Dental care is the maintenance of healthy teeth and may refer to:Oral hygiene, the practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean in order to prevent dental disordersDentistry, the professional care of teeth, including professional oral hygiene and dental surgeryOral Surgery, any of a number of medical procedures that involve artificially modifying dentition; in other words, surgery of the teeth and jaw bonesEncyclopedia Entry for Dental :Dental care - adult. HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR TEETH Healthy teeth are clean and have no cavities. Healthy gums are pink and firm. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, follow these steps: Floss at least once per day. It is best to floss before brushing. Flossing removes plaque from between the teeth and on the gums. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush 2 minutes each time. Use fluoride toothpaste. The fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and helps prevent tooth decay. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or sooner if needed. A worn-out toothbrush will not clean your teeth as well. Eat a healthy diet. You are less likely to get gum disease if you eat healthy foods. Avoid sweets and sweetened drinks. Eating and drinking a lot of sweets increases your risk of cavities. If you do eat or drink sweets, brush your teeth soon after. DO NOT smoke. Smokers have more teeth and gum problems than non-smokers. Keep dentures, retainers, and other appliances clean. This includes brushing them regularly. You may also need to soak them in a cleansing solution. Schedule regular checkups with your dentist. Many dentists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months. Regular teeth cleaning by a dentist removes plaque that may develop, even with careful brushing and flossing. This is very important for getting at areas that are hard to reach on your own. Professional cleaning includes scaling and polishing. This procedure uses instruments to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. Routine exams may include dental x-rays. Your dentist can catch problems early, so they do not become more serious and expensive to fix. Ask your dentist: What kind of toothbrush you should use, and how to brush your teeth well. Ask if an electric tooth brush is right for you. Electric tooth brushes have been shown to clean teeth better than manual toothbrushes. They often also have a timer to let you know when you have reached the 2 minute mark. How to properly floss your teeth. Overly vigorous or improper flossing may injure the gums. Whether you should use any special appliances or tools, such as water irrigation. This may sometimes help supplement (but not replace) brushing and flossing. Whether you could benefit from particular toothpastes or mouth rinses. In some cases, over-the-counter pastes and rinses may be doing you more harm than good, depending on your condition. WHEN TO CALL THE DENTIST Call your dentist if you have symptoms of a cavity that include: Pain in the tooth that occurs for no reason or is caused by food, beverages, brushing or flossing Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks Get early treatment for gum disease. Call your dentist if you have symptoms of gum disease that include: Red or swollen gums Bleeding in the gums when you brush your teeth Bad breath Loose teeth Drifting teeth.Teeth - caring for; Oral hygiene; Dental hygiene.American Dental Association website. Adults under 40. www.mouthhealthy.org/en/adults-under-40. Accessed April 20, 2016. Chow AW. Infections of the oral cavity, neck, and head.Encyclopedia Entry for Dental :Dental care - child. Your child must have healthy teeth and gums for overall good health. Injured, diseased, or poorly developed teeth can result in: Poor nutrition Painful and dangerous infections Problems with speech development Problems with facial and jaw bone development Poor self-image Bad bite CARING FOR AN INFANT'S TEETH Even though newborns and infants do not have teeth, it is important to take care of their mouth and gums. Follow these tips: Use a damp washcloth to wipe your infant's gums after each meal. DO NOT put your infant or young child to bed with a bottle of milk, juice, or sugar water. Use only water for bedtime bottles. Begin using a soft toothbrush instead of a washcloth to clean your child's teeth as soon as their first tooth shows (usually between 5 and 8 months of age). Ask your child's health care provider if your infant needs to take oral fluoride. THE FIRST TRIP TO THE DENTIST Your child's first visit to the dentist should be between the time the first tooth appears and the time when all the primary teeth are visible (before 2 1/2 years). Many dentists recommend a 'trial' visit. This can help your child get used to the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of the office before their actual exam. Children who are used to having their gums wiped and teeth brushed every day will be more comfortable going to the dentist. CARING FOR A CHILD'S TEETH Brush your child's teeth and gums at least twice each day and especially before bed. Let children brush on their own to learn the habit of brushing, but you should do the real brushing for them. Take your child to a dentist every 6 months. Let the dentist know if your child thumb sucks or breathes through the mouth. Teach your child how to play safe and what to do if a tooth is broken or knocked out. If you act quickly, you can often save the tooth. When your child has teeth, they should begin flossing each evening before going to bed. Your child may need orthodontic treatment to prevent long-term problems.Teach children