HEALTHY CHOICES: Care of Your Teeth

Ms. Mai

Lawndale High School

Teeth

Unlike many other tissues in your body, your teeth cannot repairs itself when damages or diseased

Strong, healthy teeth are important to your health as well as to your appearance

The Purpose of Teeth

Your teeth prepare food for digestion by cutting and grinding it into pieces small enough for you to swallow

There are four types of teeth in your mouth, each with a different function

1. Incisors2. Canines3. Premolars4. Molars

The 4 Types of Teeth

1. Incisors - sharp front teeth that bite and cut food (the shape is similar to a chisel)

2. Canines - pointed teeth that tear food into smaller pieces (aka eyeteeth)

3. Premolars - flat teeth with double points that tear and crush food

4. Molars - large, flat teeth with several rounded points that grind food into bits

The 4 Types of Teeth

Parts of a Tooth

Each tooth has two main parts: the crown and the root

Crown – the part covered by enamel that you can see above the gum line

Root – the part below the gum line that fits into the jawbone

Tooth Decay

The most common dental problems are tooth decay and gum disease

Tooth decay begins with plaque (food particles, saliva, bacteria) on a tooth

Bacteria then breaks down sugar in the food particles producing an acid that eats into the tooth’s enamel, which eventually becomes a cavity (hole in the tooth’s enamel)

Gum Disease

Gum Disease is caused by plaque or calculus (hardened plaque)

Gums usually become inflamed, swollen, and may bleed easily during brushing

In the later stages, gums will pull back from the teeth and form pockets of pus

Eventually, the disease will destroy bone tissue in the jaw and your teeth will fall out

Leukoplakia

White patches that form on the gums, tongue, lips, or inner cheeks

Leukoplakia may lead to cancer if not treated

Oral Cancer

Sores or lumps in the mouth may be oral cancer

The best way to prevent oral cancer is to avoid tobacco and drinking alcohol

Orthodontic Problems

Orthodontics specializes in correcting irregular teeth (too crowded, turned in, abnormal position)A person with irregular teeth cannot bite, chew, and grind food correctly, and their teeth are difficult to clean thoroughly resulting in possible braces for correction

Wisdom teeth also do not always grow in correctly so surgical removal is sometime necessary

TMJ Problems

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problems happen when your lower jaw connects with the rest of your skull

TMJ problems cause clicking or grinding noises in the joint, headaches, limited joint movement, and soreness or pain when chewing

Learning how to relax your jaw can help ease the symptoms

Caring for your Teeth

Good dental care begins with a healthy diet that contains enough calcium

Calcium is needed to build strong teeth, particularly the outer layer of enamel

Keeping your teeth clean helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease

General Care for your Teeth

Cleaning your teeth removes food particles and bacteria that form plaque

Thorough cleaning involves both brushing to clean the exposed surfaces, and flossing to clean between the teeth and under the gum line

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss once a day

Try brushing after every meal and snack, or at least rinse your mouth with water

General Care for your Teeth

Fluoride (a tasteless chemical that occurs naturally in soil and water) helps prevent tooth decay

When applied to teeth, fluoride make the tooth enamel harder and more resistant to decay

A newer method of decay prevention involves applying a plastic sealant to the chewing surface of teeth

Dental Checkups

Dental checkups are vital for preventing tooth and gum disease

You should have regular checkups once or twice a year, depending upon your dentist

A checkup usually includes a thorough cleaning to remove calculus

Dentists also check for early signs of gum disease and may x-ray the teeth to find problems