Smile adds beauty to our face and for some people it is bread and butter of life. For beauty queens, models, film and TV personalities, their looks is everything as it is the key point for their profession. For common people may be it is not question of bread and butter but healthy teeth and gum are everyone’s dream.

Maintaining good dental health is as important as maintaining our overall health, but our dental health usually does not get proper attention though it is proved that poor dental health is linked to other diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, preterm birth, low birth weight, stomach problems, cardiovascular disease, dementia, respiratory infections, pregnancy complications, erectile dysfunction etc. We can say that better dental health leads to better overall health.

Tooth and gum diseases are very common. According to the World Health Organization Trusted Source :

• between 60 and 90 percent of school children have at least one dental cavity
• nearly 100 percent of adults have at least one dental cavity
• between 15 and 20 percent of adults ages 35 to 44 have severe gum disease
• about 30 percent of people around the world ages 65 to 74 don’t have any natural teeth left
• in many countries, out of every 100,000 people, there are between 1 and 10 cases of oral cancer
• oral disease is much higher in poor or disadvantaged population groups

There are many steps you can take to keep your teeth healthy :

• Rinsing your mouth after eating
• flossing your teeth at least once a day
• brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste for at least twice a day
• eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• avoiding tobacco products
• Reducing your sugar consumption
• seeking professional dental care
• drinking fluoridated water

Foods with a large amount sugar include :

• muffins
• soda
• milkshakes
• sweetened cereal bars
• pasta sauce
• sweetened iced tea
• sliced fruit in cans or jars that have additional sugars
• sports drinks
• juice or juice blends
• flavored yogurt
• condiments such as ketchup and barbecue sauce

Various types of DENTAL disease :

Dental problems such as cavities or gum disease can make you face a lot of problems and pain and bad breath. And what many people may not realize, is that poor dental health can have a profound, negative affect on areas outside of the mouth, including your heart, diabetes, pregnancy and chronic inflammation, such as arthritis etc.

Some studies suggest that the bacteria in gum disease can travel to your heart and cause heart disease, clogged arteries or stroke. Gum infections, such as periodontitis, have been linked to premature births and low-birth weight in pregnant women. Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, making the gums more susceptible to infection, which can adversely affect blood sugar.

 If you notice swelling or pus around the tooth, or if you have a fever, that may be a sign that you have an abscess, or a more serious problem. See your dentist as soon as possible. You may need antibiotics as well as other treatments.

An adult tooth that doesn’t come in properly is “impacted.” It usually happens when a tooth is stuck against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue. If it isn’t bothering you, a dentist may recommend leaving it alone.  But if it hurts or may cause problems later on, an oral surgeon can help you.

These little holes in your teeth can create big troubles. When a bacteria, called plaque, builds up on your teeth, slowly destroys the hard outer shell, called enamel. Adults can also have problems with tooth decay at the gum line and around the edges of earlier fillings.

A big threat to dental health is dental chip. An accident can cause a chip. Your dentist may recommend a crown if the chip is large or bonding with a strong resin material to replace the area that chipped. If the pulp is at risk, you may need a root canal followed by a veneer or crown.

Cracked teeth is a big threat to dental health. Most dentist recommend crowns for cracked teeth to prevent the crack from worsening. If the tooth is sensitive to hot and cold, the problem is more complex. Try to chew on the other side until you see your dentist. If the crack is above the gum line, you may need a root canal and a crown. A deeper crack means the tooth must be removed. Fillings can increase the chance of a crack.

Number of teeth matters. Commonly you have 32 adult teeth. Rarely some people have extra teeth, which is called hyperdontia. People who have it may also have another condition, such as a cleft palate or Gardner’s Syndrome (which forms tumors that aren’t cancer). The treatment is to get the extra teeth removed and use orthodontics to correct the bite.

Bad breath is an embarrassing problem that comes from protein broken down by bacteria inside the mouth. It is caused by pieces of food that are stuck between teeth, on the gums and on the tongue. When teeth are not cleaned, this food degrades and creates a bad smell.

Grinding teeth is called bruxism. Stress is one of the causes. Crooked teeth or sleep issues can also be responsible. Bruxism can give you headaches, a sore jaw, and cracked or loose teeth. If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist to fit you with a mouth guard. If it’s a daytime problem, follow meditation, exercise, or other ways to curb stress.

Treatment :

Orthodontia is a treatment for straightening crooked teeth and aligning your bite. It can improve overall dental health, relieving symptoms like jaw pain.  Orthodontists may use braces (metal or trays), aligners, and retainers.

