It’s never too early to start taking care of your little one’s teeth. Proper oral health care should start when 1^st tooth erupts. Follow these guidelines

Just say no to Bottles in bed

Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup filled with milk, formula, fruit juice, or the sweet liquid. The sugar in these beverages can cause cavities in baby’s teeth, leading to ‘Baby bottle tooth decay’ . give your baby a bottle when it is going to sleep, fill the bottle with water instead.

Be sure your baby drinks fluoridated water

By the time your baby is 6 months old, he or she will require some fluoride for healthy teeth. Most babies can get all of the fluoride they need from the water they drink. Keep in mind that bottled water usually doesn’t have fluoride, however if you have questions for fluoride, talk to your dentist.

Clean your baby’s gum

Twice a day, gently wipe your baby’s gum with a wet, clean, soft cloth. You should start doing this even before your baby’s 1^st tooth erupts. The average age is 6 months, but some infants don’t get their first tooth until they are 14 or 15 months old. Some babies see their first tooth when they are as young as 3 months old!

Brush new teeth   

Once the first tooth erupts in, you can clean them using soft, flexible children’s toothbrush and water. Gently brush its first teeth with a tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste .switch to a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste once your child is age 2.

See a Dentist  

Whether it’s the first tooth or first birthday, no matters which happen first –It’s time for your child first dental appointment. Your dentist will examine your child and advice you on any concerns you have, such as thumb sucking .

1.Why should i consider tooth colored Fillings?

Nowadays filling can e natural looking, as well as doing the job they’re meant to do. Many people don’t want silver fillings that show when they laugh or smile.

2.Are they as good as silver amalgam fillings?

White fillings have always been considered less long lasting than silver amalgam fillings .But there are now new materials that are almost as good as silver amalgam. How long a white filling lasts can depend a lot on where it is in your mouth and how heavily your teeth come together when you bite.

3. Is it worth replacing my amalgam filling with white ones?

It is usually best to change fillings only when your dentist decides that an old filling needs replacing .When this happens you can ask to have it replaced with a tooth coloured filling.

4. What are tooth-colored fillings made of?

Mainly it contains glass particles, synthetic resin and a setting ingredient. Here are some of the choices:-

Composites:-The composite resin is about the consistency of modelling clay. In order for the composite to harden, the dentist shines a bright blue light on it. Through a series of chemical reactions, the composite resin hardens into a very strong material that looks like a natural tooth.

Glass ionomer fillings:-They form a chemical bond with the tooth. They may also release fluoride; preventing tooth decay .This type of filling is fairly weak.

Porcelain inlays:-Porcelain can be hard wearing and long lasting, and it can be coloured to match your teeth. This type can be expensive.

Your oral health is more important than you might realize. The compartmentalization involved in viewing the mouth separately from the rest of the body must cease because oral health effects general health by causing considerable pain and suffering and in turn the overall well being.

1)Heart disease:- Studies have shown that people with moderate or advanced gum(periodontal)disease are more likely to have cardiovascular disease or heart disease than those with the healthy gums.

2)Lung Disease:- The same bacteria can also travel to the lungs , causing infection or aggravating existing lung conditions.

3)Organ Transplant:-Organ transplant patients defense system functions poorly due to heavy medication. The patient’s mouth must be completely healthy before and after organ transplantation .All infections of dental origin are potentially fatal when the body’s own defense system is suppressed.

4) Diabetes:- There is also a link between diabetes and gum disease .People with diabetes are more susceptible to gum disease. They should get there oral prophylaxis every six months.

5) Pregnancy:-During pregnancy ,hormonal changes may increase the risk of gingivitis ,or inflammation of the gums. Symptoms include tenderness, swelling and bleeding of gums. Without proper care, these problems may become more serious and can lead to gum disease. Some recent research suggests a link between gum disease and pre-term , low-birth-weight babies. Though findings are inconclusive and further research is needed, we do know the preventive dental care during pregnancy improve both oral and overall health and is safe for both mother and child.

6) Children:- Severe caries detracts from children’s quality of life. They experience pain, discomfort, disfigurement, acute and chronic infections, and eating and sleep disruption.

