What are your teeth made of? What is in that precious white enamel? What is inside your teeth? Teeth play a very important role in our mental and physical health. The function of our teeth not only play a role in allowing speech, but also help us to cut and chew food as the first step in our digestion system.
It is only natural to be curious about what teeth are made of and how they function within our mouth. The root anchors the tooth below the gum’s surface into the jaw bone, while the crown of the tooth extends out past the gum. The outermost hard shiny layer of the tooth is called enamel, and is the hardest substance in the body and functions as a food grinder. 92- 96% of enamel consists of minerals (hydroxyapatite, a phosphate and calcium salt) with the remaining part being water and organic material .
Lying just beneath the hard, shiny enamel surface of every tooth is the dentin layer. This layer of the tooth is composed mainly of calcified bony-like tissue (mostly hydroxylapatite), and like bone it contains collagen, water and other organic components (and is soft in consistency). Throughout the dentin layer are tiny passageways into the deep pulpal layer, connected to the enamel layer – these passages are known as tubules. Unlike enamel, dentin continues to modify throughout a person’s entire life. Dentin can grow or reform in response to a change in tooth conditions, such as tooth decay or attrition.
The innermost layer of the tooth is known as the pulpal layer. This inner sanctum of every tooth consists of nerves and blood vessels. This pulp benefits the teeth in several ways: primarily, the pulp keeps the organic components of the teeth healthy and properly supplied with moisture and nutrients. The pulp also conduces senses such as heat, cold and trauma from the teeth into the body’s nervous system.
The important thing to remember about your tooth structure is that it is subject to change – when bacteria and other substances (like alcohol, smoke or even sugary liquid) is introduced into your oral environment, prompt cleaning (with a toothbrush and floss) is necessary to prevent premature decay. Once decay passes through the enamel layer into the dentin, decay will progress rapidly, even when not easily detectable from visual inspection. Only when the enamel has caved in and broken down does a cavity become visible. If the cavity was not treated early and the underlying dentin layer has already decayed (which can actually extend deep into the pulpal tissue), root canal therapy may be necessary, requiring a post and crown to restore the tooth. Ultimately, prevention is the best solution. Proper home care and regular dental check-ups can detect problems early, and are usually fixed easily.
The American Dental Association (ADA) has given its golden seal to brand name fluoridated toothpastes for their cavity fighting features. It’s no surprise really – topical use of fluoride has been proven to be effective at inhibiting tooth demineralization, promoting remineralization and inhibiting the growth of bacteria associated with tooth decay. Fluoride is marketed in the US as a bone fortifier and is administered at the dentist’s office for nearly all pre-adolescent teeth cleanings. Finally, the idea of fluoridated water may seem like a great thing to add to your new child’s water, because it fortifies teeth – but beware! What isn’t so well known is that the potential toxicity of fluoride is dangerous, and if swallowed in concentrated form or ingested over a longer period of time, it may have potentially damaging side effects.
In 1977, The Institute of Medicine (IOM) specified adequate intakes of fluoride of 0.01 mg/day for infants through 6 months, 0.05 mg/kg/day for children beyond 6 months of age, and 3 – 4 mg/day for adults, to prevent dental caries. Upper limits (UL) of 0.10 mg/kg/day in children less than 8 years old and 10 mg/day for those older than 8 are recommended for prevention of dental fluorosis. Similar levels have been endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA, 1994) and the American Dietetic Association (ADA, 2000). What does this all mean? Fluoride has an affinity for calcified tissues. The trace amount of daily intake of fluoride is beneficial, but too much of it can result in patchy or mottled looking teeth, known as dental fluorosis (or brittle bones, known as skeletal fluorosis). Studies are needed for health researchers to investigate the relationship between intake levels and human health. 75% of our daily fluoride intake is from water or beverages, like tea and juices.
The fluoride content of a water supply is often described by the term ‘parts per million’ (ppm). 1 ppm = 0.1 milligrams of fluoride per 100 milliliters of water. About 1 ppm seems to be the optimal level of fluoride for a drinkable water supply; a litre of such water would provide 1 milligrams of fluoride. At 2 ppm, mottling of tooth enamel may occur. The actual condition of ‘fluorosis’ or excessive deposition of fluoride in bones is only present after prolonged consumption of 20 to 80 milligrams of fluoride per day.