to brush Teach children to brush Infant dental care Infant dental care.Hughes CV, Dean JA. Mechanical and chemotherapeutic home oral hygiene.Encyclopedia Entry for Dental :Dental cavities. Tooth decay is a common disorder, second only to the common cold. It most often occurs in children and young adults, but it can affect anyone. Tooth decay is a common cause of tooth loss in younger people. Bacteria are normally found in your mouth. These bacteria change foods, especially sugar and starch, into acids. Bacteria, acid, food pieces, and saliva combine in the mouth to form a sticky substance called plaque. Plaque sticks to the teeth. It is most common on the back molars, just above the gum line on all teeth, and at the edges of fillings. Plaque that is not removed from the teeth turns into a substance called tartar, or calculus. Plaque and tartar irritate the gums, resulting in gingivitis and periodontitis. Plaque begins to build up on teeth within 20 minutes after eating. If it is not removed, it will harden and turn into tartar (calculus). The acids in plaque damage the enamel covering your teeth. It also creates holes in the tooth called cavities. Cavities usually do not hurt, unless they grow very large and affect nerves or cause a tooth fracture. An untreated cavity can lead to an infection in the tooth called a tooth abscess. Untreated tooth decay also destroys the inside of the tooth (pulp). This requires more extensive treatment, or possibly removal of the tooth. Carbohydrates (sugars and starches) increase the risk of tooth decay. Sticky foods are more harmful than non-sticky foods because they remain on the teeth. Frequent snacking increases the time that acids are in contact with the surface of the tooth.There may be no symptoms. If symptoms occur, they may include: Tooth pain or achy feeling, particularly after sweet or hot or cold foods and drinks Visible pits or holes in the teeth.Most cavities are discovered in the early stages during routine dental checkups. A dental exam may show that the surface of the tooth is soft. Dental x-rays may show some cavities before they can be seen just by just looking at the teeth.Treatment can help prevent tooth damage from leading to cavities. Treatment may involve: Fillings Crowns Root canals Dentists fill teeth by removing the decayed tooth material with a drill and replacing it with a material such as composite resin, glass ionomer, or amalgam. Composite resin more closely match the natural tooth appearance, and are preferred for front teeth. There is a trend to use high strength composite resin in the back teeth as well. Crowns or 'caps' are used if tooth decay is extensive and there is limited tooth structure, which may cause weakened teeth. Large fillings and weak teeth increase the risk of the tooth breaking. The decayed or weakened area is removed and repaired. A crown is fitted over the remainder of the tooth. Crowns are often made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain attached to metal. A root canal is recommended if the nerve in a tooth dies from decay or injury. The center of the tooth, including the nerve and blood vessel tissue (pulp), is removed along with decayed portions of the tooth. The roots are filled with a sealing material. The tooth is filled, and a crown is needed in most cases.Treatment often saves the tooth. Treatment is less painful and less expensive if it is done early. You may need numbing medicine and prescription pain medicines to relieve pain during or after dental work. Nitrous oxide with local anesthetic or other medicines may be an option if you are afraid of dental treatments.Dental cavities can lead to: Discomfort or pain Fractured tooth Inability to bite down on tooth Tooth abscess Tooth sensitivity Infection of the bone Bone loss.Call your dentist if you have any tooth pain or discomfort. See your dentist for a routine cleaning and exam if you have not had one in the last 6 months.Oral hygiene is necessary to prevent cavities. This consists of regular professional cleaning (every 6 months), brushing at least twice a day, and flossing at least daily. X-rays may be taken yearly to detect possible cavity development in high-risk areas of the mouth. It is best to eat chewy, sticky foods (such as dried fruit or candy) as part of a meal rather than alone as a snack. If possible, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after eating these foods. Limit snacking, since it creates a constant supply of acid in your mouth. Avoid constant sipping of sugary drinks or frequent sucking on candy and mints. Dental sealants can prevent some cavities. Sealants are thin plastic-like coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars. This coating prevents the buildup of plaque in the deep grooves on these surfaces. Sealants are often applied on the teeth of children, shortly after their molars come in. Older people may also benefit from tooth sealants. Fluoride is often recommended to protect against tooth decay. People who get fluoride in their drinking water or by taking fluoride supplements have less tooth decay. Topical fluoride is also recommended to protect the surface of the teeth. This may include a fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash. Many dentists include application of topical fluoride solutions (applied to a localized area of the teeth) as part of routine visits.Caries; Tooth decay; Cavities - tooth.Tooth anatomy Tooth anatomy Gingivitis Gingivitis Baby bottle tooth decay Baby bottle tooth decay.Chow AW. Infections of the oral cavity, neck, and head.Encyclopedia Entry for Dental :Dental crowns. Getting a dental crown usually takes two dental visits. At