*Balarabe, M.HDental Therapy Department, Federal School of Dental Technology & Therapy, P.M.B 01473, Enugu state, Nigeria, P.M.B 01473; 0805 222 5527; 0803 304 6651 “balarabemusahussain@gmail.com; balamus2011@hotmail.com; eloquentbally2010@yahoo.com”AbstractHealthier teeth means happier outlooks, because the teeth are important in many ways relative to chewing or mastication, facial aesthetics and speech productions, hence the importance of keeping them healthy should not be underestimated. This article discusses the human teeth; Basic tissues of a human tooth; Basic categories of human teeth; Classes of human teeth; Teeth care concept; Care and maintenance of healthy teeth; as well as Basic tips for care & maintenance of healthy teeth. And amongst these basic tips for the maintenance of healthy teeth are Starting children dental care early; Application of occlusal pits & fissure sealants; Using fluoride; Brushing twice a day; Mouth Rinsing & chewing sugar-free gum after meals; Cleaning the tongue; Using mouth guards; Avoiding smoking or using smokeless tobacco; Eating smart; as well as Making & keeping dental appointment “i.e. regular dental routine visits”. In this article, I tried to sincerely present a concise description of the basic tips that one could easily adapt & practice to ensure that the teeth are kept healthy in order to enhance its functionality & efficiency.

IntroductionThe human teeth are ornamental gift of nature, which ought to last someone’s life time. Teeth are not made of bones, but rather of multiple tissues of varying density and hardness, of which the cellular tissues that ultimately become teeth originate from the embryonic germ layer, called “the ectoderm”6. The general structure of teeth is similar across almost all vertebrates, though there are some considerable variations in form & position, being that the teeth of mammals have deep roots8. The teeth are among the most distinctive & long-lasting features of mammalian species that are deeply rooted in the jaw sockets; in which humans are diphyodont having two sets of teeth in life, in which the humans’ first set “called baby, milk, primary & or deciduous teeth” normally start to appear at about six months of age in human life; while the second set “called adult or permanent teeth” emergence into the oral cavity began at the age of 6-7 yrs in human life, as they serve to replace the first set of human dentition11.

The human teethThe human teeth are derived from the embryonic dental organ, when the embryo is about 3-4 weeks old in utero7. They are small, calcified, hard, whitish structures found in the mouth, that function significantly in the mechanical breaking down of food items placed in the mouth, in preparation for swallowing and digestion as the food items are being pushed down into the stomach4.

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Basic tissues of a human toothA human tooth is comprised of four basic tissues types of varying density and hardness, which include enamel, dentin, cementum & dentine-pulp12.

Fig. 1 Dental Tissues adapted from www.thedentalelf.neta) Enamel:This is the hardest & highly mineralized white outer part of the tooth, and a structure mostly made of Calcium Hydroxyapatite crystals12.

b) Dentine:It is a layer of mineralized connective tissue which underlines the enamel; it is described as the dental tissue that constitutes the bulkiness of the tooth containing the nerve vasculature network found between enamel or cementum and the pulp chamber13.

c) Cementum:This is a specialized bone like tissue substance that covers roots of teeth, which is located atop the root region dentine, made of connective tissue & substantial amount of nerve fibers that primarily serves to bind and stabilizes the root of the teeth firmly to the gums 18.

d) Pulp:This is the central part of the teeth filled with soft connective tissue that contain blood vessels and nerves that enter the teeth from a hole at the apex of their root17.

Basic categories of human teethThere are two basic categories of teeth in human life, which include the baby, milk or deciduous teeth and the adult or permanent teeth18.

1) The baby’s teeth: The baby’s teeth are the 1st set of teeth that erupts in the human oral cavity, whose emergence began at the age of 6th -10th month after birth; these set of teeth are usually 20 in number, 10 in the upper jaw & 10 in the mandible & are grouped alphabetically from A-E on either side of the human dental arches; with the dental formulae I- 2/2; C-1/1; M- 2/2, which are subsequently being replaced by 32 adult teeth between the ages 5 & 13 yrs12.

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Fig. 2 First set of human dentition adapted from DentAbout.com

2) The adult teeth: These are the 2nd set of human teeth, 32 in number of which 16 are found in the upper jaw & 16 in the mandible, with a dental formulae as I-2/2; C-I/1; Pm- 2/2; M-3/3 and are arranged numerically from 1-8 on either side of the midline of both the upper & lower human dental arches, whose emergence into the oral cavity began at the age of 6-7 yrs as they replace the 1st set of human teeth7.

Fig. 3 Second set of human dentition adapted from thesebonesofmine.wordpress.com 

Classes/Types of human teethThe human teeth are generally comprised of the incisors, canines, premolars and molars4.

a) The Incisors: Are positioned in front, very sharp & chisel-like, mostly used for biting.

