey. Use the bottle only at feeding times and remove as soon as the child has finished feeding. If the baby needs a drink in bed, use water only. If the baby wants a dummy make sure it is clean. Never put anything sweet on a dummy like honey, this will encourage tooth decay.

Children are not born with decay causing bacteria. These are passed from parents to children by things such as sharing spoons or tasting food. Parents can help prevent tooth decay in their children by making sure their own teeth and gums are kept clean and healthy.

Gum Disease
Gum disease occurs when germs in the plaque infect the gums causing them to become red, puffy and bleed easily (gingivitis). If plaque is left on teeth for a long time it becomes hard and this is called ‘calculus’ or ‘tartar’. This cannot be removed with a toothbrush, it must be scraped off by a dental professional.

Refer my post:
http://healthtips-sastha.blogspot.in/2012/10/teeth-and-gums-care.html