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Topics
Dental
Emergencies
Good
Snacks Make You Smile
Gum
Disease
Healthy Teeth and Happy Smiles
Parts
of a Tooth
Pregnancy & Oral Health
Tooth
Brushing
Tooth
Eruptions
Types
of Teeth
Dental
Emergencies
Oral
injuries frequently occur during rowdy and rough play. Fractured
teeth, bitten lips, and broken bones may result from such
activities. Children need to be cautioned on the dangers of
careless play and be aware of oral safety precautions and
practices.
Many
oral injuries occur at the water fountain, on swings, in swimming
pools, on playground equipment, while riding skateboards,
scooters, and bicycles. Chewing objects such as pencils and
paperclips may also cause injury to teeth and gums.
Click
here to review procedures for dental emergencies.
Good
Snacks Make You Smile
How
diet can contribute to tooth decay
- The
more often you eat foods with added or natural sugars, the
greater the chances of developing tooth decay.
- Foods
that contain sugars are less likely to cause tooth decay
if consumed during a meal than if eaten between meals.
- Limit
the number of snacks. Choose snacks that do not contain
sugar and brush as soon as possible.
- Sticky
foods are more likely to cause cavities.
- Remember: When
eaten just before bedtime, snacks can be particularly destructive.
The flow of saliva stops when sleep comes and any bits of
food will remain until brushing and flossing in the morning.
Click
here for a list of good snacks to offer.
Gum
Disease
When
harmful bacteria in plaque is not removed from the teeth it
accumulates, particularly along the gumline. The bacteria
in plaque acts as an irritant causing gingivitis. Gingivitis
is an inflammation of the gum tissue. The gum tissues become
red, swollen and bleed easily. Usually, gingivitis does not
cause severe pain. If not treated, gingivitis will progress
to periodontal disease (pyorrhea).
Periodontal disease affects the gums and destroys the tooth's
supporting structures. Plaque calcifies within 24 hours into
a substance known as calculus (tartar). Calculus forms on
the crown of the tooth and extends below the gumlime. This
calculus may cause the gums to recede, pull away from the
teeth and form pockets. At this point, bone destruction occurs
and teeth may become mobile or loose. Bone destruction cannot
be reversed. However, treatment in a dental office may stop
the progression of the disease. Periodontal
disease is the major cause of tooth loss in people older than
35 years of age.
Healthy Teeth and Happy Smiles
Healthy Teeth and Happy Smiles is a website through the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry, that helps parents find information about keeping their children's teeth healthy and related topics.
Parts
of a Tooth
Teeth are made up of several different parts. The crown is
the portion of the tooth above the gum line which bites, tears
and grinds food. The crown is covered with enamel. Enamel
is the hardest substance in the body. The next layer under
the enamel is dentin. Dentin is very soft. The inner layer
of the tooth is the pulp which contains nerves and blood vessels.
The root is the part of the tooth below the gum line which
helps anchor the tooth in the jawbone. The root is covered
with cementum. The gums are the soft, pink tissues which surround
the teeth and help hold them in place.
Pregnancy & Oral Health
Two Healthy Smiles: Tips to Keep You and Your Baby Healthy
This brochure is designed to educate women about the importance of
oral hygiene and oral health care during pregnancy. Topics include
brushing, flossing, eating healthy foods, and getting dental checkups
and treatment.
Tooth
Brushing
Ideally,
toothbrushing should be done after every meal and snack. But
especially before bedtime. To effectively remove plaque from
the teeth and gums, the following brushing method is recommended.
- Place bristles
on the gumline at a 45 degree angle.
Brush over the teeth and gum gently, in a circular motion.
Do this on both the outside and inside surfaces of the teeth.
- Thoroughly brush
the tops or biting surfaces of the back teeth.
- Brushing thoroughly
should take at least 3 minutes.
- A soft toothbrush
is the best kind of toothbrush to use.
- A toothbrush
should be replaced every 3 months, after being sick or when
the bristles become frayed or bent.
- Parents: Remember
to help your children who are younger than 8 years-old with
their brushing.
Tooth
Eruption
Although
we have only one nose and one heart, we have two sets of teeth.
Primary or baby teeth are the first set; permanent are the
second. There are several differences between the primary
and permanent sets of teeth:
-
The primary teeth are smaller.
-
The primary teeth are whiter.
-
There are fewer primary teeth (20) than permanent (32).
Click
here for a tooth eruption chart of the primary teeth.
Click
here for a tooth eruption chart of the permanent teeth.
Types
of Teeth
There
are several different types of teeth. Each has its own job.
- INCISORS:
8 front teeth 4 on the top and 4 on the bottom. Shaped for
biting and cutting.
- CUSPIDS:
4 teeth located on either side of the incisors. 2 on the
top and 2 on the bottom. Shaped for tearing food.
- BICUSPIDS:
8 located behind cuspids. 4 on the top and 4 on the bottom.
Shaped for crushing food.
- MOLARS:
8 - Double rooted teeth with bumpy chewing surfaces. 4 on
the top and 4 on the bottom. Shaped for grinding food.
Some of the information above was adapted with permission from the DuPage County Health Department and the American Dental Association (ADA).
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