building a beautiful smile - eye-exercises-for-good-vision.com · for periodontitis the dentist...

Building A Beautiful Smile !

Your teeth and gums are important. Without them, you

will find it difficult to eat, speak or even smile confidently.

Yet, they are often not given proper care.

Neglecting good oral hygiene puts you at risk of

oral diseases.

These can be painful and uncomfortable.

Oral diseases can be prevented with

simple care and attention.

How Can You Develop A Beautiful SMILE ?

ee how oral diseases can develop and damage your

teeth and gums.

ake simple changes to your daily oral habits to protect

your teeth and gums.

nvest in good oral health practices of brushing, floss-

ing and regular dental visits.

earn how oral diseases can be prevented and treated.

nsure that you take good care of your teeth and gums.

SSSSS

MMMMM

IIIII

LLLLL

EEEEE

DENTAL PLAQUE

Dental plaque is a sticky film of saliva, food particles and bacteriawhich forms on our teeth.

What Can Dental Plaque Lead To?

If not removed by brushing and flossing, dental plaque cancause serious problems in the mouth.

How Can Dental Plaque Be Removed?

Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly each day are simpleand effective ways of removing dental plaque.

THE ROOT OFTHE ROOT OFTHE ROOT OFTHE ROOT OFTHE ROOT OF ORAL DISEASE ORAL DISEASE ORAL DISEASE ORAL DISEASE ORAL DISEASE

Problems caused by dental plaque

1

When dental plaque is not removed daily, it will harden to formdental calculus or tartar. Calculus is hard, rough and usuallyyellow or brown. The hard surface of the calculus makes iteven easier to trap more dental plaque on the teeth.

Where Is Dental Calculus Commonly Found?

Dental calculus is commonly found behind the lower front teethand on the outer surfaces of the upper back teeth.

How Can Dental Calculus Be Removed?

Dental calculus cannot usually be removedby brushing as it sticks well to the teeth.It can only be removed by a dentistwith special dental instruments.

Scaling cleans the teeth aboveand below the gumline to removedental calculus from these areas.

Tooth decay and gum disease arecommon oral diseases caused bydental plaque.

Scaling removes dental

calculus from above and

below the gumline.

2

THE ROOT OFTHE ROOT OFTHE ROOT OFTHE ROOT OFTHE ROOT OF ORAL DISEASES ORAL DISEASES ORAL DISEASES ORAL DISEASES ORAL DISEASES

What Happens If Dental Plaque Is Not Removed?

3

TOOTH DECAY

How Does Tooth Decay Develop?

Tooth decay or dental caries is the gradual destruction of thetooth .

It develops when bacteria in dental plaque act on the sugars inthe mouth. When this happens, harmful acids are producedthat create a cavity or hole in the tooth.

TOOTH DECAYTOOTH DECAYTOOTH DECAYTOOTH DECAYTOOTH DECAY

Tooth decay on

the outer layer of

the tooth (enamel)

Usually, tooth decay at this stage is

painless and is easily unnoticed.

Enamel

Gum

Pulp

Bone

A healthy tooth.

Dentine

Tooth decay has reached the pulp

A painful toothache is usually felt.

4

The Signs Of Tooth Decay

••••• A cavity or hole on the tooth. The cavity traps foodeasily on the tooth surface.

• A sensitive feeling from the tooth.

••••• An uncomfortable and painful toothache.


Tooth decay affecting

the dentine

Tooth decay can progress to the

dentine. The cavity becomes big-

ger. Pain may also be felt.

5

How You Can Prevent Tooth Decay ?

••••• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoridatedtoothpaste * – once in the morning and once beforesleeping.

••••• Floss your teeth at least once a day, before sleeping.

••••• Limit sweet foods and drinks to main meals.

••••• Visit the dentist at least once a year.

* Children should not use adult toothpaste. For children below the age of six, use only a pea-sized amount of children’s toothpaste.

How The Dentist Can Help You Prevent Tooth Decay ?

••••• Fissure SealantsThe chewing surfaces of the back teeth trap bacteriaand food easily. They are also difficult to clean. Thedentist can place protective plastic coatings – fissuresealants – over these surfaces to prevent tooth decay.

••••• Fluoride ApplicationThe dentist can apply fluoride to the tooth surface toprevent tooth decay. Fluoride can also reverse the earlystages of tooth decay.


6


Tooth-coloured fillings

for front teeth

••••• CrownsSometimes, there is extensive loss of tooth structuredue to tooth decay. Fillings cannot be used to restoresuch teeth and so crowns are used. Crowns can bemade of porcelain, metal or a combination of both.

