Happy New Year!

As the New Year approaches us with hopes anew, here is to wishing you and your family a wonderful year ahead.

The Composition of a Tooth

How much do you know about your teeth?

Your teeth begin to grow while you're still a baby inside your mother's womb. While they aren't visible until a few years after birth when they "erupt" or come up from within the gums, they are there. Baby teeth, or primary teeth grow in and fall out in the same order and are replaced with permanent, or adult teeth. Your permanent teeth will be the teeth you have for the rest of your life. If you lose an adult tooth, it may be able to be re-attached at the root if you see a dentist immediately. In many cases, a lost permanent tooth means a fake tooth, such as a dental implant will be needed to replace the lost, natural tooth.

Your teeth are able to withstand much wear and tear as well as grinding and pressure. What makes teeth so hard and long-lasting? It likely has something to do with their composition.

Each tooth is made up of enamel, dentin and cementum and each tooth has a dental pulp.

Tooth Enamel

The part of the teeth you're most familiar with is the tooth enamel. This is the hard, translucent, outer covering of the tooth. It is this part of the tooth that cavities can destroy and leave the tooth vulnerable to further decay and disease. The enamel is said to be the hardest and most mineral-packed substance of the body. Tooth enamel is made up of mostly minerals, with some organic compounds and water. The enamel is the thickest (and strongest) at the cusp of the tooth and is weakest along the tooth edges.

As we age, the years of use, abuse and wear and tear, the enamel slowly wears off in what is called attrition.

What is enamel made of? Crystalline calcium phosphate called hydroxyapatite accounts for most of the minerals found in tooth enamel. These minerals give teeth their strength, as well as their brittleness. Enamel also doesn't contain collagen like other parts of the tooth. Tuftelins, ameloblastsins, ameloblenins and enamelins are proteins that help develop enamel.

Dentin

Underneath the enamel is a porous, yellowish material called dentin. It is this material that gives teeth their classic yellow, or preferably white color. Dentin is made up of inorganic and organic materials as well as water. It is made of mineralized connective tissue and collagen proteins. Dentinogenesis, or the process of forming dentin involves the secretion by odontoblasts of the tooth pulp. Dentin contains a matrix of microscopic tubules that don't criss-cross each other. The length of the tubules are determined by the radius of one's tooth. Dentin is the substance between enamel or cementum and the pulp chamber.

While dentin isn't as strong as enamel, it still gives your teeth extra strength, support and protection. Because it is softer than enamel, it decays more rapidly and is subject to severe cavities if not properly treated, but dentin still acts as a protective layer and supports the crown of the tooth.

Cementum

The innermost layer of the tooth is called the cementum. This part of the tooth resembles bone and it covers the tooth pulp. Like the tooth enamel and dentin, the cementum is made of inorganic (mostly hydroxyapatite), organic (mostly collagen) and water. Cementum is softer than the enamel and dentin and is secreted by cementoblasts that are in the root of the tooth. It too has a yellowish color and is the thickest around the apex of the tooth root. This part of the tooth has the purpose of being a medium through which the periodontal ligaments (the ligaments of the gums) attach to the tooth, giving the tooth stability.

Tooth Pulp

In the center of each tooth is the pulp. The pulp consists of connective tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels. The tooth pulp supplies the tooth with blood and nutrients as well as infection-fighting macrophages and T lymphocytes. It is in the pulp where the odontoblasts which make dentin are located as well as nerve endings, which give the tooth the ability to react to hot or cold food and drink.

Teeth are simple, yet complex, which make them strong and durable. They are, however vulnerable to trauma from wear and tear and disease and decay from poor oral hygiene. Certain tooth conditions like tooth sensitivity can be indications that something is wrong and you should see your dentist.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10002119

Merry Christmas!

May your heart and home be filled with all of the joys the festive season brings. Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Functions of Teeth: 4 Types and Their Role

Every tooth has a specific job or function. Learn more about the different types of teeth including incisors, canines, premolars and molars.

What Is Dry Mouth and When Is It a Problem?

Many medications and illnesses have a side effect called "dry mouth". A lot of people don't understand what exactly dry mouth is and why it is a problem. If you have ever suffered from it though, you know it isn't pleasant and brings on even more issues. To help bring more clarity to this medical issue, here is an explanation of what dry mouth is, when it becomes a problem, and how it is treated.

What is Dry Mouth?

The condition of dry mouth is exactly how it sounds; the mouth feels dry. This is more than just your standard feeling you get when you're thirsty. Instead, the mouth feels dry all the time. Some of the symptoms that are:

· Frequently feeling thirsty, even after drinking

· A dry feeling throat that is often sore

· A sticky or dry feeling in the mouth

· Tongue looks red and raw and feels dry

· Sore in the corners of the mouth

· Cracked lips

· Odd burning and/or tingling feeling in the mouth and tongue

· Hoarseness

· Constant bad breath

· Difficulty speaking, tasting, swallowing, and chewing

· Dry nasal passages

· Periodontitis and Gingivitis, marked by red, bleeding gums

· Tooth decay

While everyone experiences these symptoms at one time or another, it isn't considered dry mouth until it is extreme or lasts for more than a few days.