Repeated exposure to fluorine in naturally-occurring forms (such as in fruits and other produce) is one thing, but overexposing your child to fluoridated baby formula (identifiable by needing to add water to the formula) could put your child’s appearance – and bodily health – at risk. The key take-home message for parents is to avoid added fluoridated liquids or even foods of any kind. No level of fluoride is perfectly safe, and ideally, we wouldn’t need to use it at all – however, fluoride’s teeth strengthening properties, when used in proper doses, can be a beneficial additive.
If your child does develop dark-spotted or mottled teeth after getting his or her primary teeth, pay close attention to their diet! Nutrition should be strictly monitored for fluoride ingestion (including toothpaste!) – if so, he or she should have perfectly clear, spotless permanent teeth erupting around age 5. Experts also agree that it is a good idea to test the water from your home water lines, to see if it is overly fluoridated. Simple take-home tests are available from your local water or health bureau, or can often give past and current fluoride level readings. Do your research to protect your child’s and your health.
It might surprise you to learn that over 20 million individual teeth are extracted from American mouths every year – the devastating news is that many of these extractions could have been avoided. Once teeth “pass the point of no return,” costly implants or other techniques must be used to restore a person’s smile or chewing function properly – and if said person is unable to afford proper treatment, their missing teeth may cause subsequent dental problems or humiliation and devastating blows to his or her self-esteem, even harming job security, depending on what career path said person has taken.
The sad fact of the matter is that less than 10% of people suffering from tooth pain or other signs of future tooth loss ever see a dentist (or dental professional); because nearly all tooth loss is preventable, this is simply unacceptable! Dental phobia, the fear of being judged by a dentist or financial troubles are often contributing factors in why most people suffering from tooth pain never see a dentist, but the consequence of delaying (or avoiding all together) a dental check-up often results in edentulism (missing one or more teeth). Worst of all, oral health problems are systematic (meaning they can affect other systems or parts of the body), and problems grow with time, making the need to see your dentist that much more urgent if you are suffering from tooth pain.
Of course, tooth loss in rare incidences could be due to injury or genetic problems, mainly caused by poor oral hygiene, bad oral habits leading to tooth and gum disease and eventually tooth loss. For starters, brushing and flossing twice daily and after meals is essential! When food particles are left behind embedded between tooth crevices, bacteria begins a destructive process which eats away at your teeth and gum. Secondly, eating sugary, carbohydrate-laden foods and drinking sugary beverages [frequently] without prompt proper care can erode the enamel on your teeth, making you more prone to tooth loss and gum disease. Without timely dental care, these habits will lead to an untreatable situation and inevitable tooth loss. To prevent all that unpleasantness (and the costly consequences of tooth loss), the best solution is prevention. Prevention means having a terrific home care program, proper diet and habit and getting your regular dental cleanings and check ups every year. When the problem is small (or in a earlier stage of deterioration), problems are much easier to correct and restore. To the end the effort is all worthy, and having a healthy mouth is truly the foundation of good physical health (you can eat and digest healthy, high fibrous food) and mental health (self esteem and being able to smile with confidence)!
In the current recession, unemployment rates are at all time highs! It’s a scary prospect to be faced with possible job loss, but especially in professions where appearance is key (like business), your teeth can make or break a first impression. Just as you wear a suit to appear professional, tidy and attractive, having a great set of teeth will accent the professional, attractive winning smile on your face. The people businessmen encounter every day (colleagues, clients and the like) are constantly evaluating the people they work with. Your job just may get that extra boost of security with a clean, healthy and brilliant smile.
A healthy smile could secure your job!
According to a study recently completed by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), men are less likely to visit the dentist than their female counterparts. Nearly 45 percent of respondents felt that men don’t see a need to go to the dentist, and about 30 percent of those polled reported that men may not visit the dentist because they are afraid or embarrassed to go. This disturbing trend of not visiting the dentist could not only have devastating effects on one’s teeth and oral health, but on their professional well-being and livelihood!
“In my practice, more men are coming in and requesting bleaching, veneers and bonding,” says AGD spokesperson J. Nick Russo, Sr., DDS, FAGD. “Many have noticed the positive effects from a colleague’s improved smile and realize that a great smile has a lot of value in the business world.” A poorly cared-for smile not only looks bad, but portrays an image of uncleanliness and sloth. “Can a person who doesn’t take care of his teeth, of himself, take care of my portfolio?” This is a question that may be asked in the minds of the people you work with and the people you work for!