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b) The Canines: Are situated at the corner of the jaws and are pointed for tearing. c) The Premolars & molars: Are located at the back end of the jaws with flat surfaces for

grinding of food.

Fig. 4 Types of human dentition adapted from igbiologyy.blogspot.com

Teeth care conceptThough, the teeth are the hardest structures found in human body, which besides being essential for chewing; it also plays an important role in speech. However, they can as well be subjected to a variety of problems such as dental caries or tooth decay, discolouration & etc. due to improper care2. The proper care of the teeth can only be ensured through application of good oral hygiene regimen in which case the purpose of cleaning the teeth is to remove dental plaque, which consists mostly of bacteria9. These oral hygiene regimens are such oral hygiene practices that ensure keeping the teeth & the general mouth clean in order to prevent such dental diseases like bad breathe, dental caries, gingivitis, periodontal disease and etc5.

Thus, it is imperative that the healthier these teeth are the happier one look, because the teeth are important to humans in so many ways. Besides if one takes care of them, they will as well help take care of one’s essential needs relative to chewing, mastication, aesthetics and speech productions.

Care and maintenance of healthy teethThe care & maintenance of healthy teeth in humans must start from childhood by application and practice of good oral hygiene and this should transcend into old ages16. It should encompasses both the personal home care and professional care, in which personal care must be centered about regular cleanings by tooth brushing & dental flossing usually done by individuals at home, in order to reduce the buildup of dental plaque18. Attaching significant value to care and maintenance of healthy teeth, it is imperative that individuals maintain a well-balanced diet habits that which serve to provide the minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients essential for healthy teeth and gums3.

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Basic tips for care & maintenance of healthy teethThese are essentially very significant ingredients for maintaining healthy teeth in life as well as preventing several other dental problems, which comprises of ten basic approaches19.

1) Starting children dental care early: Dental care for children should begin as soon as a child’s first tooth appears, usually around six months; by wiping the teeth with a clean, damp cloth or a very soft brush; as well as encouraging kids to try brushing for themselves at about age 2, with proper supervision10.

Fig. 5 Child dental care adapted from www.adenturesolution.com 

2) Application of occlusal pits & fissure sealants:These are thin protective coatings usually applied on teeth chewing surfaces, especially the posterior or back teeth, which are very vital in preventing decay in deeper pits and fissures of the teeth, especially as permanent molars come in around age six18.

Fig. 6 Occlusal Pits & Fissure sealants adapted from www.comprehensivedentistry.com.au

3) Using fluoride: Fluoride use is the single biggest advance in oral health that help strengthens enamel, making it less likely to decay; and though there are numerous oral hygiene products such as toothpastes and mouth rinses etc. that contain fluoride, it is recommended that it should be used sparingly especially in young children, because using too much can cause white spots on in children teeth, as well as other side effects in adults2.

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Fig. 7 Use of fluoride adapted from midtowndentistry.com 

4) Brushing twice a day:The most crucial times for brushing the teeth are in the morning “i.e. after breakfast”, in order to keep the teeth cleansed & the mouth fresh all day; and last thing at night “i.e. before one retires finally to bed” in order to have all dental plaque that might dries up at night off the teeth9. The best way to brush the teeth is by gripping the toothbrush like a pencil and placing it at a 45-degree angle against the gums and gently moving it in a circular motion, rather than a back-and-forth motion, so that one won’t scrub too hard20.

Fig. 8 Tooth brushing pattern adapted from www.teluguone.com

5) Mouth Rinsing & chewing sugar-free gum after meals:In addition to regular tooth brushing and flossing, the mouth should as well be rinsed with an antibacterial rinse as this can help prevent tooth decay and gum problems; while, chewing sugar-free gum after a meal can also protect by increasing saliva flow, which naturally washes bacteria away and neutralizes acid14.

Fig. 9 Antibacterial mouth rinse adapted from www.ladycarehealth.com 

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6) Cleaning the tongue:Using a tongue scraper every morning to remove tongue plaque is adequate enough to limit the buildup of bacteria on the tongue and also help freshens one’s breathe; because a daily tongue scraping using a tongue scraper is more effective than only brushing the tongue with a toothbrush16.

Fig. 10 Tongue cleaning adapted from www.medexpressrx.com

7) Using mouth guards:Wearing mouth guards especially while undertaking contact sporting and recreational activities, is very essential means of protecting the teeth and its surrounding supporting structures, thereby ultimately enhancing the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums in the mouth, because even though these activities help at building healthy bodies, but they can pose a threat to the teeth18.

