How to best care for your teeth

The human teeth primary function is to mechanically break down food items by cutting and crushing them in preparation for swallowing and digesting.

The teeth are the hardest substance in the human body according to WebMd. And just like your fingerprints, they are uniquely yours, even identical twins don't have identical teeth. This is why sometimes, dental records are used to identify human remains.

Besides being necessary for chewing and cutting, the teeth play an important role in speech, smile, and giving shape to your face. This is why it's very important to keep your teeth healthy and well cared for as well as your gum which should always be pink in color and firm.

Humans have four types of teeth and each has a specific function, they are;

• Incisors (8 total)
• Canines (4 total)
• Premolars (8 total) and
• Molars (12 total)

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The Incisors cut the food, Canines tear the food and the Premolars and Molars crush the food. About a third of your tooth is underneath your gums, the roots are embedded in the maxilla (upper jaw) or the mandible (lower jaw) and are covered by gums.

The teeth are made up of varying layers, consistencies, and hardness. These include;

Enamel: This is the hardest white outer part of the tooth. Enamel is mostly made up of calcium phosphate, a rock hard mineral.
Dentin: This is the hard tissue that contains microscopic tubes underlying the enamel. When the enamel is damaged, heat or cold can enter the tooth through these paths and cause sensitivity and pain.
Pulp: Blood vessels and nerves run through the pulp of the teeth because they are the softer inner structure of the teeth.
Periodontal ligament: These are the tissues that help hold the teeth tightly against the jaw.
Cementum: This is a layer of connective tissues that binds the roots of the teeth firmly to the gums and jawbones.
Crown: The crown of each tooth projects into the mouth.
Root: The root of each tooth descends below the gum line into the jaw


Webmd 2015

You must have heard the saying, "you are what you eat"; well, that's incredibly true for your teeth and gums also. So, which foods are best for your teeth and gum health?

The difference between a healthy smile and a regular visit to a dentist has everything you do with your diet. The starchy or sugary foods you love so much are also loved by the bacteria in your mouth that can cause decay and gum diseases. Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods or a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein, calcium-rich and whole grains from all the food groups promotes healthy teeth and gums as well as body.

Here are some teeth conditions you can experience when you don't eat right.

• Tooth decay: This is a general name for teeth disease including cavities.
• Periodontitis: Inflammation of deeper structures of the teeth such as the periodontal ligaments, jawbones, and cementum.
• Cavities: Most cavities occur on the molar and premolar. Damages are on the enamel and deeper structure of the teeth.
• Plague: A sticky colorless film made of bacteria and substances they secrete. Plagues develop quickly on the teeth after eating sugary food.
• Tartar: If plagues are not removed by simple brushing of the teeth, it mixes with some minerals to become tartar, a harder substance.
• Gingivitis: This is a build-up of plaque and tartar around and between the crowns of the teeth causing inflammation of the surface portion of the gums.
• Tooth sensitivity: This happens only when the dentin is exposed leading to one or more teeth becoming sensitive to hot or cold stuff.

Some of the best foods for healthy teeth are;

Dairy products:
Dairy products such as Cheese, Milk, and Yogurt are calcium-rich, low fat, or fat-free foods that help promote strong teeth and bones. Cheese is low in sugar, high in calcium, and contains casein which is a protein that is particularly useful for fortifying tooth enamel.


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Water:
Contrary to what you think and unlike any other drink, water is the healthiest drink available on earth. Our bodies are made up of about 60-70% of water and staying hydrated helps your system to distribute healthy nutrients, get rid of waste, give your skin a healthy glow, and keeps your muscles moving according to dentistry.uic.com.


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Apples and pears:
Just as the popular saying goes " an apple a day, keeps the doctor away" but will it keep the dentist away? Maybe or maybe not but it will certainly help. Apples and other hard fibrous fruits such as pears can help clean your teeth and increase salivation which can neutralize the citric and malic acid left behind in your mouth.



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Tea and coffee:
Polyphenols are a category of chemicals that naturally occur in many of the foods and drinks we consume especially tea and coffee. Polyphenols offer several health benefits, including their role as antioxidants which combats cell damage, reduces inflammation, and fights cancer. 


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Celery:
Do you want to floss naturally? Celery is the way to go because its crunchy and fibrous texture makes for a very effective natural teeth cleaner and probably the closest tin to nature's dental floss.


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Nuts:
Nuts are packed with tons of important elements and full of health benefits for your teeth. Almonds, cashew nuts, and Brazil nuts offer a good amount of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus. Walnuts contain all of the aforementioned and everything from fiber, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, iron, niacin, potassium, zinc, vitamins E, and B6. So, go get a handful of walnuts and add them to your diet.

Meat and fatty fish:
Most meat offers zinc, vitamins E, magnesium, and other nutrients. While chewing on meat, saliva is produced which is good because more saliva decreases acidity in your mouth and washes away particles of food that lead to decay. Fatty fish such as salmon and tofu are loaded with phosphorus, an important mineral to protecting tooth enamel.


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Leafy greens:
Super healthy leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, and kale are rich in calcium, folic acid, and lots of important vitamins and minerals that your teeth and gums love. Add these crunchy leafy greens to your salads and sandwiches for the natural cleansing of your teeth.


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In summary

A healthy balance remains the basic.
One way to protect your teeth is by eating raw foods at the end of every meal as such foods help to cleanse teeth and massage gums while generating more saliva to wash away extra food particles left after a meal.
 As with good overall health, maintaining good dental health means eating a variety of foods from each of the five major food groups and drinking plenty of water. Eating a diet that promotes good oral health is not just about foods you eat or avoid but when you eat them as well.

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