To prevent gum infections, brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, limit snacks, floss daily, rinse with a fluoride mouthwash.

One may not consider a gap between the front teeth a problem at all. But, if you want to correct it, your options include orthodontics to move teeth closer together and cosmetic solutions like veneers or bonding. 

No matter how perfect the fit, you can always floss between your teeth. You may need to switch to a thinner floss or a waxed one. You can also try a looped flosser or a dental pick. Flossing is a must for good dental health.

If your wisdom teeth, or third molars, came in problem-free, it is a good thing. Most people have at least one wisdom tooth that’s impacted, or not able to fully grow in. Problems with your wisdom teeth can cause cavities, damage to neighboring teeth, and gum disease. Wisdom teeth generally come in between the ages of 17 and 25. Your dentist should track their progress. If they become a problem, you may need to get them removed.

If the food that is left stuck in between our teeth combines with saliva and bacteria in our mouth it creates plaque and stick to our teeth. The plaque grows bacterial acids that dissolve the teeth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. By not letting the plaque to develop and consuming less sugar containing eatables, we can prevent out teeth from decaying.

To stop bad breath, swishing or gargling water or mouthwash after meals will help get rid of debris and other bacterias that might be left behind after having meals. Brushing is the best way to get rid it.

Bonding a decorative metal cover to the teeth with glue, not meant for use in your mouth can do damage. And a grill made from less expensive metal than gold or silver could irritate your mouth. Always remove a grill before you eat, and make sure you keep it, and your teeth, clean.

Most dental and oral problems can be diagnosed during a dental exam. During an exam, your dentist will closely check your:

• teeth
• mouth
• tongue
• cheeks
• throat
• jaw
• neck

A tool called a probe can be used to measure your gum pockets. This small ruler can tell your dentist whether or not you have gum disease or receding gums. In a healthy mouth, the depth of the pockets between the teeth are usually between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm). Any measurement higher than that may mean you have gum disease.

If your dentist finds any abnormal lumps, lesions, or growths in your mouth, they may perform a gum biopsy. During a biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed from the growth or lesion. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope to check for cancerous cells.

If oral cancer is suspected, your dentist may also order imaging tests to see if the cancer has spread. Tests may include:

• X-ray
• MRI scan
• CT scan
• endoscopy

Studies suggested that cavities are caused by lack of vitamin D in the diet. In this study, kids who added vitamin D to their diets showed a reduction in cavities. Not getting enough vitamin D may make teeth more susceptible to cavities. Other risk factors for cavities include:

• dry mouth or having a medical condition that reduces the amount of saliva in the mouth
• eating foods that cling to teeth, like candy and sticky foods
• frequent snacking on sugary foods or drinks, like soda, cereals, and ice cream
• heartburn (due to acid)
• inadequate cleaning of teeth
• bedtime infant feeding

Home remedies for tooth and gum disease :

A. Garlic is a effective antiseptic, comprising potent antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. A compound known as allicin, makes garlic an effective agent for healing. Allicin offers a powerful antibiotic effect which provides relief to the affected area when applied. Garlic also aids in fighting the infection from the inside. All you need is to finely chop a garlic clove and then smash it and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes so as to activate the allicin compound. Then, apply a small amount directly into the affected portion in teeth or gums and be sure not to use in excess as it can burn. Leave this for few minutes and then rinse with warm salt water. Doing this would help to draw out the infection and also kill bacteria.

B. Clove Oil is a great remedy for dental problem. Cloves have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anesthetic properties that relieve toothache and fights infection naturally. Cloves numb the nerves and the primary chemical compound known as eugenol is a natural anesthetic. Cloves can also fight against mouth ulcers, cavities and sore gums.

C. One of the best home remedy to relieve toothache is salt water. Salt water aids in cleansing any loose debris present in the mouth and also potentially harmful bacteria that might be present in or around the affected area. In order to treat a toothache, you simply need to add salt to a small amount of warm water and swish it around in your mouth for at least 30 seconds before spitting it out. Repeat this for several times in a day.

D. Peppermint is an effective home remedy for toothache as it offers a natural numbing property. In order to treat your toothache, place a peppermint tea bag in a freezer until it is too cold. Then apply the tea bag directly onto the affected area for at least 20 minutes. This is required to be repeated frequently. You can also use peppermint essential oil to treat toothache. Just add a few drops of the essential oil to a cotton ball and place it on the affected portion.