Fig. 11 Use of mouth guards adapted from www.islandcitydental.com

8) Avoiding smoking or using smokeless tobacco:It is highly significant that avoiding tobacco smoking & or the use of smokeless tobacco is essential for the maintenance of strong healthy teeth in the mouth, because tobacco smoking stains teeth as well as it has been proven that it significantly increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer; hence if one smokes or uses chewing tobacco, one should consider quitting; and also, kids should be counseled not to start15.

Fig. 12 Avoid smoking adapted from cigarettezoom.com 

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9) Practice eating smart:It is important to know that at every age in one’s life, a healthy diet is essential for healthy body and the teeth & gums are never an exception, because they are significant component parts of the whole general human body1. The practice of eating healthy food that are good for the teeth is an essential ingredient for maintaining healthy teeth for life that should not be overlooked; and which should be encouraged right from the onset of pregnancy in order to make sure that children’s teeth get off to a good start by eating sensibly right during pregnancy, because children are particularly vulnerable to dental problems that often than not is being initiated right from the onset of pregnancy3. The basic approaches to smart eating is ensured by consuming healthy foods & drinks good for the teeth; avoiding intake of sugary foods & ensuring regular dental appointments19.

a) Consuming healthy drinks good for the teeth Some examples of healthy drinks good for the teeth are Green tea; Dairy products like Milk & Yoghurt; Water.

Green Tea: This is an essential healthy drink good for the teeth because its’ rich fluoride contents & other polyphenol antioxidants which help in reducing dental plaque formation, cavities formation & gum diseases, as well as helps inhibits bacterial growth while it strengthens the tooth enamel19.

Fig. 13 Healthy drink, Green tea adapted from www.tavatea.net  Dairy Products eg Yoghurt & Milk: Dairy foods are beneficial because of their low acidity, which reduces wear and tear on teeth. Additionally, dairy foods are high in calcium, the main component of teeth and low in sugar, that means less dental decay too & stronger healthy teeth5.

Fig. 14 Healthy drink, Yogurt adapted from www.wisegeek.com

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Fig. 15 Healthy drink, Milk adapted from www.healthguru.sg 

Water:Drinking water serves to cleanse the mouth as well as to help in the production of more saliva in the mouth that which enhances the deposition of essential minerals into the teeth18. It also helps in keeping the gums hydrated while it washes away trapped food particles from the teeth, which when left un-cleansed will decomposes in the mouth and cause bad breathe5.

Fig. 16 Healthy drink, water adapted from www.algomapublichealth.com 

b) Consuming healthy foods good for the teeth:This encompasses intake of such food as derived from either plants, animals & or from both1. Such healthy foods derived from plants that are good for the teeth comprises of fruits, vegetables, cheese, sesame seeds & etc, while the foods derived from animals includes chicken, turkey, beef meats, fish, eggs & etc. as well as avoiding consumption of refined sugary foods3.

Healthy plant fruits good for the teeth:Fruits such as apples, strawberries, kiwis & etc contain Vitamin C3. This vitamin is considered the element that holds cells together, which should not be neglected, in order to avoid the breaking down of gum cells that make gums tender and more susceptible to the bacteria that cause dental diseases such as periodontitis20.

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Fig. 17 Healthy plant fruits adapted from bestteendietsblog.blogspot.com 

Healthy plant vegetables good for the teeth:Vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes etc are crunchy foods very rich in Vitamin A3.; and this vitamin is considered as absolutely necessary for the formation of tooth enamel17, besides it is important to note that crunchy vegetables also help cleanse & stimulate gums making them healthier, thereby contributing to the maintenance of healthy teeth in the mouth5.

Fig. 18 Healthy Plant Vegetables adapted from www.divineglowinghealth.com 

Others of significant mention — “eg Onions & Celery”:

Onions:It contains antibacterial sulfur compounds helpful in maintenance of healthy teeth & gums in the mouth; and tests proved that onions kill various types of bacteria, especially when eaten raw, though it may be not so tasty to the mouth19.

Fig. 19 Healthy plant food Onions adapted from www.foodsubs.com 

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Celery:This is a plant food that helps protects the teeth, in which the extra chewing effort applied while consuming celery helps to produce plenty of saliva, which neutralizes different bacteria that causes cavities, as well as helps massages gums and cleanse between the teeth thereby keeping them healthy and clean1.

Fig. 20 Healthy plant food Celery adapted from www.naturelivings.com

Sesame seeds:These are plant seeds very rich in Calcium, and its combination in a diet with bread could help preserve the bones around the teeth & gums, as well as reduces plaque formation while the Calcium content serves to build tooth enamel especially in children18.

Fig. 21 Healthy plant food Sesame seeds adapted from healthposts.easemyhealth.com  Cheese: Cheese is an essential food good for healthy teeth, because it contains calcium and phosphate, which help balance pH in the mouth, preserves and rebuilds tooth enamel, as well as helps in saliva production, and kills bacteria that cause cavities and other gum diseases3.

