Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to build up on teeth within a few minutes after eating. If teeth are not cleaned well each day, plaque will lead to tooth decay or gum disease. If plaque is not removed, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar that becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. Plaque and tartar irritate and inflame the gums. By taking good care of our teeth and gums, we can help prevent problems such as tooth decay (caries) and gum disease and bad breath (halitosis).We should also teach your children how to brush and floss from an early age to help them protect their teeth. Healthy teeth are clean and have no cavities. Healthy gums are pink and firm, and do not bleed.
To maintain healthy teeth and gums, following steps should be undertaken :
- Brushing teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing for at least 2 minutes each time. Don’t brush too hard or too often (more than twice a day).
- Flossing at least once per day. It is best to floss after brushing. Flossing removes plaque that is left behind after brushing from between the teeth and on the gums.
- Using fluoride toothpaste. The fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay.
- Replacing our toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or sooner if needed. If you use an electric toothbrush, change heads every 3 to 4 months as well.
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Avoiding sweets and sweetened drinks. Eating and drinking a lot of sweets increases your risk of cavities. If we do eat or drink sweets, brushing our teeth should be done soon after.
- Smoking adversely affects gum health and contributes to extrinsic staining. Smokers have more teeth and gum problems than non-smokers.
- Keeping dentures, retainers, and other appliances clean. This includes brushing them regularly. We may also need to soak them in a cleansing solution.
- Schedule regular checkups with your dentist. Dentists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months for optimal oral health.
- Regular teeth cleaning by a dentist removes plaque that may develop, even with careful brushing and flossing. This is very important for getting to areas that are hard to reach on your own. Professional cleaning includes scaling and polishing. This procedure uses instruments to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. Routine exams may include dental x-rays. Your dentist can catch problems early, so they do not become more serious and expensive to fix.
- Plaque can also build up on the tongue. Not only can this lead to bad mouth odor, but it can lead to other oral health problems. Gentle brushing of tongue after every brushing of teeth is advised.
When to call the Dentist
- Pain in the tooth that occurs for no reason or is caused by food, beverages, brushing or flossing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding from the gums while brushing
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth
- Drifting teeth
Dental Care in Islamic Medical Science
Among the corpus of Islamic medical texts there are few which specially connect medicine and religious law (fiqh). These are the forms of treatment mentioned in basic Islamic texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah. One of them is the usage of Siwak or Miswak, a teeth cleaning twig usually made from the arak tree (Salvadora Persica). “The toothstick is cleansing for the mouth and pleasing to the Lord”, says one of the hadees from the al-Bukhari collection. As a rule, it was used before going to congregational prayer, just after the abolition.
Oral Health and Oral Wellness
Lastly , Oral health is a window to our overall health. The mouth can act as a portal of entry for an infection. Ongoing inflammation in your mouth can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which may lead to more inflammation in other parts of your body, such as the heart. So, keeping good care of our oral health forms an integral part of general well being.
“And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.”
[ The Holy Quran 26:80 ]
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Dr. NIDA FATIMA
B.D.S, M.D.S (Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics)
Consultant Orthodontist
Lovemysmile
Africa Avenue, New Delhi