If teeth are not cleaned regularly then deposits like calculus and tartar will keep on attaching to the gums and teeth thus worsening gum disease .Supporting tissues around the teeth (gum, periodontal ligament and bone) will be lost .If bone is lost it will not re-grow without surgical intervention. Pockets will be formed which trap additional plaque. This will will result also in Bad breath.

Tooth removal has absolutely nothing to do with eyesight. This is a misconception often expressed by patients undergoing tooth removal in the upper jaw. Pain in relation to the upper teeth often radiates to the cheek bone and the lower portion of the eyes therefore patients connect the two. Also teeth are removed usually in the middle and old age when the eyesight normally starts weakening.

Dentistry has come a long way from the times when treatment was done by road-side quacks. With huge advances in techniques, instruments and materials dental treatment has now become painless and a pleasant experience for all.

Bleeding from the gums is an indication for gum disease. This demands a visit to a Dental surgeon who may advise scaling, gum paints, mouthwashes etc .Sometimes the cause for bleeding may be a medical disorder.

Yes. Poor oral health may affect other parts of the body as well. Studies have now shown that people with gum diseases are more prone to heart diseases , also pregnant women with gum disease are more prone to have premature low birth weight babies.

It is often thought, as milk teeth will fall after an age and permanent teeth will take there place that there is no need to get them treated .This is a very wrong approach .Milk teeth are most valuable .They act as natural space maintainers .Early loss of milk teeth leads to an irregular arrangement of permanent teeth .Infected milk tooth may affect the development of a permanent tooth .These teeth help the child in chewing food and aid in facial development and expression.

Yes. Missing teeth may act as areas of accumulation of food leading to cavities and gum diseases .The teeth adjacent to these areas try to move into this space thus disturbing the natural arrangement of the teeth .Also inadequate pressure resulting from these areas may cause problems in the joints of the face. Removable dentures, fixed bridges and Implants are the replacement options.

Brushing for a child should start as soon as the first teeth appear in the mouth. Initially the parents should brush a child’s teeth gradually as the child grows older he should be guided to do it himself.

A diet rich in sweets and sticky foods results in a greater number of cavities.A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential for good oral health.

You should immediately rush to a dental clinic carrying the tooth in a container filled either with milk, own saliva or even contact lens solution. No attempt should be made to clean the tooth as it may damage the tissues. Most often it is possible to re-attach the tooth to the jaw so that it functions normally.

Buy tooth brushes with soft bristles. Medium and firm ones can damage teeth and gums. Use soft pressure, for 2 minutes, two times a day.

Both powered and manual toothbrushes clean teeth well. Manual brushes with mixed bristle heights or angled bristles clean better than those with all flat, even bristles. Powered toothbrushes may be easier if you have trouble using your hands.

Set a reminder to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Toss it sooner if the bristles look bent or splayed out. Bent bristles don't clean as well. (They're also a sign you may be brushing too hard.)

Most tooth pastes will clear away bacteria growth and acids from food and drinks. Toothpastes with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance always have fluoride, which strengthens and protects teeth. If you want a non-fluoride option, stores carry toothpastes and powders made with natural ingredients that don't have ADA testing and approval.

If cold or hot food or drinks make you cringe, pick a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and let your dentist know.

There's no getting around the need to get around your teeth daily with dental floss. It clears food and plaque from between teeth and under the gumline. If you don't, plaque hardens into tartar, which forms wedges and widens the space between teeth and gums, causing pockets. Over time, gums pull away and teeth loosen.

Mouthwashes for cavity protection, sensitivity, and fresh breath may help when you use them with regular brushing and flossing -- but not instead of daily cleanings. Your dentist can recommend the best type for you.

Some people need twice-daily rinses for gum health or alcohol-free washes for dry mouth.

Kids under 6 shouldn't use mouthwash to avoid the chance of them swallowing it.

Visit a dentist if you have any of these issues or see your child having trouble chewing or complaining of soreness:

• Mouth sores
• Jaw pain
• Redness
• Swollen face or gums
• Tooth sensitivity
• Broken teeth
• Dry mouth
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth

Getting checked out right away prevents more serious problems and infections.

A beautiful smile showing clean, white teeth gives a tremendous boost to your confidence. Most people experience some discoloration of teeth over the years, either from surface or extrinsic stains or internal ones. Treat stains caused by coffee, wine, tobacco and pigmented foods with at-home whitening or have a professional, in-office whitening done regularly. For intrinsic discoloration, consider composite bonding or the application of veneers to the affected teeth, which provides a more permanent solution.

Dental health varies from person to person, but the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends adult patients visit a dentist once or twice a year even if their mouth is in excellent condition. This enables you to get your teeth cleaned professionally on a regular basis and ensure that any potential problems are identified early.

It's vital that all adults engage in daily brushing and flossing, but to take your oral hygiene to the next level, follow a handful of particular steps to good dental health. These include:

• Using products that contain fluoride.
• Limiting snacks that are high in sugar.
• Eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables.

Avoiding tobacco in any form.

Your dentist takes a full set of dental X-rays early into the doctor-patient relationship. This helps to examine and record your mouth's hidden areas for issues that need comparing against changes that occur between appointments. Most adult patients have bitewing X-rays every year and a full mouth series every four to five years. But those with a higher risk for dental caries problems may need them every six to 18 months.

The best way to ensure a healthy mouth is to follow a balanced diet and visit the dentist regularly – while maintaining your oral care routine twice a day. Conditions such as diabetes or HIV/AIDS can also affect your dental health, as well as medications and certain types of chemotherapy. Protect yourself against problems that can advance quickly by discussing these dental questions with your practitioner.