As the job market becomes more and more competitive, employers are constantly looking at ways to differentiate potential candidates for positions, and a healthy smile is a great way to make a great first impression. Existing employees are also facing tough competition with young grads who have been raised in households emphasizing the importance of oral health more so than past generations – so what are you waiting for? A healthy and beautiful smile will improve your overall health, your image and your self confidence – it could even improve your job security!
Have you ever thought “when I grow into my golden years, I’ll never smile – my teeth will have fallen out!” It should be common knowledge that teeth do not fall out naturally as part of the aging process, quite the contrary! Teeth are lost in seniors primarily due to poor oral hygiene, resulting in tooth and gum disease. If seniors properly take care of their teeth and maintain regular check ups with their dentist, their teeth will be healthy and strong throughout their entire lives!
It’s no surprise that senior oral health is a top priority and concern for dental professionals across the United States – senior citizens are the fastest growing demographic due to the baby boomer generation, and will soon make up the largest age group in the country! For such a big group, it would seem common sense that dentists are seeing increasing numbers of senior patients, but this is sadly not true. “Seniors often take long absences from seeing the dentist,” says AGD spokesperson Nick Russo, DDS. “Sometimes they stop caring as much because they’re not out in the public very much, and they think oral hygiene doesn’t matter.” I have even had patients in their 80s and 90s who have even received orthodontic treatment (braces)! A person is never too young.
The truth of the matter, however, is that oral health matters just as much for seniors as it does for middle aged people and even young adults! Deteriorating oral health in old age is a choice, not a factual occurrence – and can be prevented rather easily. A person’s smile is the gateway to their heart, and whether that person is 15 or 115, that smile defines who you are. Keep it beautiful! The most important step for seniors (or their children or caretakers) to remember is that oral health is not a luxury – declining oral health is not purely aesthetic, and systemic problems can arise due to declining oral health. For example, genetic links between gum disease and heart disease have been proven to exist. Be sure to schedule biannual (twice yearly) dental checkups and cleanings. Not only are these appointments important for cleaning the teeth and gums beyond what a person can do at home, these appointments are essential in identifying poor habits, developing oral health problems and even cancer screenings.
After a biannual checkup plan has been cemented, it is key to remember to brush and floss, for two minutes, after every meal. If brushing and flossing is not occurring after meals, food particles turn into bacteria which destroy enamel and gum tissue. Also, stay away from sodas (diet or otherwise!), candy and other sugar-laden foods and drinks. Water or tea would be a much healthier substitute. Extend your beauty and your life by taking your oral health seriously. Your teeth and gums will take care of you, if you take care of them!
Has the global credit crunch put its vice grip on your life? Whether you are hurting in these tough financial times or not, stress is a factor many people have a hard time escaping, and with stress comes habits which can be potentially damaging to your oral health. Cleaning your teeth twice daily with floss and your tooth brush is no doubt important, especially after meals, but what else can you do to keep your mouth clean and healthy in a stressful climate?
Lower stress levels will benefit your oral health!
The global economic crisis has no doubt taken its toll on Americans and global citizens alike, whether that toll is financial stress, family burdens or career changes. Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking are among the most common de-stressers in popular American culture, and although these practices may temporarily relieve some of your mental tension, they can create serious problems in your mouth. I have previously discussed the dangers of alcohol in the mouth (and its tendency to increase one’s likelihood of developing oral cancer) as well as the respiratory , cardiovascular and general connective tissue problems associated with smoking cigarettes, but stress often leads to a combination of bad habits and bad oral hygiene.
The best way to avoid declining oral health, of course, is to limit or substitute activities which can damage your health, like smoking and drinking. However, if you find this to be too difficult to overcome (especially in a recession when no job is 100% secure), at least stay vigilant with your daily oral hygiene routine. Brush and floss after every meal, and after drinking or smoking. The idea of brushing your teeth after having a drink may not be appetizing at first, but the acidity from the alcohol will erode your precious teeth away! Keeping up on your oral hygiene routine could also help de-stress your financial life as well: taking care of your mouth can lead to reduced cavity occurrences, less sensitivity, and fewer overall dental problems which will save you money in the long run.
