Taking care of your teeth, gums, and the rest of your mouth, including the repair or replacement of defective teeth is what defines dental care. It’s common to see a person suffering from dental diseases due to carelessness and lack of knowledge of good oral hygiene.

It is said that healthy gums and teeth are extremely important to keep your entire body system healthy and sound. Lack of proper care and a regular check up with your dentist may lead to several diseases like tooth decay, gingivitis, dental plaque, periodontal disease, mouth odor, etc..

Symptoms and prevention of tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontal disease:

1. Tooth Decay: The main cause of tooth decay is an acid base chemistry or an excess amount of acid. This is associated with sugar bugs, those who regularly eat sweet without brushing right after. Symptoms: First, a white spot appears on the tooth, which will lead to an early cavity if not dealt with. Cavities will begin with a light brown color on the tooth, and gradually become darker. Prevention:
• Be sure to brush twice daily, morning and before bedtime as well as after every meal.
• Floss daily (at least once), I know it’s a chore but it’s your smile we’re talking about here. (:–)
• Consult a dentist for a regular cleaning and examination. Try to follow their recommendations.
• Make sure retainers, dentures and other appliances are clean and don’t skip their recommended cleaning procedures.

2. Gingivitis & Periodontal Disease: Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, whereas periodontal disease is the advanced stage of gum disease, which attacks the gums, bone and around the teeth. Symptoms: swollen gums, mouth sores, bright red appearance of gums and bleeding gums. Prevention:
• Brush your teeth twice daily.
• Gently floss the teeth once a day.
• Consult your dentist for further instructions.

Dental products to avoid:

There are many dental care products to avoid; these include strong antiseptic mouthwashes, bleaching agents, hydrogen peroxide, fluoride toothpastes, alcohol breath fresheners and other oral hygiene products. On the plus side they kill bacteria but also promote dental plaque which will make things worse in the end.

Products for dental care are: antioxidant tooth powder and probiotic mouthwash. Consult your dentist for the best products for your situation.

Children are more susceptible to dental problems. They are prone to eating chocolates, candies and sweets and thus get easily affected and suffer from tooth decay and other problems. So it is important for parents to know the basics of good dental care and guide your children accordingly.

These few simple steps can keep you and your family from severe pain, health hazards and will help us to keep smiling all through out the day.

Submitted by Chad McDonald to assist people needing American dental insurance or trying to find a dentist in Atlanta.

You cannot be serious!
This is how many of my patients react when I tell them that tooth decay is a stress disease. It seems so far away from stress as a concept that it sounds absurd! How can you possibly connect the rotting of teeth with this ‘stress’ idea. Stress is probably the most talked about subject in popular health literature as well as increasingly in the more academic health literature. This is for very good reason. People have rightly begun to associate levels of stress in modern times with ill-health. People have noticed that stress not only affects the quality of our lives but have also contributes to the deterioration of the quality of our health in general. ‘Stress-related’ illness has become a password for modern times, - the bane of modern living.

What is Stress?
As is common with subjects that get a lot of airing, all sorts of notions can get mixed in with the discussion and misunderstandings become very commonplace.

In one sense it is extremely difficult to define exactly what is stress. Many definitions of stress have been put forward and some have become fashionable. Unfortunately the fashionable ones, usually the most accepted, are often the least accurate.

The most obvious example of this misunderstanding is equating stress with “busyness “ or being too busy. This allows us to blame our circumstances (job, family, etc.) and we may feel we can do nothing about it. Yet we all know that it is perfectly possible to be extremely busy but perfectly at ease with our situation. Indeed we have all been in situations where although we have had a lot to do, we nonetheless feel happy and content with our lot.

Stress relates to feelings. If you are very busy, you might feel very happy that your business is flourishing. But if you are very busy and you feel that this is being caused unfairly by another who is not carrying his duties as he should, you might feel resentment at the amount of work that you are being asked to do. In both situations you are very busy but in one case you are feeling happy and in the other you are feeling deep resentment. You could say that stress is really an expression of our emotional well being. Stress then could be said to be any form of negative emotion or feeling such as fear, worry, doubt, anxiety, bitterness, regret, frustration, resentment, anger, rage etc.