Patients with tooth sensitivity feel pain when they consume items that are hot or cold, sweet or acidic. This comes from thinned tooth enamel, which doesn't protect the tooth pulp or dentin from exposure to extreme temperatures. In some patients, this may be a result of:

• Receding gums
• Tooth grinding during sleep
• Chipped or fractured teeth
• Tooth whitening
• Orthodontics and fillings

Your dentist will examine the affected teeth and recommend treatment to reduce your sensitivity.

Dental implants are the ideal way to replace missing or weakened teeth. Most adult patients are good candidates for implants because they can help to prevent the remaining teeth from moving or loosening as a result. Implants are permanent and serve as a good alternative to dentures for anyone with an otherwise healthy mouth and jaw.

Cosmetic mouthwashes such as Colgate® Total® Lasting White are aimed at freshening breath and maintaining a healthy color, but they contain fluoride to help fight cavities as well. Therapeutic rinses can also treat conditions such as gingivitis, tooth sensitivity and inflammation caused by chemotherapy. For more advanced conditions, prescription mouthwashes often contain chlorhexidine gluconate to kill bacteria that cause bleeding, inflammation and the formation of plaque.

Studies show children can develop their first cavities by two years old, so the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends booking the first visit once their first tooth erupts – or, at the latest, their first birthday. This helps your dentist catch potential problems that can affect the child's overall health and well-being as more teeth erupt over time.

Most children begin losing their baby teeth between the ages of six and eight, and they typically fall out in roughly the same order in which they erupted. Keep in mind that all patients are different. Children's and adult's oral condition depends on how long they've gone without an appointment, how long your kids' baby teeth last and even some things to which you are naturally more sensitive. With these questions queued up, you'll never be in doubt as to the state of your mouth's health.

Having stains on teeth can be a huge turnoff, and it’s a good thing you are trying to get rid of them. Stained teeth can have several causes like poor oral hygiene, consumption of tobacco and eating foods that cause yellow teeth. So, it is important to change your habits in order to have a good smile.

Certain things that one can do for whiter teeth are to eat dairy foods like yoghurt and cheese, crunchy fruits and vegetables, etc. Even switching to an electronic toothbrush can help improve your oral hygiene as well as give you whiter teeth.

Everyone brushes their teeth, but brushing with the right technique is something not everyone is aware of. To brush right, you must divide your mouth into four quadrants and spend at least 30 seconds on each quadrant. Also, it is important that you rinse your mouth properly with water after you are done brushing.

Also, it is important that you brush twice a day- since most toothpastes can fight germs for upto 12 hours.

9 out of 10 people who suffer from toothache would blame it on tooth decay or dental cavities. However, there can be other causes too like accidents or falls, misaligned or impacted wisdom teeth, gum disease, etc.

If your tooth is hurting, it is recommended that you visit a dentist who will relieve your pain with proper treatment. Also, you should make it a point to maintain proper oral hygiene in order to prevent toothache in the future.

Bad breath isn’t just bad for you, it makes life difficult for people around you as well. While there are many ways to fight bad breath, it is important to know what causes it and take necessary precautions for the same. Foods like onion or garlic are notoriously known for causing bad breath. Other items that can be responsible for it are coffee, alcohol and cigarettes.

There are many things you can do to keep bad breath at bay.Eating a healthy balanced diet, staying hydrated, washing your mouth at regular intervals, brushing right and giving up on smoking can help. Even something like chewing a gum after your meals for 20 minutes can stimulate your saliva that washes away food particles and freshen up your breath.

Replace your toothbrush when the bristles start splaying or bending, or every three months, whichever comes first.Doing this will ensure the quality of the bristles and their effectiveness of removing plaque from your teeth. It is also very important to change toothbrushes after you’ve had a cold or any contagious disease, since the bristles can collect germs that can lead to reinfection. Store your toothbrush in a place where it will dry quickly. Don’t store it in a toothbrush box, or in water after you have finished brushing. This will help it last longer.

Choosing the right toothbrush is the first step to oral care. Everyone knows brushing is important but still many people have poor oral hygiene because they choose the wrong toothbrush.

It is really necessary for good oral hygiene, since a toothbrush cannot reach certain parts of your mouth where a mouthwash can. A US research has suggested that mouthwash can beat a toothbrush in terms of clearing plaque. Also, it can really help with bad breath as it keeps your breath fresh for as long as 30 minutes after you’ve rinsed your mouth with it.

We all know that tobacco is hazardous to health. Well, it can be distressing to your smile too. Smoking or chewing tobacco can leave extrinsic stains on the enamel of the teeth. Tobacco contains many hard-to-remove staining elements that cause a gradual yellowing of teeth and mar the appearance of your teeth.

Along with that, it can also give you bad breath making you smell like an ash-tray.

Dry mouth is not a disease, it’s a symptom of other diseases like diabetes, hypertension, Parkinson’s, etc. Apart from being uncomfortable, a dry mouth can increase your risk for dental decay and fungal infections of the mouth. It can also make chewing and swallowing difficult.

While it is important to brush well regardless of whatever toothpaste you use, choose your toothpaste according to your requirements. For eg. If you have sensitive teeth, use a toothpaste that fights sensitivity. If you want to get rid of bad breath, use a toothpaste with ingredients like mint which could help you that. Similarly, toothpastes are available for gum problems and whiter teeth.

While it is ideal to brush thrice a day, brushing twice everyday for 2 minutes can be sufficient to prevent germ build up and maintain good oral hygiene.