Community Health Forum Presents Dental Health and You

Community Health ForumPresents

Dental Health and You

Proper dental care can prevent:

Tooth decayGum diseaseBad breath

6 months

Oral Anatomy

Baby teeth

Babies usually have no visible teeth when they are born

Baby teeth

First teeth begin to erupt at 6 months

An additional pair are added each month– Total of 20 milk

teeth

Baby teeth

Baby teeth begin to fall out around age 6 when your adult teeth start to come in

Baby teeth are usually gone by age 12

Adult teeth

Average adult has 32 teeth

16 on top and 16 on the bottom

Adult teeth

4 incisors – for cutting

food

Adult teeth

2 canines – for tearing

food

Adult teeth

4 premolars – for crushing

and grinding food

Adult teeth

6 molars

– for grinding food

last pair of molars are the wisdom teeth

Tooth Anatomy

Teeth are composed of three principal regions

– Crown: the exposed portion above the gums

Tooth Anatomy

Neck: point where the gums contact the tooth

Root: portion below the gum line

Tooth Anatomy

Inside each tooth is composed of three layers

Tooth Anatomy

Enamel: hardest substance in the body (A)

– To protect the tooth when you chew

Tooth Anatomy

Dentin: calcified connective tissue that is harder than bone (B)

Tooth Anatomy

Pulp Cavity:(C) Contains blood vessels & nerves (D) and the root canal

Filled with pulp(E)

Your teeth are alive!

Oral Disease

Plaque

Plaque is the sticky film

of bacteria that coat

your teeth

These bacteria secrete

acids as a waste

product that can

dissolve enamel

Cavities

Formed when the

enamel is dissolved

by the acid from the

bacteria

– These bacteria

live on sugars

Cavities Cavities must be

drilled first and then filled.

The deeper they penetrate into the tooth, the more difficult the repair.

Plaque Plaque left in place

long enough forms tartar

Tartar provides a permanent home for harmful bacteria

Periodontal disease

Plaque accumulates

forming tartar

A build up of tartar

can lead to disease

of the teeth or gums:

periodontal disease

Periodontal disease

Bacteria begin the

process that

creates toxins

that destroy bone

Periodontal disease

Bone that

recedes from

teeth and does

not come back

Periodontal disease

Tooth loss can occur

Dentures Sometimes the

damage is so bad, the teeth must be removed.

False teeth called dentures will take their place

Signs of periodontal disease

Persistent bad breath

Swollen or shrinking gums

Dental problem to avoid at all costs

Chewing tobacco

Chewing tobacco and your teeth

Contains more sugar than candy

Chewing tobacco and your teeth

Chewing tobacco can lead to:

– periodontal disease

– cavities

– cancer

Oral Hygiene

How to keep your teeth clean

Steps in brushing your teeth

Get a soft brush and toothpaste with fluoride

– Fluoride helps to harden your enamel

Steps in brushing your teeth

Start with brush at 45o angle to gums

Steps in brushing your teeth

Allows bristles to clean under gum line

Steps in brushing your teeth

Continue with a

circular motion over

the fronts of each

tooth

Steps in brushing your teeth

Brush all of your teeth!

Steps in brushing your teeth

Brush inside and back of each tooth

Steps in brushing your teeth

Brush the chewing surfaces

Steps in brushing your teeth

Brush your tongue and roof of your mouth

Steps in brushing your teeth

Brush at least twice a day

Flossing your teeth

Most cavities and

periodontal

disease begin in-

between your

teeth.

Flossing your teeth

Flossing removes

the plaque and food

particles that your

tooth brush cannot

reach.

Steps in flossing your teeth

Take out about 18” of floss

Steps in flossing your teeth

Wrap around middle fingers

Steps in flossing your teeth

Work in between teeth

Steps in flossing your teeth

Form a C shape around each tooth

Steps in flossing your teeth

Move up and down on sides of every tooth

Steps in flossing your teeth

Gums may

bleed at first but

will improve as

you continue to

floss

Steps in flossing your teeth

Floss at least once a day

Good Dental Hygiene

Brush teeth at least twice a day Floss your teeth at least once a day See your dentist twice a year You will have

– healthy teeth– fresher breath– winning smile