And what has all that that to do with my rotten tooth, pray tell? Science tells us that the major factor in tooth decay is what they call ‘sugar frequency’. This is the number of times per day that we put sugar (sweet things) into the mouth. Each time we use sweet, the carbohydrate (sugar) is broken down into acid by the bacteria in the mouth. The acid environment thus produced tends to demineralize the enamel (or dentine) of the tooth. By repeatedly and or constantly producing the acid environment for the teeth, defects are created in the tooth surface. These defects are populated by bacteria which thrive in the acid conditions and the cavity (decaying defect) is produced. The process continues and the cavity gets bigger.

But what has that to do with stress?
Ask yourself, why do you think a person would tend to have a high frequency of carbohydrate in their daily diet? What does the scientific term ‘high frequency’ translate to, in human terms? Simply put the high frequency is a dependence, a kind of addictive behaviour or habit. The person uses sugar (sweet) as a means of comfort or reward.

Naturally then, when we are feeling upset, hurt or under pressure in some way (stressed) we are much more likely to feel the need to comfort ourselves. And obviously if sweet things are what we use to comfort ourselves then our ‘sugar frequency’ will be high. It is that simple! Such is the simple direct relationship between stress and tooth decay.

Stress (feelings of discomfort or upset) leads to increased desire for sweet things which leads to an increase in ‘frequency of carbohydrate’ in the diet and the ‘high frequency’ of carbohydrate (sugar) in the diet provides the acid conditions that allow the formation of the defects in the tooth and the initiation of the decay process.

As I said “Tooth Decay is a Stress Disease!”

My name is Philip Christie. I qualified as a Dental Surgeon at Trinity College, Dublin (Ireland) in 1980 and completed a Master’s Programme in Dental Science, again at Trinity College Dublin, by research in 1995. I have been working full time in dental care either in general practice or specialist practice since qualification. My main interest is and always has been prevention.

My real qualification is 23 years experience in dealing with real people and their problems face to face, as a clinical practitioner.

I am the author of “Something To Chew On: A Mouth Map To Health”. It is a Health Manual with a difference. Different because it is designed for the future and for success. It is different because it gives the power back where it belongs, to the person’s own self. Different because it prevents problems at source and saves on treatment and cost!

Philip.christie3@ntlworld.ie
http://www.peopleaspartnersinmedicine.com

Flossing. It is such a simple thing to do yet most people do not floss on a regular basis. Of those who do, many do not floss properly. When done properly, flossing is one of the most important things you can do to maintain the health of your teeth. This article will give you advice on how to floss correctly.

To begin, cut off a two foot section of dental floss. Take the floss and wrap one end around your middle finger of each hand. You will then use your index fingers to manipulate the floss. Slide the floss between your teeth all the way down to the gum line. Now curve the floss around one of your teeth and gently work the floss between the tooth and gum. Repeat this step on the other tooth. Now pull the floss out and repeat this process between all of your teeth changing to a new clean section of floss as you go.

That’s it. It is simple but most people fail to wrap the floss around the tooth and simply go up and down between their teeth. This misses quite a bit of the debris that you need to clean out. Remember to floss your teeth once a day, preferably before bedtime, and you will greatly reduce your chance of developing gum disease and cavities. If you find it difficult to floss in the traditional way, you can also now buy preloaded floss on disposable sticks. This makes it even easier to floss your teeth. Now there are no excuses to not floss.

The author runs a website helping people find Dentists. Learn about teeth, dental health and cosmetic dentistry.

Despite some recent success with the prevention of tooth decay, it still remains a significant problem in children. Tooth decay can start early; in fact, you need to be able to spot and help prevent it right from the time your baby first starts teething.

So, what exactly is tooth decay and what are its causes? Tooth decay is caused by bacteria (germs) that find a home in the sugars can build up on your child’s teeth. Germs need three things t flourish; food, water and warmth – all of which are found in plentiful supply in your baby’s mouth. Over time, these bacteria dissolve the enamel, or outer layer, of the tooth. This damaged area is called a cavity.

