Dental health is quite intriguing. There are plenty of myths around that we blindly believe and follow. Dental health is a whole science in itself and there is a lot more to it than appears so. Here are some interesting facts that an average person does not know about dental health.
• The commonly used practice of putting a cap on toothbrush is actually more detrimental. The moisture entrapped in the cap favors bacterial growth.
• You are not supposed to brush within 6 feet of a toilet. The airborne particles from the flush can travel up to a distance of 6 feet.
• 75% of the United States population suffers from some stage of periodontal gum disease.
• People who tend to drink 3 or more glasses of soda/pop daily have 62% more tooth decay, fillings and tooth loss than others.
• The first toothbrush with bristles was made in China in 1498. Bristles from hogs, horses and badgers were used. The first commercial toothbrush was made in 1938.
• Fluoridated toothpastes when ingested habitually by kids can lead to fluoride toxicity.
• You are supposed to replace your toothbrush after you have an episode of flu, cold or other viral infections. Notorious microbes can implant themselves on the toothbrush bristles leading to re-infection.
• New born babies do not have tooth decay bacteria. Often, the bacteria are transmitted from mother to baby when she kisses the child or blows in hot food/drink before feeding the baby.
Plaque is a soft sticky substance caused by bacteria and food. It forms on your teeth and causes a furry feeling. It can build up in between teeth and at the gum line and turns into calculus (or tartar) if left for long enough.
When you eat the bacteria in plaque eat too! The plaque bacteria then produce acids which can dissolve the minerals which make up the tooth and result in a hole or cavity. This process is called decay.
The acids produced by plaque not only damage the teeth but also damage the structures that hold the teeth within the jaw. When left untreated for a long time, the tooth can become mobile and eventually lost.
Other than the damage caused to the teeth and gums, oral diseases have now been linked to many diseases inother parts of the body. This makes it important to put as much care of the mouth as all other parts of our body.