How is Tooth Decay Treated?

••••• FillingsSilver amalgam fillings are commonly used for the backteeth while tooth-coloured materials are used for thefront.

Amalgam fillings

for back teeth Cavities on front teeth

Tooth decay


7

••••• Root Canal TreatmentIf the tooth decay is not detected and treated early,it may progress to the deepest part of the tooth – thepulp. When this happens, the tooth may die. Rootcanal treatment is an alternative to extraction fortreating dead teeth.

A simple filling or crown isused to restore the tooth.

Amalgamfilling

The root canals are filled up.

Rootfilled

Fine instrument and disinfectingsolutions are used to clean the

root canals of the tooth.

Fineinstrument

Rootcanalcleaned

8


••••• Dentures, Bridges and Implants Sometimes, teeth are so badly decayed that they have to be extracted. The missing teeth can be replaced with a denture, bridge or an implant.

Dentures, made either of plastic or metal, replacemissing teeth and can be removed from the mouth.

Bridges are similar to dentures except that they arepermanently cemented to the adjacent teeth.

Partial dentures Full dentures

An implant in place

Implant

Implants are recent methods of replacingmissing teeth. It involves placing titaniumscrews into the gums. These screws actas the roots for artificial teeth to beplaced on them.

9

GUM DISEASE GUM DISEASE GUM DISEASE GUM DISEASE GUM DISEASE

GUM DISEASE

GINGIVITIS

Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. It occurs when den-tal plaque builds up over the teeth. The bacteria in dental plaqueproduce poisonous substances which cause the gums to swell.

Expectant mothers are more likely to experience gingivitisbecause of the hormonal changes that take place duringpregnancy.

Diabetes may also weaken the ability of the immune systemagainst bacteria and so diabetics are more likely to have gumdisease.

The Signs of Gingivitis

• Red and swollen gum• Bleeding gums even on gentle

brushing• Bad breath

Gingivitis - red and swollen gums

10

PERIODONTITIS

Periodontitis is a more serious form of gum disease. It mayresult if gingivitis is not treated.

The bacteria in dental plaque continue to destroy the boneand other tissues supporting the teeth. Soon, a hole orpocket develops between the tooth and the gums. Severeperiodontitis can cause the teeth to be lost.

The Signs of Periodontitis

• Red and swollen gums• Bleeding gums• Pockets in gums• Loose teeth• Large spaces between

the teeth• Persistent bad breath

GUM DISEASE GUM DISEASE GUM DISEASE GUM DISEASE GUM DISEASE

Periodontitis with loss of gums

Ph

oto

co

urt

esy

of S

ing

ap

or e

Den

tal

Hea

lth F

ou

nd

atio

n

11

GUM DISEASEGUM DISEASEGUM DISEASEGUM DISEASEGUM DISEASE

Treating Gingivities and Periodontitis

Early gingivitis can be easily treated with careful brushing andflossing of the gums and teeth at home. Visit your dentist tolearn the correct methods of brushing and flossing. Over time,the gums will heal.

Dental calculus traps more dental plaque around the teeth andgums. If there is dental calculus below your gums,the dentistcan remove it by scaling your teeth.

For periodontitis the dentist will help you clean the area deepbeneath the gums to remove all the dental calculus and dentalplaque. This is called root planing. This provides a thoroughcleaning of the infection below any gumline.

Prevention Is Less Painful Than CurePrevention Is Less Painful Than CurePrevention Is Less Painful Than CurePrevention Is Less Painful Than CurePrevention Is Less Painful Than CureRegular brushing and flossing every dayRegular brushing and flossing every dayRegular brushing and flossing every dayRegular brushing and flossing every dayRegular brushing and flossing every day

will keep oral diseases away!will keep oral diseases away!will keep oral diseases away!will keep oral diseases away!will keep oral diseases away!

Preventing Gingivitis and Periodontitis

••••• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoridatedtoothpaste – once in the morning and once beforesleeping.

• Floss your teeth at least once a day, before sleeping.

• Visit the dentist at least once a year.

12

OTHER COMMON ORAL PROBLEMSOTHER COMMON ORAL PROBLEMSOTHER COMMON ORAL PROBLEMSOTHER COMMON ORAL PROBLEMSOTHER COMMON ORAL PROBLEMS

X-ray of impacted wisdom tooth

WISDOM TEETH

Wisdom teeth are found at the ends of the upper and lowerrows of teeth. They are the last of the adult teeth to appear inthe mouth from about 18 years old. There are usually fourwisdom teeth – two in the upper jaw and two in the lower.