Primary teeth are usually called baby teeth or milk teeth and first start to erupt through the gums of your baby between 4 to 6 months of age. Teething lasts until all 20 teeth appear, the children being usually around 2 ½ years of age by this time. Teething is a major milestone in the development of your child but it is also, quite often, a painful one. The eruption of primary teeth, or teething, can cause sore and tender gums that appear red and puffy. To help relieve the pain, you can give the baby a cold teething ring or a damp washcloth to chew on. My mother used to give me a cold carrot stick to suck on.

If you’re bottle-feeding you need to be more aware of tooth decay - most often called baby bottle tooth decay. One reason bottle-fed babies are more prone to tooth decay rather than those who are breastfed is due to the sugars found in milk formula, although the sugar levels in today’s formulas are markedly less then they used to be. However the biggest contributor to baby bottle tooth decay is the practice of putting baby to bed with a bottle, which he can suck on for hours. Yet another cause of decay is the use of pacifiers; a personal hate of mine! Not only does the use of pacifiers dipped in sugar exacerbate decay, it makes babies look most unattractive.

In summary, when you bottle-feed you must be more aware of how your child can contract toot decay and on how to prevent it. The American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry has developed the following guidelines for preventing baby bottle tooth decay:

• Don’t allow a child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juices, or other sweet liquids. Never let a child walk with a bottle in her mouth.

• Comfort a child who wants a bottle between regular feedings or during naps with a bottle filled with cool water.

• Always make sure a child’s pacifier is clean, and never dip a pacifier in a sweet liquid.

• Introduce children to a cup as they approach 1 year of age. Children should stop drinking from a bottle soon after their first birthday.

By simply following the above recommendations you’ll help prevent baby bottle tooth decay and alleviate a lot of discomfort for your baby. You’ll also get the added bonus of making your baby’s smile even more beautiful.

Robin O’Brien is a successfully webmaster and founder of http://www.bottle-feeding-baby.com where he provides help, support and advice. You can visit his site to find out more on baby bottle tooth decay and other issues to do with bottle feeding baby.

Did you know there is more to Orthodontia than having straight teeth when the treatment is finished? The orthodontist knows if the teeth aren’t straight at the completion of a case, the patient will not be very happy. I’ll write more on that in just a minute.

Did you know the American Association of Orthodontics recommends age seven for the initial orthodontic evaluation? In the past, orthodontic treatment was often postponed until the adolescent years, when all the permanent teeth had erupted. It is now known that many orthodontic problems can be treated earlier and much easier by working with the growth that takes place in younger children.

Although treatment may not begin at this young age, an early examination allows orthodontists to monitor your child’s dental development to determine the best time to start. Early detection can sometimes reduce the need for removal of permanent teeth. And because younger children are more enthusiastic and cooperative, total treatment time is often reduced. Additionally, if a child has a habit such as, finger or thumbsucking or a tongue thrust when he or she swallows, it is best to stop these habits much sooner than later. In many cases, positive orthodontic results can be achieved which would not otherwise be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

If the child’s teeth are not ready for braces, an orthodontist should have a Pre-Orthodontic Guidance Program in place. The patient will be seen every 6, 9 or 12 months at no cost to you. This allows the orthodontist to monitor growth, maturity and eruption of teeth. If primary teeth need to be extracted or if adult teeth are erupting in a way to cause problems, the orthodontist can be proactive.

It is often said in medicine, to the cardiologist, time is muscle. For the orthodontist, moving teeth is slow business. Having straight teeth is almost always the desire of the patient. Sometimes there is a desire to have diastemas or spaces closed. Teeth spaced tightly together or crowded in the arch can create periodontal problems just as teeth improperly spaced can cause food impaction thus resulting in periodontal disease.

The overall objective of the orthodontist is for proper jaw-joint function and long-term dental health. When these objectives have been met, the teeth are straightened to give an aesthetically pleasing look and cosmetic benefit. If there is too much space to close, sometimes-cosmetic bonding is required after orthodontic treatment to give the patient that award-winning smile.

