By Saila Sudha
Dental pain is best described this way, “Some pains are physical, some are mental; One that is both is dental! The right diet and nutrition play an integral part in ensuring strong teeth and healthy gums.
Toothache and gum disorders are caused by bacteria growing on teeth, particularly the colonies of bacteria that constantly form a sticky film known as plaque. Even a small toothache hurts a loT when you smile, frown, eat or drink, when you clench or unclench your jaw, when you move your head in any direction.
If plaque is not brushed away, the bacteria break down sugars and starches in food to produce acids, that dissolves tooth enamel. When plaque isn’t removed, it can harden, becoming rock hard. That rock called calculus is more commonly known as Tartar. Plaque and Tartar make your teeth ugly, feel ugly and gives your teeth a bad odour. So try to keep your teeth, clean and free from plaque.
Tooth care Tips:
Brushing:
Some odours can be eliminated permanently, or temporarily if you brush immediately after a meal. The main culprit in bad breath, is plaque. So brush away the plaque after each meal and get rid of some of the breath problem.Brushing at bed time plays a vital role in prevention of tooth decay.
Rinsing:
When you can’t brush you can rinse. Take a mouthful of water and rinse vigorously. If your toothache is caused by trapped food, a thorough rinse may dislodge the problem.
Certain Effective Foods For Dental Care:
Certain food and herbs are natural breath enhancers. Have a clove, fennel or anise seeds to chew after odour meals.
Mint:
Fresh leaves of mint, chewed daily is an effective antiseptic dentifrice i.e. toothpaste. The chlorophyll combined with other antiseptic chemicals in the mint, kills all the germs causing harmful odour. It strengthens the gums by providing the required nutrients and thus prevents tooth-decay, pre-mature fall of the teeth, etc. it also keeps the mouth fresh.
Apple:
Tooth-decay can be prevented by regular consumption of apples as they possess “a mouth cleansing property”. The acid of the apple also exerts an antiseptic influence upon the germs present in the mouth and teeth when it is thoroughly chewed. Apples are regarded as a natural preserver of the teeth and should be taken in all tooth roubles.
Lemon:
Lemon strengthens the gums and teeth. A glass of diluted fresh lemon juice should be taken in swollen gum condition. The squeezed lime rind should also be rubbed over the gums, before throwing it away.
Onion:
The latest research of Russian doctors has confirmed the bactericidal properties of onion. According to these findings, if a person consumes one raw onion everyday by thorough mastication helps to protect from a host of tooth disorders. Chewing raw onion for three minutes is sufficient to kill all the germs in the mouth.
Carrot:
Chewing a carrot immediately after food kills all the harmful germs in the mouth. It cleans the teeth, removes the food particles lodged in the cervices and prevents bleeding of the gums and tooth decay. Read all about the health benefits of carrot here.
Honey:
Honey is valuable in keeping the mouth healthy. It prevents the deposit of tartar at the base of the teeth and prevents decay and early falling of the teeth. Applied honey over the teeth and gums helps to keep gum in the healthy state.
Eat plenty of:
- Calcium-rich foods such as low-fat milk and milk products, green leafy vegetables.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables for vitamin c
- Raw vegetables- hard and fibrous.
Avoid excess of:
- Sweet drinks and snacks.
- Sticky food that lodge between the teeth.