Facts about Tooth Decay
In today's society we are judged on how we look. If we do not look good then we must be failures. People are always looking for the next best products for their skin, hair and bodies. This obsession on how we look is blamed on TV advertising, celebrities and magazines. It goes without saying that the majority of people do look after their hair, skin, bodies and nails. One area that should be a priority that is often overlooked is dental hygiene. Regular dental hygiene is more important than just having white teeth.
Good dental hygiene must be a lifelong committment. As a child, my parents took me to see the dentist regularly. I also received regular fluoride treatment, which was not a very pleasant experience. However, all this was to of been in vain as my teeth are not something which I am very proud of. This is all my own fault and nothing to do with my parents. I have an extremely sweet tooth and this along with lapses in my dental routine have proven to be my downfall.
Bacteria in the mouth is formed if we do not brush our teeth after eating. Even brushing after every meal does remove all traces of food, and this is when bacteria occurrs. The action of the bacteria in the mouth in turn produces a lot of other products, the most damaging of which is acid. If this is not controlled then the end result is not a good one - cavities.
Streptococcus Mutans is the name of the bacteria that causes tooth decay. Cavities can appear in teeth in as little as six months, if proper care is not taken of them, or take as long as six years to appear, if more care is taken. The tooth enamel (outer layer of tooth) is hard, whilst the inner tooth is softer. Because the enamel is hard it can take a lot longer for decay to occur but once it does the softer centre of the tooth is exposed and is destroyed a lot quicker.
Brushing is not the only form of defence in fighting tooth decay, flossing is very important too and should be part of a daily routine. Because the the spaces between teeth are very narrow, food becomes easily trapped, and hence bacteria forms. This area is where cavities are most common, and the correct manner of removing foods from here is flossing.
Mouthwash is also an essential part of good dental hygiene. It has an anti-bacterial action as well as freshening breath. The anti-bacterial action fights the bacteria left in the mouth after brushing and flossing, further reducing the chances of decay. Some people do not like the taste of mouthwash but there is such a large choice that there is something to suit everyone's taste.
Avoiding tooth decay can be quite simple, just try to avoid all the culprits. Try to remove as much sugar from ones diet as possible, not forgetting that a lot of foods have hidden sugars. Do not take fluoride tablets as it is present in most water supplies, and also in found in toothpaste. Too much fluoride can be as harmful as too little. Don't smoke as this has been found to increase the risks of tooth decay. Last but not least, not brushing and flossing teeth are the main contributors to cavities.
If we all followed these guidelines and looked after our teeth properly then our chances of cavities are greatly reduced. We must not forget the other effects of bad dental hygiene, bad breath, pain, discomfort and gum disease.
Article Source: http://www.search-raven.com
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