Fig. 22 Healthy plant food Cheese adapted from swissfoodviet.com

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Healthy Animal foods good for the teeth: Healthy food derived from animals such as beef, chicken, turkey, and eggs etc contain phosphorus, which with calcium are two of the most vital minerals needed for the formation of teeth and bones that which also help keeps teeth stronger & healthier by protecting them from decay or caries3.

Fig. 23 Healthy animal foods adapted from www.diet-blog.com

Avoiding consumption of refined sugary foods:Refined sugary foods are special threat to the health of the teeth, because the carbonation contents in them tend to raise acid levels in the mouth, and this can affect health of the teeth & its functional integrity; avoiding the consumption of refined sugary food is very essential in maintaining healthy teeth14.

Fig. 24 No refined sugar adapted from www.notyouraveragefitnesstips.com 

10) Making & keeping dental appointment “i.e. regular dental routine visits”:Experts recommend a dental check-up every 6 months & more often if one has problems like gum disease20. It is during a routine exam that the dental therapist can remove plaque build-up that an individual can’t brush or floss away and look for signs of decay15.

Fig. 25 Making dental appointment adapted from http://www.britishdentalcentre.com

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ConclusionOral hygiene is a prime key to confidence. If one does not have healthy gums & sound teeth, then it will definitely affect the confidence that a person has. Improper cleaning technique is one major reason for most oral health problems encountered by people. It is good if one follows proper techniques to maintain standard oral hygiene & also helps preserve healthy teeth for life. One should never waste time neglecting adequate care for the teeth. Always have it in mind that what one eat and drink can cause tooth decay, so a healthy diet is important for your teeth. Besides one have so many good reasons to keep the teeth and gums healthy, amongst which include their sparkling smiles, being able to chew for good nutrition as well avoiding toothaches and discomfort, by practicing the simple ways to keep teeth strong and healthy from childhood to old age as highlighted in this presentation.

References 1. American Dental Association ADA (2013); How to make better food choices to prevent

tooth decay. Retrieved on June 28, 2013 from http://www.ada.org

2. American Dental Hygienists Association DHA (2012); American Dental Hygienists’ Association position paper on oral prophylaxis. Retrieved on April 07, 2012 from http://www.adha.org

3. American Nutrition Dietetics AND (2013); Guidelines on healthy eating habits for healthy teeth. Retrieved on June 21, 2013 from http://www.eatright.org

4. Ash, M.M., & Stanley J. N. (2003); Dental Anatomy, Physiology, and Occlusion. Retrieved on April 19, 2013 from http://www.wikihow.com

5. British Dental Council (2013); Prevention, lets your teeth healthy and shines. Retrieved on June 25, 2013 from http://www.britishdentalcentre.com

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7. Cho, S. (2007); Classification of human dentition. Retrieved on May 29, 2013 from http://www.dentabout.com/what-age-do-babys-teeth-come-through

8. Clemente, C. (2012). Anatomy, a regional atlas of the human body. Retrieved on May 10, 2013 from http://www.dentistry.leeds.ac.uk

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10. Flores, M.T.; Anderson, L. & Andreasen J.O., et al. (2007); Guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries. Retrieved on June 13, 2013 from http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/

11. Harris, E.F. (2002); Tooth Eruption in Craniofacial Growth and Development. Retrieved on April 30, 2013 from http://www.dentabout.com

12. Johnson, C. (2007); Biology of the Human Dentition. Retrieved on May, 21 2013 from http://www.besthealthmag.ca

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13. Listgarten, M.A. (2007); Histology of the teeth & Periodontium. Retrieved on April 30, 2013 from http://www.dentabout.com

14. Ophardt, C.E. (2011); Sugar and tooth decay. Retrieved on June 20, 2013 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/foods-teeth

15. Paul, V.; Beirne, I.; Helen, V.; Worthington, J.; & Clarkson, E. (2012). Routine scale and polish for periodontal health in adults. Retrieved on September 24 2012 from http://www.prevention.com/health

16. Peter, J. & Louise, C. (2009); Oral hygiene tips. Retrieved on June 16, 2013 from http://healthxtourism.com/ healthy-dental-care-tips/

17. Ross, M.H.; Gordon, I. K.; & Wojciech, P. (2003); Histology, a text and atlas. Retrieved on April 19, 2013 from http://www.wikihow.com

18. Walton, R.E. & Mahmoud, T. (2002); Keep Your Teeth Healthy and Strong. Retrieved on April 19, 2013 from http://www.wikihow.com

19. World Dental Magazine (2013); Get Healthy Teeth for Life. Retrieved on May 25, 2013 from http://worldental.org/nutrition

20. Zadik C.P. (2001); A guide to a beautiful problem free smile. Retrieved on June 01, 2013 from http://www.prevention.com

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