the first visit, the dentist will: Numb the neighboring teeth and gum area around the tooth that is getting the crown so you do not feel anything. Remove any old and failing restorations or decay from the tooth. File down your tooth to prepare it for a crown. Fill any cavities. Take an impression of your tooth to send to the dental lab where they make the permanent crown. Some dentists can make a crown in their office. Make and fit your tooth with a temporary crown. At the second visit, the dentist will: Remove the temporary crown. Fit your permanent crown. Your dentist may take an x-ray to make sure the crown fits well. Cement the crown in place.A crown can be used to: Attach a bridge, which fills a gap created by missing teeth Repair a weak tooth and keep it from breaking Support and cover a tooth Replace a misshapen tooth or dental implant Correct a misaligned tooth Talk to your dentist if you need a crown. You may need a crown because you have a: Large cavity with too little of the natural tooth left to hold a filling Chipped or broken tooth Worn down or cracked tooth from grinding your teeth Discolored or stained tooth Badly shaped tooth that does not match your other teeth.Several problems can occur with a crown: Your tooth under the crown can still get a cavity: To prevent cavities, be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. The crown could fall off: This can happen if the core of the tooth that holds the crown in place is too weak. You may need a root canal to save the tooth. Or, you may need to have the tooth pulled and replaced with a dental implant. Your crown could chip or crack: If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, you may need to wear a night mouth guard to protect your crown when you sleep. The nerve of your tooth could become extra sensitive to cold and hot temperatures: It may be painful. In this case, you may need a root canal.There are several types of crowns, and each has pros and cons. Talk to your dentist about the type of crown that works best for you. The different types of crowns include: Stainless steel crowns: Are pre-made Work well as temporary crowns, especially for young children. The crown falls off when the child loses the baby tooth. Metal crowns: Hold up to chewing and teeth grinding Rarely chip Last the longest Do not look natural Resin crowns: Cost less than other crowns Wear down more quickly and may need to be replaced sooner than other crowns Are weaker and prone to cracking Ceramic or porcelain crowns: Wear down opposing teeth more than metal crowns Match the color of other teeth May be a good choice if you have a metal allergy Porcelain fused to metal crowns: Are made from porcelain covering a metal crown Metal makes the crown stronger Porcelain part is more prone to fracture than crowns made of all porcelain.While you have the temporary crown in place, you may need to: Slide your floss out, rather than lifting it up, which can pull the crown off the tooth. Avoid sticky foods, such as gummy bears, caramels, bagels, nutrition bars, and gum. Try to chew of the other side of your mouth. Call your dentist if you: Have swelling that is getting worse Feel that your bite is not right Lose your temporary crown Feel as if your tooth is out of place Once the permanent crown is in place: If your tooth still has its nerve, you may have some sensitivity to heat or cold. This should go away over time. Expect that it will take a few days to get used to the new crown in your mouth. Take care of your crown the same way you take care of your normal teeth. If you have a porcelain crown, you may want to avoid chewing on hard candy or ice to avoid chipping your crown.When you have a crown, you should be more comfortable chewing, and it should look good. Most crowns can last at least 5 years and as long at 15 to 20 years.Dental caps; Porcelain crowns; Lab-fabricated restoration.Academy of General Dentistry. What are crowns? Updated January 2012. Knowyourteeth.org Web site. www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=C&iid=301&aid=1204. Accessed December 8, 2016. Celenza V, Livers HN. Porcelain-full coverage and partial coverage restorations.Encyclopedia Entry for Dental :Dental plaque identification at home. There are two ways to perform this test. One method uses special tablets that contain a red dye that stains the plaque. You chew 1 tablet thoroughly, moving the mixture of saliva and dye over your teeth and gums for about 30 seconds. Then rinse your mouth with water and examine your teeth. Any red-stained areas are plaque. A small dental mirror may help you check all areas. The second method uses a plaque light. You swirl a special fluorescent solution around your mouth. Then rinse your mouth gently with water. Examine your teeth and gums while shining an ultraviolet plaque light into your mouth. The light will make any plaque look bright yellow-orange. The advantage of this method is that it leaves no red stains in your mouth. In the office, dentists are often able to detect plaque by doing a thorough exam with dental tools.Brush and floss your teeth thoroughly.Your mouth may feel slightly dried out after using the dye.The test helps identify missed plaque. It can encourage you to improve your brushing and flossing so that you remove more plaque from your teeth. Plaque that remains on your teeth can cause tooth decay or make your gums bleed easily and become red or swollen.No plaque or food debris will be seen on your teeth.The tablets will stain areas of plaque dark red. The plaque light solution will color the plaque a bright orange-yellow. The colored areas show where brushing and flossing was not sufficient. These