Visiting a dentist regularly can help you maintain your oral health. A dentist’s exam may defect poor nutrition and hygiene, as well as provide clues to  your overall well-being.

A space maintainer is an appliance that is custom-made by a dentist or orthodontist in acrylic or metal material. It can be either removable or cemented in a child’s mouth. Its purpose is to keep the space open to allow the permanent tooth to erupt and come into place.

Children may need space maintainers if they lose a tooth early or have a baby (primary) tooth extracted due to dental decay. If either is the case, it is important to know the benefits of using a space maintainer and how it can help support your child’s dental health.

Types of Space Maintainers
There are two types of space maintainers for children, removable and fixed.

• Removable – Removable space maintainers are similar to orthodontic appliances and are usually made of acrylic. In some cases, an artificial tooth may be used to fill a space that must remain open for the unerupted tooth.

• Fixed – There are four different kinds of fixed space maintainers: unilateral, crown and loop, distal shoe and lingual.

Are Space Maintainers Always Necessary?

• Not every tooth that is lost too early requires a space maintainer. If one of the four upper front teeth is lost early, the space will stay open on its own until the permanent tooth comes in.
• If you do not take your child to the dentist regularly — at least every six months — a space maintainer can cause problems. This especially can occur if your child does not brush well. The gum tissue in the space can grow over the wire arm, increasing the risk of infection. If that happens, your child’s dentist may have to remove the gum tissue by surgery.
• If the permanent tooth is about to erupt, the dentist may decide not to use a space maintainer unless your child needs braces and space is a critical issue.

Caring for Your Space Maintainer

The space maintainer may feel unusual at first. But after a few days, your child probably will forget about it.

A removable space maintainer with replacement teeth can affect speech until your child gets used to it.

MOUTHWASH is an effective tool in the fight against tooth decay, gingivitis, as well as the promotion of healthy teeth and gums.

Using mouthwash is known to keep breath fresh and avoid the build-up of various bacteria in between the corners of the teeth. There are different types of mouthwashes available in the market such as everyday-care formulas, alcohol-free variants, and herbal blends, all of which are designed to promote oral health, good hygiene and fresh breath.

BENEFITS

• Mouthwash promotes oral health and good hygiene. Some mouthwashes are packed with fluoride to help combat cavities and periodontal diseases.
•  Antiseptic mouthwashes, on the other hand, contains chlorhexidine gluconate, which prevents bacterial growth in the mouth and deals with halitosis and infections.
• Mouthwash aids in post-surgery treatment. There are certain mouthwashes prescribed by dentists that assist in curing inflammation and sores after dental surgery. This type of mouthwash is usually recommended for patients who were advised not to brush their teeth for an extended period of time after surgical procedures.
• Mouthwash can help heal canker sores. Canker sores are ulcers in the mouth, and mouthwash can help deal with the infection.
• Mouthwash can help avoid complications in pregnancy. Mouthwash can prevent periodontal disease, which can lead to premature labors among pregnant women. When bacteria enter the mother’s bloodstream, it would increase inflammatory markers and stimulate contractions. Gargling with mouthwash can help prevent that from happening, because it keeps oral bacteria away.
•  Mouthwashes can be helpful or harmful, depending on how you use it. Generally, mouthwashes are geared towards promoting oral health and fresh breath. But oral health and needs varies from person to person.
• Some people have sensitive gums, others are recovering from surgery, while some simply need a mouthwash for everyday use. In order to make it work to your advantage, consult your dentist and find out which type of mouthwash is suitable for you..!

TOOTH BRUSHING is the act of scrubbing teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Toothbrush cleans only two-thirds of the mouth. So interdental brushes are needed to maintain oral hygiene.

Brushing teeth helps to prevent gum problems and cavities which causes at least one-third of loss of teeth.

Poor dental health is proved to be associated with heart disease and shortened life expectancy.

OBJECTIVES OF TOOTH BRUSHING

The tooth brush is the most effective weapon in the removal of plaque and food

debris.

