How much do you know your teeth?

Most people take their teeth for granted till something bad happens. Our teeth play a big role in helping us digest and chew food, as well as speak. According to dentist Baltimore, by brushing up on your knowledge of your pearly whites, you’ll be taking the first step toward giving your oral cavity the attention it deserves.

Teeth development:

Humans develop two sets of teeth in their life time, primary teeth and permanent teeth that grow in stages. Even though the timing is different, development of every set of teeth is the same:

1. Similar teeth erupt in parallel, i.e., the top molar on the left side and the top molar on the right will grow at the same time.
   
2. Development of your tooth begins long before the first tooth becomes visible. For example, an infant’s tooth first appears when he or she reaches six months of age, but the development of the teeth starts during the second trimester of pregnancy.
   
3. The tooth’s crown forms first and roots keep developing even after the tooth has come out.

The various parts of the tooth:

There are two basic parts of a tooth: the crown, which is the white, noticeable part, and the root, which is the invisible part. The root spreads below the gum line and secures the tooth with the jaw bone. Your teeth comprise of four different types of tissues, each performing a different function. 

1. Enamel. The visible substance covering the tooth crown is the enamel. Tougher than bone, enamel helps in protecting the tooth from any decay. Enamel is a mix of calcium and phosphorous.
   
2. Dentin. You will find dentin under enamel, which is calcified and looks like the bone. Dentin is softer than enamel, so it is prone to decay in case the enamel wears off.
   
3. Cementum. Cementum covers the root of the tooth and helps in anchoring it into the bone. It is softer than dentin and enamel. One of the best ways of protecting this softer tissue from any decay is by taking proper care of the gums. Cementum has a yellow color and is normally protected by the gums. However, with improper dental care, gums shrink and become diseased, exposing the cementum to destructive bacteria and plaque.
   
4. Pulp. You will find pulp at the tooth’s center containing the nerves, blood vessels, and other soft tissues that deliver nutrition and signals to the teeth.

Your mouth is important. Do not take your teeth or oral health for granted. For keeping good dental health, brush and floss your teeth regularly, don't smoke, eat a healthy diet

Anxiety and dental treatments

A lot of people find it scary to go to the dentist. The very thought can create such a fear that they completely avoid getting the oral care they need, complicating the situation further.

What is dental anxiety?

The paralyzing fear of going to a dentist or getting oral treatments is known as dental anxiety. The patient worries excessively and loses sleep. Dental anxiety is extremely common, with millions of people avoiding going to the Baltimore dentist because of fear.

Overcome dental anxiety:

Here are a few strategies that can help you calm your fears:

1. Communicate with the dental expert. Talk to your dentist. If you are worried about something or a certain procedure, come right out and speak to the dentist about it.
   
2. Get distracted. Some clinics offer video glasses to patients so that they watch movies during their dental treatments. Listening to music, watching television, or just letting your mind drift can help in easing anxiety.
   
3. Consider medication. If you are undergoing a dental treatment that involves anesthesia, you must rest assured that anesthesia these days is extremely effective in comparison to what it was in the past. For certain patients, a nitrous oxide or sedative can also help in calming the nerves.
   
4. Take breaks during dental treatments. Patients should take breaks during procedures, when nervousness starts to build up or they begin to feel claustrophobic. If you feel like taking a break in between the procedure, do so.
   
5. Sedation dentistry. In certain Baltimore family dentistry, dentists practice sedation dentistry where the patients get dental care under complete or partial loss of consciousness. Most patients don't require sedation dentistry, but those whose anxiety is severe can avail this facility.

As human beings, we have a tendency to fear the unknown, so do not be hesitant of asking questions before a treatment and make sure that the dentists do everything they can to make you feel relaxed during the visit. Undergoing regular dental care is important to your oral health, and is worth all the effort.