Things you should must know about your teeth & its care!

First of all let’s know what exactly the tooth are, which almost all the human being have not once but twice in their lives. So, Teeth(singular: tooth) is one of the hard tissues which are present in our oral cavity (Mouth) other than the jaw bone. Tooth consists of two parts – Crown and Root. The crown (clinical crown) is the visible part of tooth in the mouth, the extent of which may increase with age and disease. The root portion is not visible in the mouth of a person who has a healthy gum.

        Humans have two sets of teeth in their lifetime. The first set of teeth to be seen in the mouth is called as the primary or deciduous dentition. It begins in the uterine life at about 14 week and complete at about 3yrs after birth. After about 6yrs of age these teeth starts shedding and get completely replaced by another set of teeth called as the secondary or permanent dentition. The general function of teeth are-

• Eating and biting of foods
• Chewing and grinding of foods
• Speaking (pronunciation of words)
• Maintain the esthetics of face

On the basis of function they perform teeth are classified in four types- Incisor, Canine, Premolar and Molar.

Their respective functions are-

Incisor– These are eight in numbers, two pair in upper jaw (maxilla) and two pair in lower jaw (mandible). The functions of these teeth are to cut or bit food.

Canine– These are four in numbers, one pair in upper jaw and one pair in lower jaw. The functions of these are to tear food.

Premolar– These are also eight in numbers, two pair in upper jaw two in lower jaw. The functions of these teeth are to crush the food.

Note: – Premolars are absent in the primary dentition.

Molar– These are eight in numbers in primary dentition in which two pairs are present in each upper and lower jaw and twelve in numbers in the secondary dentition of which three pairs are present in each upper and lower jaw. The function these teeth are to grind the food.

As we come to know different types of teeth and their functions so these are very vital part of our body. So these structures should be well cared to perform their respective functions. Some tips for tooth care are as follow:-

• Brush twice a day, in the morning and at night before bed – use a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles. Gently brush your teeth and along your gum line, making sure to brush each tooth on the all sides i.e. front, back, and top.
• Start tooth brushing from the first tooth – use toothbrushes with a small head and soft bristles. You can also use a wet cloth to wipe over teeth and gums for babies. Only use water to clean your baby’s teeth and gums until they are 18 months of age. Use age appropriate tooth brushes as you get older.
• From 18 months of age, use fluoride toothpaste – use low-fluoride children’s toothpaste for children aged 18 months to six years, and standard fluoride toothpaste for from age six years onwards.
• Avoid sugary, acidic or carbonated (fizzy) foods and drinks – avoid eating sweet and sticky foods, soft drinks, fruit juices, energy drinks and even diet ‘no sugar’ carbonated drinks which can cause tooth decay in excess. If you do have these, it is better to have them at mealtimes rather than between meals.
• Drink plenty of tap water – most of places have fluoridated tap water, which helps in repairing the tooth surface. If your water is not fluoridated (tank water), talk to your dentist about how can you get the right amount of fluoride to protect your teeth.
• Have a regular check-up – regular checkups are important for identifying and treating any issues before they become bigger and harder to treat. There are also a number of treatments which help to prevent disease. It is advisable to visit to your dentist at least every three months.
• Wear an occlusal splint or night guard at night if you have habits such as clenching or grinding of teeth – such habits can cause teeth and fillings to wear down, fracture, sensitivity or even split in half.
• Quit smoking to improve your oral health and general health.

-Devendra Kumar (BDS, Academic Director and Author, MCD)