Why is it a Problem?

The reason the mouth feels dry is that there isn't enough saliva being produced. This condition is not necessarily a major concern, but it depends on the circumstances. The doctor or dentist you visit will help find the root of the problem, which determines how much attention it needs. There are many reasons it comes, including:

· Side effect of a medication

· Dehydration

· A sign of another health problem

If you are taking any medications, that is the first suspect to dry mouth. If that is ruled out, the amount of water you drink every day is examined. A physical exam may take place to rule out any major problems like nerve damage, malfunctioning salivary glands, diabetes, and oral cancer.

For many sufferers, the biggest problem of dry mouth is constantly feeling uncomfortable. The unquenchable thirst interferes with daily routines and the sores on the mouth hurt. It also interferes with wearing dentures. What's more is that saliva is vital to maintaining the pH balance in your mouth. It also helps wash away bacteria and food left in your mouth. Without enough saliva, your teeth are at a major risk for decay, gum disease, and infections, like thrush.

How is it Treated?

The first step is to talk to your doctor if you are taking any medications. They can help you make adjust your dose or switch brands to minimize the side effect. If not, another medication or mouth rinse can be used to increase saliva production or just restore moisture to the mouth. They can also run tests to make sure there are no underlying issues if medication isn't the source.

Talk to a dentist about possible causes and treatments as well. They will want to examine the damage done to your teeth and gums to make sure you are okay in those areas. Most dentists can do oral cancer screenings and prescribe mouth rinses too.

Other ways to boost saliva or general moisture in the mouth are to:

· Suck on candy or chew gum (sugar-free varieties, of course)

· Increase your water intake to keep the mouth moist

· Keep a vaporizer near you, to increase moisture in the air

· Try not to breathe through your mouth, but through your nose instead

· Use a saliva substitute that is found over-the-counter in most pharmacies

It is best to not let dry mouth go on for too long, if you can help it. Don't self-diagnose and treat without visiting your doctor or dentist to ensure that there are no major problems.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Anna_Bird/2355855

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What Are the Major Signs of Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an oral disease that affects the gums and leads to loss of teeth if left untreated. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that disturb the gum, the teeth and the bone that holds the teeth in place.

It is sad that in this day and age, there are people who still take oral health and hygiene for granted. And for that reason, this post focuses oral hygiene for healthy and strong gums and teeth by emphasizing on periodontal disease. It is high time we all had hale and hearty smiles with strong and healthy gums and teeth. Read on, tell a friend and tell the friend to tell a friend.

Now, what are the signs of periodontal disease that you should be aware of?

Do you have bleeding gums, puffy and red gums or itchy gums? Then you are probably wondering if you should be worried or not! Below are some signs and symptoms that will tell you that you need to visit a cosmetic dentist fast.

· Gum bleeding when the gum is disturbed by brushing, flossing or chewing hard food - most people normally think that their bleeding after brushing is caused by poor brushing methods or poor choice of truth brush. Although to some extent these two might cause gum irritation and eventually bleeding, sometimes it is important to seek a professional's opinion as to why your gums are bleeding.

· Red and inflamed gums -the signs are normally associated with Gingivitis. So, painful or not, red and swollen gums are signs of gum disease. As soon as you notice that your gums are puffy and red, consult a professional cosmetic dentist for proper checkup and diagnosis.

· Pus discharge from your gums - Gum disease normally causes the teeth to drift away from their positions because the bone that holds them in place has been lost to the disease. When that happens, pus pockets from beneath the gum and you will experience pus oozing out of the gums. Such a condition makes eating painful and almost impossible, hence the need for immediate professional assistance.

· Bad breath - Are you struggling with bad breath even after brushing your teeth twice a day and regularly flossing? Bad breath is associated with periodontal disease, which calls for immediate treatment.

How to Care for your Teeth after Treatment for Periodontal Disease

· Institute regular plaque removal - On a regular basis, get a professional cleaning from a qualified dentist to get rid of all the plaque surrounding your teeth.

· Quit smoking - One of the major causes of gum disease is smoking. Therefore, if you're a smoker and you have just been treated for gum disease, the best thing you could do for your teeth is quit smoking.

Observe healthy oral hygiene practices - Regular brushing and flossing are the best practices for oral hygiene. Also, avoid too hot and too cold foods and drinks as they provoke cavities.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/William_Jam_Smith/1490931

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Wisdom Teeth: Why and When To Take Them Out & 3 Tips for Surgery Recovery Pain

Erupting or impacted wisdom teeth can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. In this video, we will discuss what wisdom teeth are, when to get them taken out, and tips on quicker recovery.