E. Alcohol can be a home remedy for toothache. Applying alcohol topically is believed to numb the area. Soak a cotton ball in whiskey. Squeeze out the excess and place it next to the sore tooth and allow it to sit for 15 minutes.

F. Onion consists of antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that are used to kill the bacteria which are present in mouth and can produce pain. It is an effective home remedy to relieve toothache. You can place a piece of raw onion over the painful area. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes or a bit longer.

G. One excellent home remedy to relieve toothache is wheatgrass. This offers natural antibacterial properties that helps in fighting tooth decay and also in relieving toothaches and also work as natural antibiotics that helps in protecting the gums and teeth from infections. You need to chew the wheatgrass directly with the affected tooth for getting the best benefits. Even wheatgrass juice can be used as a mouthwash for reducing growth of bacteria.

H. Guava Leaves are wonderful remedy for tooth problem. Guava leaves are known for alleviating toothaches and also helps in relieving mouth ulcers and swollen gums. This is because of its rich amount of flavonoids present in them. Just chew guava leaf until its juice begins to work on the affected tooth. Alternatively you can also place five guava leaves in to boiling water and allow the liquid to cools down to warm temperature and then add a sprinkle of sea salt to it. Gurgle with it.

I. Thyme has been proven scientifically to provide some of the strongest antimicrobial properties. There are many ways thyme can be used to treat tooth problem. You can use thyme by chewing the thyme leaves or can take thyme tea for some pain relief in toothache. In case you are chewing the leaves, you need to chew it on the opposite side of the mouth rather than using the affected tooth. This is so because if the leaves get in to the affected tooth, they can worsen the problem. Chewing thyme leaves can aid in reducing pain and also help in healing bleeding gums. One more option to soothe the toothache and fight infection is to dilute few drops of thyme essential oil with a carrier oil like olive oil and gargle it.

J. Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most common solutions known to relieve teeth, mouth and gum problems. Swishing with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution in mouth can provide temporary relief from pain, especially if your toothache is accompanied by fever or a bad taste in mouth, which can be signs of infections. It can attack bacteria well in mouth. Swish the hydrogen peroxide solution around your mouth for at least 30 seconds and then rinse your mouth several times with clean water. Make sure you do not swallow it.

K. One of the most powerful remedies for toothache is the blend of salt water, oregano essential oil and colloidal silver. This aids in fighting against abscess causing toothaches. Start by placing a few drops of oregano essential oil under your tongue and hold it in place for some minutes and then spit it out. Then, swish some colloidal silver around your mouth before rinsing. Continue swishing and rinsing for at least 3-4 times. In between the colloidal silver swishes, gargle with warm water mixed with sea salt. Later on rub some of the oregano oil directly in to the gums.

L. Turmeric is excellent remedy for eliminating pain. It is considered to be effective against tooth and gum infections as well as useful in excruciating abscesses. You can take small amount of turmeric powder in to a small amount of water for preparing a paste. Then dip a cotton ball in to the paste and place it in to your mouth on the affected area. You can directly apply the turmeric powder or mixed with raw and organic honey for added benefits and taste.

M. One can reduce dental problems like toothaches, bleeding gums etc. naturally at home by using Asafetida. It is essential for you to simply add a pinch or one-half teaspoon of powdered asafetida to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and then slightly warm it. You need to use a cotton pad for applying the solution on the affected area.

N. Acupressure can trigger the release of endorphins and this can stop toothache. There are several ways to cure tooth and gum problem by using acupressure. They are as follows –

Press the skin found just behind your outer ankle bone; hold for about one minute. Make use of your fingertip to apply firm pressure without pressing too hard.

Make use of your thumb to press the point on the back of your other hand, where the index finger and base of the thumb meets. Apply moderate pressure for at least 10 minutes.

Grasp the toenail portion of your second toe of the corresponding foot using thumb and forefinger. Apply moderate level of pressure to the side of the toe that is furthest from the big toe. Hold for 2 minutes to feel the reduction in pain

O. Sodium bicarbonate can be an effective ingredient to use on your teeth and gums. It works against harmful mouth bacteria, and it also neutralizes acids that cause inflammation and damage of tooth surfaces. It can brighten teeth also.

You can make a paste by mixing a small amount of baking soda with water and gently brush on your teeth. This slurry provides one method of cleaning, but it’s important to include other anti-bacterial compounds.  

Good food habit, proper mouth cleaning habit, periodical checkups will help you to maintain problem free oral health.