1. What do we mean by dental health?
The term dental health refers to all aspects of health and functioning of our mouth especially the teeth and gums. In addition to afford to eat, talk and laugh (look nice), teeth and gums should be free from infections that can cause tooth decay, gum inflammation, tooth loss and bad breath.
Tooth decay, also known as dental cavity is the most common disease of the teeth. The main factors to control caries are oral hygiene, fluoride use and moderate consumption of cariogenic foods. The teeth are also affected by "tooth wear" or erosion. This is a normal process that occurs with age, as it loses the tooth enamel due to repeated exposure to acids other than those produced by plaque.
Attrition (mechanical wear) and abrasion are other forms of tooth decay. Attrition occurs when teeth are eroded due to contact with other teeth. Abrasion is caused by external mechanical factors such as incorrect tooth brushing. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is caused by infection and inflammation of the gums (gingival), the periodontal connective tissues and alveolar bone. Periodontal disease can cause tooth loss.
2. Why is dental health important for general health and wellness?
The health of our teeth and mouth is in many ways related to health and wellness. The ability to chew and swallow food is essential to obtain the necessary nutrients that allow you to enjoy good health. Besides the impact on nutritional status, poor dental health can also adversely affect the ability of communication and self-esteem. Dental diseases cause economic and social problems because the treatments are costly and cause tooth pain low in school (children) and work (adults).
3. Why and how they form cavities?
Caries is a transmissible infectious disease, most commonly affecting the teeth, where the acids produced by bacteria dissolve the teeth. Some bacteria such as Streptococci mutans and Lactobacilli can be transmitted, for example, from parents to children. These bacteria are cariogenic (which means decay-causing) and create a sticky film known as plaque on the surface of the teeth. The bacteria in plaque feed on fermentable carbohydrates and convert them into acids. Carbohydrates are sugars and other fermentable carbohydrates from the food and drink, the bacteria can ferment. The acids formed dissolve minerals such as calcium and phosphate from teeth. This process is called demineralization. But tooth decay is not inevitable.
Saliva carries food debris left in the mouth, neutralizes acids produced by plaque bacteria and provides calcium and phosphate to the teeth in a process known as remineralization. Saliva also acts as a reservoir for fluoride toothpaste or fluoridated water. Fluoride helps control tooth remineralizing teeth and inhibiting bacterial acid production, which reduces or stops the decay process. Tooth decay only occurs when the process of demineralisation exceeds remineralisation over a period of time.