Having sold ethical and proprietary pharmaceuticals in the past, I recall many negative side effects. In Orthodontia, this is not the case with a very qualified and experienced orthodontist. Get a referral. Usually the first referral made by your dentist is the one of choice. Just so you’ll know, a referral by your dentist is not required for a patient to have an orthodontic evaluation. In this instance, a referral from friends, co-workers, neighbours or friends of your child is an excellent start. The orthodontist will work closely with your dentist. You will be informed to continue visits to your dentist every 6 months for routine cleanings and checkups. This is of greater importance and imperative while wearing braces!

Everyone deserves an award-winning smile like that of Julia Roberts! Schedule a smile evaluation for your child or yourself! The consultation should be at no cost to you! You can then look forward to a beautiful and healthy "side effect" …straight teeth!

© 2006 Avis Ward of AWard Consulting, Inc.

Avis Ward is a Consultant to Dental Healthcare Professionals specializing in Case Acceptance and Marketing. More information about Avis can be found here: http://aviswardconsulting.com/

“As dental professionals, our wish for all children is to grow up cavity free” according to Socorro, New Mexico dentist Ginger Bratzel D.D.S. The American Dental Association has promoted this concept with many programs throughout the years and will continue to do so. February is “Children’s Dental Health Month” and with programs like the “Give Kids a Smile”, it is our professional opportunity to promote awareness, project dentistry in a positive light, and see kids who have not been getting regular dental care. The basis of all these programs is educating parents, Bratzel says. Despite all the efforts made by the dental community, cavities are still occurring and are wide spread among children and teens. It doesn’t have to be this way.

The thing that makes the biggest impact is the role of the parents getting involved in their child’s health and well being. Here’s a list of 9 things you need to know to raise a cavity free kid.

9. Make dental visits a positive experience. As a parent, don’t influence your child with you own hang ups about dental care. Routine dental visits at our office aren’t uncomfortable so there is no need to share your past experiences and issues with your child. Even a well intentioned parent might think she is helping by “letting the kids know what’s going to happen”. With our ever advancing technology, the childhood dental visits you knew are long gone. We have special terms and methods to prepare your child BEFORE we do anything so there won’t be any surprises. We can make this a wonderful experience for your child.

8. Children need to be seen young before dental problems start. The American Dental Association recommends that your child be seen at age 1 for an exam. If your child has not had a cleaning and exam by age 3, you are way behind. It is important to check things early and set up a positive dental experience from the start. That is precisely how our office works. This is our opportunity to show your child that this can be fun and set them up to be cavity free.

7. Proper tooth brushing at home. Children should have their teeth brushed twice a day for 1-2 minutes. Because young children lack the fine motor control to do a proper job, Mom or Dad needs to brush your child until they can do it themselves. If they don’t have the hand coordination to write, they won’t have the skill level to brush well either. Do let them play with the toothbrush during brushing time so they can practice but Mom and Dad are responsible for doing the final brush and making sure the teeth are clean.

6. Keep those teeth clean as soon as they appear. Children vary when they get their baby teeth. Some are born with teeth while it is not unusual for a child to be one year old and get his first tooth. BUT, as soon as the first tooth appears, it needs to be cleaned after any food or drink (other than water). With a wet, soft wash cloth over your finger, wipe the teeth off on the inside and outside as well as the top. No toothpaste is necessary. So if you are breast feeding, the teeth still need to be cleaned because cavities can start. JUST KEEP THEM CLEAN. Once the first teeth appear, NO SLEEPING WITH A BOTTLE WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN WATER. When nighttime or naptime bottles are used, that formula, milk, or juice becomes sticky and stays on the teeth. This is toxic to the teeth and cavities will start very easily.