• To clean teeth and interdental spaces of food remnants, debris and stain etc.
• To prevent plaque formation.
• To disturb and remove plaque.
• To stimulate and massage gingival tissue
• To clean the tongue.

TYPES OF TOOTHBRUSH

•  Manual toothbrushes
• Powered toothbrushes

MANUAL TOOTH BRUSH

The ideal characteristics of a tooth brush can be listed as follows:-

• It should confirm to individual patient requirement in size, shape and texture
• It should be easily and effectively manipulated.
• It should be readily cleaned and aerated, impervious to moisture.
• It should be durable and inexpensive
• Designed for utility efficiency and cleanliness.

The proper brushing technique is to:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
• Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

Brushing your teeth is only a part of a complete dental care routine. You should also make sure to:

• Clean between teeth daily with floss. Tooth decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.

• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge.

Advantages-

1. Long term fixed replacement of missing teeth without cutting adjacent teeth (done for fixed bridges or FPD).
2. Dental implants can restore oral health, form and function of the dentition, improve esthetics.

When you should consider getting dental implants?

Implants can be placed anytime after tooth loss depending upon other factors;

Replacing a single tooth   If you are missing a single tooth, one implant and a crown can replace it.

Replacing Several Teeth   If you are missing several teeth, implant-supported bridges can replace them.

Replacing All of Your Teeth   If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace them.

• Next best thing to healthy, natural teeth. Strong and stable, a dental implant restores a lost tooth so that it looks, feels, fits and functions like a natural tooth. Other options can lead to bone deterioration, and may interfere with eating, smiling, speaking and other activities of everyday life.

• Built to last. Dental implants are a long-term solution.
• Retain your natural face shape, and smile.
• Protect healthy bone.
• Keep your teeth in your mouth – not in a cup. You don’t have to keep your removable dentures in a cup.
• They are in your mouth comfortably.
• Speak easy.
• Eat your favorite foods! Taste and enjoy the foods you love without hesitation. You can bite naturally, eat virtually anything you want and, unlike removable dentures that can feel uncomfortable, you can experience the full taste of the food you eat with dental implants, too.

• Cavities can’t occur in an implant-restored crown, or replacement tooth

• Keep teeth in place – silently.

• Protect your healthy teeth.

• More predictable than other repair and restoration methods.

Ques-Why do we need toothpaste to brush our teeth?

Ans-Toothpaste is a medium which helps to clean our teeth by foaming action and aids in getting rid of bacteria, lodged food particles, debris and stains between the teeth.

Ques- How much toothpaste should be used every day?

Ans-For proper and efficient cleaning of teeth, only a pea sized amount is sufficient.

Ques- Can we use mouthwash instead of a toothpaste?

Ans– No, not at all. Mouthwash can just freshen your breath and has an antibacterial action for a little time but can’t remove the food particles and debris.

Ques-Can we use medicated toothpastes for long term?

Ans-No, medicated toothpastes should be used only after consulting your dentist for specific problem. These should be used till the time they are prescribed for. Otherwise, they can have adverse effects too.

Ques- Choosing a right toothpaste-a dilemma?

Ans– You have to know your teeth in order to pick toothpaste that is right for you.

After all, nobody knows your teeth better than a dentist!

Most importantly, the type of paste you use won’t make much of a difference if brushing technique is not followed.

Ques-Does the color coding on toothpaste signifies the composition?

Ans-No, they’re EYE MARKS/COLOR MARKS which are artefacts in the manufacturing process which help in identifying where product packaging is to be cut or folded.

Ques- What are the best natural alternatives for toothpaste and brush?

Ans– Neem twig(datun), Acacia (kikar/babool) are the best traditional well known natural cleaning aid for teeth from centuries in our culture. Even clinical researches have proven the same.

Ques- Do Whitening toothpastes bleach teeth?
Ans- Whitening toothpastes alone can’t make whiter teeth. They can help in maintaining the white smile achieved after in-office bleaching or take away home-bleaching kit.

Ques- Which brand of Toothpaste is best?

Ans– All the toothpaste brands are similar. You are safe to brush with quality IDA-approved standard toothpaste to maintain your teeth.