areas need to be brushed again to get rid of the stained plaque.There are no risks.The tablets may cause a temporary pink coloring of your lips and cheeks. They may color your mouth and tongue red. Dentists suggest using them at night so that the color will be gone by morning.Dental plaque stain Dental plaque stain.Hughes CV, Dean JA. Mechanical and chemotherapeutic home oral hygiene.Encyclopedia Entry for Dental :Dental sealants. The grooves on the top of molars and premolars are deep and hard to clean with a toothbrush. Bacteria can build up in the grooves and cause cavities. Dental sealants can help: Keep food, acids, and plaque from sitting in the grooves of the molars and premolars Prevent decay and cavities Save time, money, and the discomfort of getting a filling Children are most at risk for cavities on molars. Sealants can help protect permanent molars. Permanent molars come in when children are about 6 years old and then again when they are 12 years old. Getting sealants soon after the molars have come in will help protect them from cavities. Adults who do not have cavities or decay on their molars can also get sealants. Sealants last about 5 to 10 years. Your dentist should check them at each visit in case a sealant needs to be replaced.Your dentist applies sealants on the molars in a few quick steps. There is no drilling or scraping of the molars. Your dentist will: Clean the tops of the molars and premolars. Put a conditioning acid gel on the top of the molar for a few seconds. Rinse and dry the tooth surface. Paint the sealant into the grooves of the tooth. Shine a light on the sealant to help it dry and harden. This takes about 10 to 30 seconds.Ask your dental office about the cost of dental sealants. The cost of dental sealants is usually priced per tooth. Check with your insurance plan to see if the cost of sealants is covered. Many plans cover sealants. Some plans have limits on coverage. For example, sealants may be covered only up to a certain age.You should call the dentist if you: Feel that your bite is not right Lose your sealant.Pit and fissure sealants.American Dental Association. Dental sealants. Updated October 19, 2016. ADA.org Web site. www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/dental-sealants. Accessed December 8, 2016. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research website. Seal out tooth decay. www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2017-11/seal-out-tooth-decay-parents.pdf. Updated August 2017. Accessed March 2, 2018. Sanders BJ. Pit-and-fissure sealants and preventive resin restorations.Encyclopedia Entry for Dental :Dental x-rays. The test is performed in the dentist's office. There are many types of dental x-rays. Some of them are: Bitewing. Shows the crown portions of the top and bottom teeth together when the person bites on a biting tab. Periapical. Shows 1 or 2 complete teeth from crown to root. Palatal (also called occlusal). Captures all the upper or lower teeth in one shot while the film rests on the biting surface of the teeth. Panoramic. Requires a special machine that rotates around the head. The x-ray captures all of the jaws and teeth in one shot. It is used to plan treatment for dental implants, check for impacted wisdom teeth, and detect jaw problems. A panoramic x-ray is not the best method for detecting cavities, unless the decay is very advanced and deep. Cephalometric. Presents the side view of the face and represents relationship of the jaw to each other as well as to the rest of the structures. It is helpful to diagnose any airway problems. Many dentists are also taking x-rays using digital technology. These images run through a computer. The amount of radiation given off during the procedure is less than traditional methods. Other types of dental x-rays can create a 3-D picture of the jaw. Cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) may be used before dental surgery, such as when several implants are being placed.There is no special preparation. You need to remove any metal objects in the area of the x-ray exposure. A lead apron may be placed over your body. Tell your dentist if you might be pregnant.The x-ray itself causes no discomfort. Biting on the piece of film makes some people gag. Slow, deep breathing through the nose usually relieves this feeling. Both CBCT and cephalometric x-ray do not require any biting pieces.Dental x-rays help diagnose disease and injury of the teeth and gums as well as help planning the appropriate treatment.Normal x-rays show a normal number, structure, and position of the teeth and jaw bones. There are no cavities or other problems.Dental x-rays may be used to identify the following: The number, size, and position of teeth Partially or fully impacted teeth The presence and severity of tooth decay (called cavities or dental caries) Bone damage (such as from gum disease called periodontitis ) Abscessed teeth Fractured jaw Problems in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together ( malocclusion ) Other abnormalities of the teeth and jaw bones.There is very low radiation exposure from dental x-rays. However, no one should receive more radiation than necessary. A lead apron can be used to cover the body and reduce radiation exposure. Pregnant women should not have x-rays taken unless necessary.Dental x-rays can reveal dental cavities before they are clinically visible, even to the dentist. Many dentists will take yearly bitewings to look for early development of cavities in between the teeth.X-ray - teeth; Radiograph - dental; Bitewings; Periapical film; Panoramic film; Cephalometric x-ray; Digital image.Berman LH, Rotstein I. Diagnosis.