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Teeth not only add beauty but are also essential for our health because we use them when we eat. However, according to an expert, most elderly people lose their natural teeth when teeth are actually designed to last for a lifetime.
Why Should Take Care of Your Natural Teeth?
According to Samer Zaky, a dentist and assistant professor, one out of five Americans who are 75 years old and older live without teeth. Teeth are designed to be durable, and their durability lies in three factors: enamel, dentin, and pulp.
Enamel shields the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line. It is the body's toughest tissue, with a high mineral concentration. Enamel is necessary because it protects the teeth from the continuous force of chewing.
Because enamel lacks blood arteries, nerves, or cells, it is inert and insensitive. Moreover, enamel does not regenerate. Once a piece of our treasured enamel is dissolved by disease, shattered by abuse (such as biting nails, opening bottles, chewing ice), or touched by the dental drill, it is permanently lost.
The non-innervated enamel is not sensitive, just like hair or nails. The degradation painlessly penetrates the enamel's 2.5-millimeter (a tenth of an inch) layer. Suppose the decay is discovered at that stage during a routine dental examination. In that case, the dentist can repair it with a comparatively conservative filling that barely affects the tooth's structural integrity.
The solid outer layer of a tooth is called dentin. It is living tissue comprising cellular extensions and parallel, minuscule tubes containing fluid. Both come from the pu and are the soft tissue center of the tooth. Rich in blood vessels, nerves, and cells, the pulp is the tooth's life source and the secret to its extended life.
The cellular extensions within the dentin feel deterioration as soon as they penetrate the nonsensitive layer of enamel into dentin, much like smoke detectors communicating with a distant fire station. Our tooth sensitivity alarm sounds when the extensions alert the pulp to the danger of the tooth's heart being on fire.
The inflammatory pulp starts two defense mechanisms. The first is to release an extra dentin layer to ward off the impending attack. The second is toothache, which requires a trip to the dentist.
Less drilling and smaller filling are done the sooner you visit the dentist. Most of the tooth's natural tissues will be retained if the problem is detected early, and the pulp will return to normal. When discovered too late, the pulp slowly dies out.
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How to Take Care Of Your Natural Teeth?
Regular visits to the dentist are highly recommended to maintain your dental health and ensure that your natural teeth are in their best condition.
For instance, tooth decay is predictable and preventable. You have a greater chance of preserving tooth integrity if problems are detected earlier.
Thus, it is essential to visit the dentist frequently to keep those sneaky bacteria under control, even though the procedure is painless at first. During your checkup, the dentist will clean your teeth and look for signs of early deterioration.
Aside from regular professional care, you can do your part to avoid tooth decay. Some of the things you can do daily are brushing your teeth twice and flossing at least once. You should also avoid sugar and sweetened drinks. Instead, drink plenty of water.
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