Finally, besides having a healthier diet and an optimistic outlook, regular exercise will help keep yourself in good shape! Keep up your teeth cleanings and check-ups – these are crucial. If you are overdue on a dental cleaning, schedule a visit now! Visiting your dental professional is key in identifying problem areas in your hygiene routine, possible cavities or severe night grinding (which causes excessive wear of your teeth (or other issues)) are usually undetectable without professional consultation. Early detection and preventive measures will prevent costly repair work down the line!
Hookah smoking is a popular activity for the young and old alike, and has even been gaining popularity in metropolitan city centers: hookah lounges are very popular among residents and college students. The Mediterranean past time of smoking fruit-flavored tobacco (known as shisha) out of a water bong is safer for the lungs than traditional cigarette smoke (as the smoke is filtered through water and ice chambers), but does this smoke harm the oral health as normal cigarette smoke does?
Hookah smoke is damaging to your teeth.
Unfortunately, there is no good news for Hookah smokers. Although the benefits to a water hookah’s filtration have been debated, hookah smoke contains the same toxins as cigarettes which can cause increased blood pressure and risk for heart attack, as well as impaired liver function. In addition to these detractors, hookah smoke is no healthier for your mouth than common cigarettes. Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm studied 262 adults in Saudi Arabia (where hookah smoking is extremely common and culturally condoned) to test this hypothesis – the group was made up of both exclusively cigarette smokers and exclusively hookah smokers, as well as smokers who partook in both forms of smoking.
After an extended period of observation, 20% of the group was found to have signs of gum disease – 30% of hookah smokers and 24% of cigarette smokers were affected by these symptoms. While other factors like age and diet were taken into account, the study concluded that regular hookah smokers are five times more likely than non-smokers to develop gum disease, whereas cigarette smokers were 4 times more likely to develop gum disease. This information might actually suggest that hookah smoke is more dangerous than cigarettes to your oral health! The bottom line is that any form of smoke – whether it is from a cigarette or a water pipe – is harmful to your body and your mouth. Gum disease is only the beginning of long-term systemic problems that occur with smokers, and can lead to tooth deterioration, tooth loss and eventually oral cancer (which is usually detected late, quickly becoming deadly). Curbing your smoking habits and substituting them with healthier living patterns will help you in the long run.
It’s a privilege to be a mother – just ask Angelina Jolie! The joys of being a new mother also come with lots of new responsibilities. We must learn about how to care for our babies properly – besides love and cuddling! Safety, nutrition, physical and intellectual development and dental care are often overlooked. Even two of my nephews had suffered from rotten baby teeth (from baby bottle syndrome)!
Once the exciting jouney of pregnancy begins, your doctor will start you on prenatal vitamins. Essentially, these supplements help curb any vitamin or mineral deficiencies you may have as to properly foster the development of your fetus. Folic acid, calcium and iron are among the most important contents of these vitamins, and they are important in building your child’s first set of teeth! Although an infant’s teeth don’t start emerging until the age of approximately 5-6 months, proper development of those teeth are necessary from womb development so that when the teeth do emerge, they are strong and healthy!
Once your child’s primary teeth have begun to emerge, it is important to take good care of them. Clean new baby teeth with a damp wash cloth to wipe them free of food after feeding, and have the child drink some water to further wash down the mouth. Not only do primary teeth help a child eat and speak, but they hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth to develop.
As previously mentioned, it is extremely important to prevent baby bottle syndrome – rotten baby teeth which occurs when the baby falls sleep with a bottle of milk or juice in his or her mouth. Fermentable liquids can pool around a child’s teeth, leading to acidity and bacteria buildup in the mouth which can rot baby teeth quickly. These teeth are too soft to resist erosion and tooth decay. Once the decay process stars, it can soon progress to the pulp tissues and your poor baby would suffer from toothaches and infections – it might even affect the tooth buds of permanent teeth. So, once your child’s teeth emerge into the mouth, do not let your baby fall asleep with a bottle in its mouth (unless it is only water)!
Finally, it is great idea to start good oral hygiene and diet habits early! Never ever give your baby soda or soft drinks! The sugar and acid content in these drinks will erode your child’s teeth and start bad habits that can be difficult to break. Also try to avoid sugary carbohydrates and candies! Once there are several baby teeth present, wiping teeth with a damp cloth should be replaced with actual brushing with a soft-bristled brush. By the time your child is potty trained, it’s about time to start learning about brushing their teeth. Allowing your child to brush their own teeth holding a child friendly toothbrush (while you direct the handle) is a great way to start good oral hygiene habits! It will be parent’s responsibility to assist in brushing of the teeth until they enter elementary school, which is when they should have the maturity and manual dexterity to handle it themselves. If you rely on a nanny or caretaker, make sure to instill this information to them.
