There is so Much to Learn About Teeth
Once you learn about the different types of teeth, their functions, and how to take care of them, we hope you take the time to maintain that beautiful smile. Taking care of that beautiful smile requires a consistent home oral health care routine and regular dental cleanings. Oral hygiene is a crucial part of your overall health, no less important than taking good care of your heart, muscles, or immune system.
About Teeth
Teeth play an essential role in shaping your face, helping with speech, and helping you chew food. For example, if you lose a tooth, the space will allow your teeth to move, reshaping your jawline. As your teeth start shifting around, that changes the shape and alignment of your jawline.
Teeth also play an essential role in spoken language. For example, crooked teeth can affect your speech. Conditions such as overbite, gapped teeth, and overcrowding can create various speaking problems.
Teeth play an essential role in eating; for example, you have teeth that grind food and crush food and separate teeth that tear and cut food.
The five different types of teeth:
- Incisors are the eight teeth in the front responsible for biting off food.
- Canines, or the human equivalent of fangs, which we use for tearing food apart.
- Premolars, also called bicuspids, serve for chewing and grinding food.
- Molars have the same purpose as premolars.
- Third molars, or wisdom teeth, are usually removed because they may cause crowding.
- Except for third molars, which some people never develop, these teeth are mutual to every human being. Dental needs vary from one person to another, caused by many unique factors.
Toothpaste and taking care of your teeth:
For every need, there is a different type of toothpaste, though many dentists recommend these:
- Toothpaste for young children, which is fluoride-free and thus safe to swallow.
- Fluoride toothpaste strengthens teeth and protects them against decay.
- Toothpaste for sensitive teeth, which feels gentler against painful teeth.
- Tartar control toothpaste prevents plaque formation.
- Whitening and breath-freshening toothpaste give you a dazzling smile.
Toothbrush Types & Uses
There are also many different types of toothbrushes to choose from. They all fall under three main categories – soft, medium, and hard – and deliver a different effect depending on your dental needs:
- Soft Toothbrushes
- Soft toothbrushes may be better for oral hygiene since they don’t wear away the enamel and damage your gums. But they are less effective when removing food and built-up plaque.
- Hard Toothbrushes
- Exactly the opposite can be said for hard toothbrushes. While they do a better job at keeping your teeth plaque-free, their firm bristles can gradually wear away the enamel and weaken your gums.
- Medium Toothbrushes
- Splitting the difference between these two options, medium toothbrushes may be the best choice for your overall dental health. They are firm enough to remove food and plaque but gentle enough not to hurt the enamel and gums.
Types of Dental Services
Brushing and flossing are not enough, though. Healthy teeth require regular cleanings and checkups, too, as well as other types of dental services. Here’s what to include in your dental care regimen:
- Annual checkups must be on your calendar to help prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum diseases.
- Regular dental cleanings are just as crucial for maintaining optimal oral health. If you haven’t paid a visit to your dentist in over a year, schedule a cleaning as soon as possible. After two or three more appointments, you can continue with annual checkups.
- Dental emergencies can include pain and swelling in the mouth to having a chipped or broken tooth.
Diet & Oral Health
According to a recent study published in the British Dental Journal, your favourite refreshment may be the number one culprit of tooth wear. Acidic ingredients in drinks and food increase the risk of tooth erosion by 11%, so steer away from fruit-flavoured drinks and sugar-free snacks.
A suitable type of toothpaste and a toothbrush with appropriate bristle firmness can help you take regular brushing to a different level. Add flossing, annual checkups, cleanings, sound lifestyle choices (no smoking), and diet, and you’ll have pearly whites and a healthy body.