5. Eat a healthy well balanced diet. It is common knowledge what things are good for our body and that goes for our teeth as well. It is no coincident that in today’s society, childhood obesity and the number of cavities are on the rise. If sweets are going to be consumed, this should be done in moderation and eaten during the mealtime to minimize the effects. We all love sweets so it is difficult to make them off limits. Unhealthy snacks like potato chips and fries can be just as destructive as sweets, also. Be smart and a little common sense goes a long way.

4. SODA! In recent years the incidence of cavities in kids and teens has skyrocketed. With the invention of the Big Gulp and the Super Sized Cokes, this creates an opportunity to sip these beverages all day long. From the teeth’s standpoint, that keeps them in a state of constant acid attack and prone to breakdown, therefore starting cavities. Just like with sweets, common sense rules. If drinking these beverages, do it at meal time only.

3. Sealants. These thin plastic resin fillings cover the deep grooves and makes it harder for cavities to start. But the key is to get your child in early and followed every 6 months so those permanent teeth can get sealed as soon as each one of them appears.

2. Seeing the dentist every 6 months and keeping up with those appointments for life.

1. BE THE ROLE MODEL. “Talk the talk and walk the walk”. At the beginning of this article, I told you that parents play the biggest role in their child’s oral health. If you don’t go to the dentist every 6 months also, get all your dental work done, and project a positive image, then don’t expect your child to do so either. Like it our not, they are looking at you.

Ginger Bratzel D.D.S. is a general dentist is Socorro, New Mexico. She is former state president of the NM Academy of General Dentist and a Fellow of the American Academy of General Dentist. Dr. Bratzel is in private practice and specialized in comprehensive dentistry in this rural area. Her office can be contacted at http://www.SocorroDentist.com

Tooth Decay is a slow process resulting in dental cavities or dental caries. This tooth decay normally occurs when disease causing bacteria slowly makes a kind of acid that entirely eats away at a tooth. This may even cause infection like tooth loss if not treated properly.

Tooth decay can be easily prevented by regular flossing and brushing your teeth, and by consulting your dental surgeon for cleaning and check ups, also by avoiding taking foods that are very high in sugar

Causes of Tooth Decay

Combination of food and bacteria causes tooth decay. Clear substance which is sticky in nature called plaque, containing disease causing bacteria always forms on your gums and teeth as this disease causing bacteria feed in the food that you eat with high sugar content, this creates acid to destroy the teeth. 20 minutes after eating this acid will start attacking your teeth and over a period of time acid will completely destroy the tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay.

Tooth Decay Symptoms

This Tooth decay normally does not cause any kind of symptom unless and until you have an infected tooth or if you have dental cavity. Toothache is the normal symptom appears for an infected person.

Tooth Decay Diagnosis

Tooth decay diagnosis can be done by your dentist by various ways.

They are as

By taking X rays of your mouth and teeth.

Using small mirror and pointed tool, examining your teeth.

By asking your past medical and dental problems.

Tooth Decay Treatment

This treatment completely depends on how bad your tooth condition is. By using fluoride even you may be able to completely reverse tooth decay. Your dental surgeon may use a filling to fix cavities that are caused by mild tooth decay. You may need a root canal for severe tooth decay and in extreme cases your dental surgeon may finally have to remove your affected tooth. This process is experimental wise more similar to tooth decay diagnosis treatment procedure.

Anant has been writing article for past 2 years on various topic like health, finance, education, sports, and other topics. Visit edentalcare.blogspot.com to know more about tooth decay diagnosis, tooth decay and more dental related issues.

Sweet childhood is often associated with sweet candies - chocolate candy, candy cane or candy bar. Parents are very concerned about the cavities resulting from eating candies. Medical researches have shown that teeth health begins with proper eating habits and not necessarily with the avoidance of sweets. The clue is getting the balance right. When it comes to choosing the food for your kids, consider sweet candy as part of their diet and teach them to keep healthy teeth by not eating excessive amount of candy. Sweet candy plays a part in tooth decay. It is recommended to limiting candy bars and hard candy intake during the day, and never after brushing their teeth at bedtime to avoid microorganisms working on their mouth by night. Effective teeth caring requires children brush their teeth twice a day - one in the morning and one before the bed.

