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From the Doctor Survey Myth & Facts Quiz & Games



CURE AND PREVENTION

PREVENTION OF SOME COMMON DENTAL DISEASES

As per the advice given by doctor Dr. Govila some common dental disease can be prevented by following some simple steps and changing habits Preventing dental disease focuses on the following 3 areas: 1 Controlling bacteria on teeth 2 Making teeth more resistant to decay 3 Changing dietary intake Step one would be controlling dental plaques by disturbing vegetative oral bacteria (free floating) before they organize into mature colonies. These mature colonies (dental plaque) stick to the teeth, absorb sugars from food eaten and give off acids which are the byproduct of their metabolism. The acids attack hard tooth structures, removing calcium from the outer crown surface (enamel), the outer root surface (cementum) and the inner tooth structure (dentin). Simply put, this is the dynamic of cavity formation. Bacterial byproducts also attack the gum tissues and cause inflammation, swelling, bleeding, and tartar accumulation above and below the gum line. Left to continue, the attack progresses and the bone that holds the teeth firmly in the jaw begins to erode. Over time, teeth can get loose and be lost. Another serious side effect is the entry? of oral bacteria into the blood stream lodging in plaques that collect and block arteries in the heart, neck and other organs of the body. These plaques can be life threatening if they break free and lodge in an organ and cut off blood supply. Step two would be making existing tooth structure more resistant to attack from acids. This can be done by the use of fluorides in mouth rinses, toothpastes and topical applications at the dental office or at home in specially adapted plastic trays. Dental sealants also help to keep plaque from getting into crevices in tooth surfaces and causing calcium loss. Unfortunately, if decay begins to spread through the softer dentin layer, it must be stopped by physical removal and restoration. The third way we prevent dental disease is by changing our diet. Sugars in foods are the most devastating source of fuel for bacterial plaques, Dietary sugars in the form of sticky candy (caramel, nougat) stick to the teeth for long periods causing accelerated acid attack. Simple sugars in soda and sweetened drinks do their damage a little more slowly. Teeth and oral health can produce clues as to what is going on systemically. What is really called for is a paradigm shift. We need to begin to focus on healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle. Ultimately, what is good for us generally is good for our oral health as well.

	SOME COMMON DENTAL TREATMENTS OF COMMON DENTAL DISEASES

Toothache-Cure	Proper cleaning of the teeth is very essential to prevent tooth decay and consequent toothache. There are many theories on how best to clean the teeth. The consensus of dental opinion however seems to back using a circular motion with the brush, so as to ensure that all dental surfaces are cleaned. One should not be afraid to touch the gums with the brush, as this gentle stimulation improves the blood circulation in the gums.


Filling	A Filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. When a dentist gives you a filling, he or she first removes the decayed tooth material, cleans the affected area, and then fills the cleaned out cavity with a filling material.By closing off spaces where bacteria can enter, a filling also helps prevent further decay. Materials used for fillings include gold, porcelain, a composite resin (tooth-colored fillings), and an amalgam (an alloy of mercury, silver, copper, tin and sometimes zinc).


Root canal treatment	A rubber dental dam is placed and the tooth is then drilled to the pulp area either through the top or the back of the tooth. The actual root canals are measured after some of the pulp has been removed. This is done so that the dentist can clean the entire canal, and so that enough of the filling material will be used to completely fill the canal. All of the diseased pulp in the tooth is removed, and the canal is cleaned out thoroughly with an antiseptic solution. This solution will clean all of the canals within the tooth. The canals are then filled with gutta percha, a flexible plastic material. A temporary filling is then put on top of that. A crown or permanent filling will be done after there has been no sign of infection. Crowns are most common since the root canal procedure weakens the tooth. The crown is usually placed as soon as possible, within a month or less.

Extraction of wisdom teeth	These poorly positioned impacted teeth can cause many problems. When they are partially erupted, the opening around the tooth allows bacteria to grow and will eventually cause an infection. The result: swelling, stiffness, pain and illness. The pressure from the erupting wisdom tooth may move other teeth and disrupt the orthodontic or natural alignment of teeth. The most serious problem occurs when tumors or cysts form around the impacted wisdom tooth, resulting in the destruction of the jawbone and healthy teeth. Removal of the offending impacted tooth or teeth usually resolves these problems. Early removal is recommended to avoid such future problems and to decrease the surgical risk involved with the procedure.

Teeth Whitening	There are embedded stains that have soaked into the teeth. The two worst kinds of these are tobacco stains and coffee stains. They can become quite pronounced. After a lifetime of smoking, your teeth can become a serious shade of brown. Toothpastes and professional cleanings won't remove these. These require a professional tooth whitening treatment. For these treatments, a peroxide gel is allowed to soak into your teeth for a period of time. The gel releases oxygen inside your tooth, which chemically alters the stain and eliminates it.

Bonding	The term bonding is used in dentistry to describe permanently attaching dental materials to your teeth using dental adhesives and a high intensity curing light. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve probably received a dental treatment involving either form of dental bonding: direct composite bonding or adhesive bonding of a restoration (crown, bridge, porcelain veneer, inlay/onlay) that was created in a laboratory or in-office..

Dental Crowns	Dental crowns, also known as “caps,” preserve the functionality of damaged teeth. Crowns may be used to protect a cracked tooth, restore functionality of a tooth with excessive decay, or replace a pre-existing crown. The purpose of a dental crown is to encase a needy tooth with a custom-designed material. Dentists today have a variety of conservative treatment options through which to restore teeth. If possible, these options should be explored and discussed before selecting the full coverage crown.

Dental Bridges	Bridges replace missing teethDental bridges, like implants and partial dentures, are used to replace missing teeth. There are several types of fixed dental bridges (cannot be removed), including conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges and resin-bonded bridges. Typically, conventional and cantilever bridges require shaping of the teeth surrounding a missing tooth. Crowns are then placed on the shaped teeth and attached to an artificial tooth (called a pontic). A resin-bonded bridge requires less preparation of adjacent teeth. It is often used to replace front teeth, provided that the gums are healthy and the surrounding teeth do not have extensive dental fillings.

Dental Implants	Dental implants are artificial tooth replacements that are used to counter tooth loss. The procedure is categorized as a form of prosthetic (artificial replacement) dentistry, though it also falls into the category of cosmetic dentistry as well. Although you have a number of restorative options for the treatment of missing teeth, none have proven to be as functionally effective and durable as implants. In many cases, dental implants may be the only logical choice for the restoration of all necessary functionality of the teeth and supporting structures.

Dentures	Dentures often solve a host of dental problems. LComplete dentures are used to replace missing teeth for people with no remaining teeth. Dentures may also be used for people who have lost several teeth. In this case, the appliance is called a partial denture or an overdenture. Tooth loss may result from periodontal disease, tooth decay, or traumatic injury. It is very important to replace missing teeth. The ill effects of not doing so can be a shift in remaining teeth, an inability to bite and chew properly, as well as a sagging facial appearance, which makes one appear older than they are.

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	Courtsey http://www.mynewsmile.com www.yourdentistryguide.com