maybe dentures -- these
are the stages in the cycle
of those white, enameled
objects in our mouths that
help us masticate food and
enjoy culinary delights.
When do they come into our
lives and how long do they
and hopefully for as long as we
live.
Mineralization begins at five
months in utero. These first set of
teeth "erupt" or begin to appear
in the mouth at six months after
birth, and the last of them erupt at
about age 3.
alization occurs through age 12.
But wisdom teeth, like renegades
in the mouth, might appear
anytime between age 21 and 60.
that begins with pregnancy.
"Adequate intake of calcium
and vitamin D by the mother is
important for mineralization, and
Vitamin A and Vitamin C are
important for tooth development,"
says Laura Saye, a dental hygiene
instructor at Kellogg Community
College's Dental Clinic in Battle
Creek.
at regular intervals, which, for
most people is once every six
months, brush twice daily, and
floss once each day or, as an alter-
native, use a tooth pick. Flossing
is critical states Saye, who recom-
mends that your technique be
observed by a dental hygienist
correctly.
healthy diet. "Frequent consump-
tion of fermentable carbohydrates
promotes decay," Saye says,
defining such items as "foods
that turn into sugar easily."
These include sweets, of course,
but also bread, pretzels, graham
crackers, and other soft foods
that stick to your teeth, as well as
soda pop. Healthy snacks include
nuts, cheese, popcorn, fruit, and
vegetables.
while keeping permanent teeth
permanently is desired, having
dentures or partial dentures still
prevents further deterioration of
the mouth and body. "Missing
teeth create gaps that cause the
remaining teeth to shift, and that
affects the way a person bites and
chews," Saye says, adding that this
situation is more likely to cause
people to eat soft foods, which
lowers immune resistance and
makes it harder for the body to
fend off disease.
DDS, in Kalamazoo, says that
modern dental procedures can
help a person retain permanent
teeth for more years than was
once the norm. She cites digital
x-rays that emit less radiation,
painless numbing and anesthetic
agents, and dental advancements,
such as whiteners, that add
aesthetic appreciation for one's
smile.
aligners to gradually shift the
position of teeth. "These are for
adults who don't want traditional
She also recommends mouth
guards for persons who engage in
sports and physical recreational
activities.
today's filling materials as more
advanced, allowing dentists to
employ more conservative forms
of treatment. "Filling compos-
ites have a better chemical bond,
which requires less drilling and
preparation of the tooth's surface,"
she says.
for gum disease and inspect the
soft tissue of the tongue, roof of
the mouth, and lips, looking for
signs of cancer. They explore for
indications of chewing problems,
such as bite marks on the inside
of cheeks, and for misalignment
of the temporomandibular joint,
the part of the facial skeleton
from which the jaw hinges to the
cranium.
dentures, dental implants are
now available that include a metal
root, surgically embedded into
the bones below the gum line, to
anchor an entire set of dentures or
a single tooth.
teeth begin as early as the age of
one. She encourages parents find
a "dental home" for their infants
and to learn how to prevent early
childhood oral maladies, such as
"baby bottle tooth decay," a term
that describes early decay caused
by prolonged contact with almost
any liquid other than water.
friendly visit" makes for a positive