Consuming sweets with sugar free substitute is also good for the teeth. Xylitol is a sugar free substance that can be found in almost anything, from berries to corn and mushrooms. Due to its natural consistency, it also is used to prevent dental problems, heal cavities, and reduce plaque. Xylitol stops the acid attack that occurs inside your mouth. Xylitol also protects the enamel of the teeth. If kids were to take Xylitol instead of actual sugar, their teeth would be much healthier. Xylitol gum is a natural remedy product for preventing cavities and healing other teeth diseases. It tastes good and won‘t cost you’re a arm and leg either. Many people have tried out Dr. Christopher’s Herbal Tooth and Gum Powder.

The American Dental Association has been very actively involved in educating both parents and children for healthy eating habits. Its official website hosts animations and games aimed to teach children how to brush teeth and other fundamentals of oral health care. The damage from eating chocolate candy, candy cane, hard candy and other sweet is significant in the long run if teeth brushing routine and cleaning is not practiced regularly. Many dentists recommend changing the taste and appearance of toothpaste on a regular basis to encourage kids to brush teeth often and longer. With flavored toothpaste, children like to brush twice every day and do it for longer periods of time because of association of the taste with sweet candy. Appropriate brushing prevents gum disease, cavities and other dental health issues caused by the consumption of a candy bar or chewable hard candy. Healthy eating habits contribute to healthy teeth, because the snacks that kids eat are basically made of sweet candy. The more they eat the more risk of leading to formation of cavities.

Natalie Aranda writes on health and fitness. Sweet childhood is often associated with sweet candy - chocolate candy, candy cane or candy bar. Parents are very concerned about the cavities resulting from eating candies. Medical researches have shown that teeth health begins with proper eating habits and not necessarily with the avoidance of sweets. The clue is getting the balance right. Xylitol is a sugar free substance that can be found in almost anything, from berries to corn and mushrooms. Due to its natural consistency, it also is used to prevent dental problems, heal cavities, and reduce plaque.

Your teeth might not seem that important when you’re young, the thought of getting older and losing your teeth or having an ugly yellow gummy smile seems far too remote to even think about. Going to the dentist is just a hassle, there are far better things to do with your time and a visit to the dentist is way down on your list of priorities.

Wrong! Regular visits to the dentist, for routine checkups, remedial dental care and dental hygiene sessions, is equally important for babies, children and adults alike. At no point can it be said that a visit to the dentist is a waste of time when considering the importance of your teeth.

As early as one year of age your dentist will be able to add value to the health of your baby’s teeth by checking that their teeth are cutting through properly and are correctly spaced and that there are no problems with your baby’s gums. Many parents discount these early visits as a total waste of time under the incorrect and misguided assumption that the way baby teeth grow has no impact on adult teeth.

The lack of adequate dental care in young children means that currently over 25% of children under four years of age (in the USA) have cavities in their teeth! One strong reason to make sure you stick to the routine of taking your children to the dentist every six months from the age of one year.

For children, it’s important that they learn all about the need for correct dental care. Parents banging on about cleaning and flossing teeth can go in one ear and out the other but learning all about the correct way to care for teeth, and the consequences if you don’t, from the dentist and dental hygienist can make all the difference.

The thought of going to the dentist can be quite daunting for many children especially those who have had a bad experience so it’s important that your children get used to the dentist from a very young age and that you choose your family dentist wisely.

Try and find a dentist who specialises in the care of children’s teeth although that doesn’t always mean that the dentist is right for your family. A recommendation from other mothers is often a good starting point and one way of checking how careful and patient a dentist is likely to be with your children is to go for a check up yourself.

A good dentist shouldn’t mind answering any questions or allaying any concerns you might have over taking your child to the dentist. Find out how your dentist is going to work with your child to make sure they are comfortable sitting in a dentist chair and how they are going to track and monitor the ongoing development of your child’s teeth.

The dentist you choose now will directly influence the condition of your child’s teeth in years to come so it’s worth putting in a little effort to make sure you get the best possible family dentist.

