Teething Troubles- Femina

Your worst nightmare: At 40, you need dentures! Well, your teeth will age, but they don't have to fall out. Rohini Bhatia Singh helps you prevent a mid-life dental crisis

FROM Julia Roberts to Madhuri Dixit, we've seen that a dazzling smile with bright shiny teeth scores at the box office, helps at a job interview, and definitely doesn't drive away a delicious kiss. "Your teeth tell a story," says Dr Sunil Bhoolabhai, a Mumbai-based cosmetic dentist. "A proper oral regime is not just important for a beautiful smile, but also for health," adds Dr Bhoolabhai. "Brushing, flossing and rinsing after each meal would be an ideal beginning to good dental hygiene," adds Dr Reshma Shah of 32 Reasons, a Dental Clinic in Mumbai.

There are four basic dental problem areas: Plaque and tartar related problems, gum diseases, normal wear and tear of the teeth, diet and overall lifestyle. Dr Sagar Shah emphasises, "Diagnosis plays a crucial role in treating cases." Here is a list of dos and don'ts for combating age-related dental problems you might face.

Plaque
Most dental problems are plaque-related. Plaque is a bacteria-harbouring film that forms on your teeth. As you age, more tartar forms (hardened plaque) that is tough to clean. Of course, today's ultra-sonic cleansers work better than the old-fashioned hand scalars. Still, you need to prevent bacteria from settling on your teeth. To do so, you need to brush, floss and rinse thoroughly after meals. Dentists also suggest clean-ups every six months. If you don't remove the tartar, it leads to the mobility of the teeth, which can eventually lead to teeth removal and gum problems.

Gum Disease
It's normal to have slight inflammation of the gums. However, when tartar accumulates, it can set the stage for gum diseases. These can cause loss of bony foundation and lead to mobility and/or loss of teeth. To fix it, you may need flap surgery that involves opening the gums and cleaning them. More gory and severe forms of gum disease exist like pyorrhea (pus in the gums) due to severe neglect and lack of treatment.

TIP: To prevent pyorrhea, rinse with a fluoride mouth rinse regularly. It helps harden the outer layer of the tooth enamel, prevent the occurrence of cavities and keeps the gums healthy and clean.

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