A visit to a dentist is not only painful but costly as well. However, by following simple oral hygiene routine, one can avoid many problems like dental decay. MANJARI SINGH speaks with dentists to bring you a report
Healthy body also includes healthy teeth. Teeth full of plaque, bleeding gums and sensitive teeth in no way can be considered healthy. “One of the most common dental problems that are seen is dental decay which is also called dental carries which is found in both children as well as adults,” Dr Neeraj Verma, dental consultant with Apollo Hospital, Delhi, says, adding that it all starts with plaque which is contributed by food rich in carbohydrate.
“Plaque is there in everybody’s mouth but it can be cleaned of with proper brushing twice everyday,” Dr Ajay Kakar, a renowned Mumbai-based dentist at the launch event of Oral-B pro-health toothpaste, tells you.
Dr Kakar was speaking at the launch of a revolutionary toothpaste — Oral-B Pro-Health which protects the teeth from cavities, plaque, sensitivity, enamel, tartar, whitening and breath. “People might be brushing their teeth regularly but not many people do so at night. They still don’t realise brushing at night is as important as brushing first thing in the morning,” Dr Kakar explains. A certain kind of bacteria is found in our mouth and when it comes in contact with carbohydrates, cavities are formed.
“Therefore, it is important the one brushes teeth properly twice a day,” Dr Verma advises. When tooth decay is ignored for a long time, small holes form because of the reaction between plaque and acid. The only way to treat this is by doing to a dentist which is not only painful but expensive too. It involves several sittings for root canaling and finally capping. And then there is abscessed tooth too. In this, the gum becomes infected and pus is formed around the tooth. This can lead to other dental problems like bone damage and tissue decay.
Another common problem is periodontitis in which the gums swell and the supporting structure of the teeth becomes loose making them sensitive. The reasons for periodontitis is delay in treating misalignment of teeth. Then there is gingivitis. Symptoms include bleeding gum while brushing and bad breath. The gums become red and if not treated on time, it leads to bigger problems.
The good news is that most of these problems can be avoided by following simple oral hygiene and visiting the dentist regularly. “When it comes to cleaning the teeth, it is all about brushing and the technique that matters and not the toothpaste. Most of the toothpastes have the same ingredients,” Dr Verma states.
Clean & clear