For more about dental care visit http://www.1st-4-teeth.com

Oral hygiene is very important for overall health and well-being. It also plays a major role in the transmission of body language on a social level too. You must care for your teeth throughout your life in order for your teeth to be at their best and your breath to be fresh.

Teeth:

Teeth are very responsive to their environment and are made up of incisors (biting teeth), molars (grind and break down food) and wisdom teeth (no clear purpose). Each tooth consists of enamel (hard, no living cells), dentine and pulp cavity (contains a network of nerves giving teeth its sensitivity).

Plaque is one of the greatest threats to oral health. Plaque is a sticky substance containing millions of bacteria. This forms when sugar in your diet reacts with plaque bacteria to form an acid. This acid then reacts with the calcium in your enamel, forming decay holes. This needs to be filled by your dentist. If your oral hygiene is inadequate, then plaque bacteria multiply and a condition called gingivitis may occur. This is an inflammation of the gum where it meets the tooth. You will know you have gingivitis if your teeth bleed when you brush them. If you have gingivitis, it is important to brush your teeth gently twice daily. If you gingivitis persists, visit your dentist for treatment, as this condition can lead to periodintitis. Periodintitis is a serious inflammation that spreads to the tooth socket, with a risk of losing the tooth.

Bad breath:

Bad breath is a common problem which often comes from the activity of bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria form especially on the tongue, therefore a tongue scraper is the best tool to use to combat this condition. It is a disposable U-shaped plastic tool with tiny ridges on the side which is very easy to use and it will help clear away any left-over food and odour-causing bacteria that have settled on your tongue. Starting at the back of your mouth, gently drag the scraper two or three times, rinsing it between each pass. Follow up by drinking a glass of water to rinse out any remaining bacteria in your mouth.

Brushing teeth:

Regular, effective brushing of the teeth is the mainstay of a healthy oral care routine. Once in the morning and once in the evening before going to bed will keep oral enemies at bay. The routine for effective tooth brushing are as follows:

-Tooth brushing should be at least three minutes long.

-Initial brushing should be with small circular movements, with the brush at a 45 degree angle to the teeth

-Teeth should be cleaned vertically - not from left to right as this can damage the gums - , to clear away the plaque.

-Take care to brush the inside surfaces as well, which is often forgotten.

Toothbrushes with soft or medium brushes are recommended and it is essential not to share your toothbrush with any other person (viruses can be spread this way). Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months or when the bristles of the brush are getting damaged. Fluoride is an important ingredient which is need in your toothpaste, as it encourages the uptake of calcium to demineralised enamel.

Flossing is important for oral health because it removes food matter that accumulates between the gaps in your teeth. If it is left there, it decomposes and causes bad breath.

Mouthwash is also an essential part of oral health maintenance. It can be effective against bad breath, stubborn food particles and generally refreshes the mouth. Chewing gum after eating stimulates saliva production which neutralises the acid in the mouth. Ensure that the chewing gum is sugar-free.

Whitening teeth:

For those with discoloured teeth, professional bleaching by a cosmetic dentist is a way to achieve bright white teeth. For mildly discoloured teeth, whitening formulas are often effective (which are non-peroxide whitening systems).

Straightening out teeth:

If your teeth are particularly crooked, orthodontic treatment can help. For teeth that are only marginally crooked, porcelain veneers can be applied to even out the tooth line. Veneers can also be used to fill a gap between the front teeth, to regulate a discoloured tooth, to correct a chipped tooth or create a straighter finish to teeth that require slight re-alignment. Veneers are rarely available on the NHS and are expensive.

Remember your smile is one of your most beautiful natural assets, and now you know how to perfect it!

Shashi Gossain is a Pharmacist, a Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and a Member of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists. She owns the PharmaClinix Health and Beauty Clinic in London. Using the latest scientific research in the beauty industry, she created the PharmaClinix.com range of cosmeceutical creams, available online, and has written “The Ultimate Anti-Ageing Book.” To learn more about the book and products, call 020 8969 0063. Shashi has launched two specialist Introduction Services for Indian Professionals and Professional Muslims Worldwide