Sometimes, the wisdom teeth do not erupt at all. They remainin the jaw bones. If there is enough space for the wisdom teethto erupt, they will erupt normally in the mouth just like theother adult teeth. When there is lack of space, wisdom teethcan become impacted (trapped).

13


Problems With Impacted Wisdom Teeth

• Gum Infection and Tooth DecayFood and bacteria get trapped around impactedwisdom teeth and cause the gums to becomeinfected and swollen.The swollen gums can bevery painful.

Tooth decay can also affect the wisdom tooth and themolar next to it.

• PainImpacted wisdom teeth can cause pain.The pain cansometimes be felt in the head and neck.

Treatment of ImpactedWisdom Teeth

It is always advisable to visit adentist. The dentist will thentake an X-ray to determine theposition of the wisdom teeth andthe need to remove it. Impactedwisdom teeth usually require aminor surgery to remove them.

14


Treatment of ImpactedWisdom Teeth

It is always advisable to visit adentist. The dentist will thentake an X-ray to determine theposition of the wisdom teeth andthe need to remove it. Impactedwisdom teeth usually require aminor surgery to remove them.

BAD BREATH

Bad breath or halitosis is a common problem. It can beembarrassing and unpleasant.

What Causes Bad Breath ?

• Foods that you eatStrong smelling foods (e.g. onions, garlic, fish) causean unpleasant odour to linger in the breath.

• Poor oral hygieneTeeth and gums which are not well cleaned daily cancause food debris and unpleasant smelling bacteria toremain in the mouth.

• Oral diseasesUntreated tooth decay and gum disease can also causebad breath.

• Dry mouthSaliva cleanses the mouth and removes bacteria which

cause strong smells. Reduced saliva in the mouthmakes it difficult to remove bacteria which cause strongsmells.

• SmokingTobacco can cause an unpleasant smell in the breath.

15


What Can I Do To Prevent Bad Breath ?

• Keep your teeth and gums clean with regular brushingand flossing. Also clean the tongue with either a toothbrush or tongue scraper. This will help remove thebacteria and food particles trapped at the back of thetongue.

• Drink water regularly to keep your mouth moist.

• Visit your dentist to see if the bad breath is due to anoral condition, otherwise it may be a sign of a medicalproblem.

16

TIPS TO HELP YOU SMILE FOR LIFE !TIPS TO HELP YOU SMILE FOR LIFE !TIPS TO HELP YOU SMILE FOR LIFE !TIPS TO HELP YOU SMILE FOR LIFE !TIPS TO HELP YOU SMILE FOR LIFE !

Prevention is always better than cure. Good oral hygiene isyour best defence against oral disease, so start practising itnow.

The table on the next page summarises the “Dos” and “Don’ts”for you to smile for life with a set of healthy teeth and gums.

TIPS TO HELP YOU SMILE FOR LIFE !TIPS TO HELP YOU SMILE FOR LIFE !TIPS TO HELP YOU SMILE FOR LIFE !TIPS TO HELP YOU SMILE FOR LIFE !TIPS TO HELP YOU SMILE FOR LIFE !

17

DOsDOsDOsDOsDOs

BRUSH YOUR TEETHBRUSH YOUR TEETHBRUSH YOUR TEETHBRUSH YOUR TEETHBRUSH YOUR TEETHat least twice a day,at least twice a day,at least twice a day,at least twice a day,at least twice a day,

once in the morning andonce in the morning andonce in the morning andonce in the morning andonce in the morning andonce before sleeping.once before sleeping.once before sleeping.once before sleeping.once before sleeping.

FLOSS YOUR TEETHFLOSS YOUR TEETHFLOSS YOUR TEETHFLOSS YOUR TEETHFLOSS YOUR TEETHat least once a day.at least once a day.at least once a day.at least once a day.at least once a day.

VISIT YOUR DENTISTVISIT YOUR DENTISTVISIT YOUR DENTISTVISIT YOUR DENTISTVISIT YOUR DENTISTat least once a year.at least once a year.at least once a year.at least once a year.at least once a year.

DON’TsDON’TsDON’TsDON’TsDON’Ts

Do not eat sugary snacks in between meals.

Do not smoke.

building a beautiful smile - eye-exercises-for-good-vision.com · for periodontitis the dentist...

Documents