Tooth Decay, The Facts
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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.
The name of this harmful bacteria is "Streptococcus Mutans". The occurrence of decay does not happen overnight, it can take quite a long time as the outside layer of the tooth (enamel) is hard while the inside is soft. It can take years for the bacteria to attack and wear away the enamel, once this has happened the centre of the tooth is attacked and because of it's texture succumbs to decay 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.
Some people think mouthwash is just for freshening and making our breath smell sweeter. However, mouthwash is another invaluable tool in the fight against tooth decay. It has an anti-bacterial action which helps keep harmful bacteria at bay, hence reducing the chances of acids harming the teeth.
The best way to prevent tooth decay would to eliminate all things responsible for the damage. This is not always easy or practical, but by following a simple routine the chances of decay are greatly reduced. The first thing to do would be to ensure one brushes and flosses at least twice daily. Not doing so is the main reason for tooth decay. Next sugar consumption should be reduced, but be vigilant as a lot of foods have a higher sugar content than one might realise. Today there is no need to take fluoride supplements as this is already introduced into our drinking water supply. Last but not least, avoid smoking. Not only does tobacco stain the teeth it can also increase the chances of tooth decay.
Having a poor dental hygiene routine is what eventually leads to decay and bad breath. If we all learnt how to look after our teeth properly, and followed the advice of our dentists, then we would not need to visit him so often for unpleasant treatments.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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