Regarding further information on dental home care, please refer to our other postings or submit your questions, I will address your specific issue or ask your dental professional!
Counterfeit Toothbrushes? You’ve heard of counterfeit DVDs and handbags, but toothbrushes? Believe it or not, brand name toothbrushes are a hot commodity, and some unethical business people are trying to bank on naive consumers. So be careful what you buy and what you use for your dental health.
Watch out for counterfeit brushes!
In February, grocery stores and pharmacies across Ottawa were surprised to find their suppliers had been conned into buying massive shipments of fake Colgate toothbrushes, and they were supplied to the stores to be bought by general public . The brushes that were affected include the Colgate Massager, Colgate Navigator, Oral B Classic 40, Oral B Contura and Colgate 360. These toothbrushes were not made by Colgate! Canadian health officials have released the following statement: “If an imitation is suspected, consumers should stop using them immediately, as the quality, safety and effectiveness of counterfeit products cannot be assured.”
It is true that most of the burden to check for false brushes is on the back of the retailer, but it is still important to be vigilant about your toothbrush – only buy from reputable dealers (like big chain grocery stores) and if your brush looks suspicious – jagged packaging, poorly printed logos or something similar, take it back to the store from whence it came. A counterfeit toothbrush is not made to the same quality control standards as true brand-name brushes: counterfeit brushes (which usually originate in China) have been known to have bristles which fall out quickly, leading to throat irritation and, in a more extreme case, a possible choking hazard for young mouths. A toothbrush’s quality can be measured by specific features such as a well designed handle and thorough rows of columns of properly spaced tufts of end-rounded bristles.
Genuine Colgate toothbrushes will have instructions and labeling printed in English and French only, and should say “Distr. by/par: Colgate-Palmolive Canada Inc” on the packaging. In addition, the Colgate logo should be embossed into the toothbrush handle itself, just under the brush head. These counterfeit brushes have not been detected in the United States as of yet, but due to the globalization of most large corporate supply chains (including those of Proctor & Gamble, the parent company of Colgate), these brushes could easily find their way into American grocery stores and convenience shops. Be vigilant about your toothbrush purchases to ensure you are using a high quality brush – you can only clean your mouth properly with the proper tools, and a genuine toothbrush is an important one!
Do you enjoy scuba diving? Deep sea exploration is certainly a fun and exciting sport, especially in an exotic location! Before any big diving trip, most enthusiasts gear up on wetsuits, goggles, oxygen tanks and other equipment, but have you ever thought that mouth piece you’re wearing to get your oxygen can cause you dental problems?
This person was properly fitted for her mouthpiece!
Scuba diving is a sport enjoyed by over 4 million people a year, and if you dive, get yourself a proper fitting mouth piece to prevent jaw, teeth and gum problem! If you have a mouthpiece that is not fitting right for you plus the pressure changes from diving, you could suffer from what’s known as “diver’s mouth syndrome,” a painful condition caused by a ill-fitting mouthpiece that irritate your mouth, or you have been clenching your jaw very hard combined with the drop in air pressure as you explore beneath the ocean’s surface.
The mouthpiece that regulates oxygen flow from your oxygen tank to your lungs not only delivers fresh air, but it protects your teeth while diving. The tendency to clench your teeth while diving is very common, and because most standard scuba-diving mouthpieces will not really fit your mouth perfectly, the mouthpiece tends to put unnecessary pressure on the gum and jawbone. So biting hard into the mouthpiece, your gum could be full of lacerations and you could suffer from jaw joint pain or toothache as well after your trip is finished. If the pain lasts for over several days, you could even have a TMJ problem, which will take time to recover.
The best prevention is to make sure you are in good dental health before the trip, and to visit your dental professional who can evaluate how well your mouthpiece fits. Also, if you have recently undergone orthodontic treatment or have an extracted tooth (or temporary fillings), you must be extra careful and see your dentist before diving! Enjoy the under water world and be safe!
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? What is inside your teeth? Teeth play a very important role in our mental and physical health. The function of our teeth not only play a role in allowing speech, but also help us to cut and chew food as the first step in our digestion system.
