Fluorine is the only element in nature which is known to reduce dental decay. In developing nations the health department insists on supplying fluoridated water to community. This is not possible in India.
So we must look for alternative to flouride supplement.
Benefits of fluoride
* Tough against bacterial acid.
* Interfere with bacteria to form acid.
* Help protect even fully formed teeth.
* Fluorides in saliva remineralize spots of decay.
Application of fluoride
Self-cure
1. Mouth rinsing with fluoride.
2. Fluoride toothpaste.
Dentist’s help
1. Prescribes tablets or gel.
2. Applies on tooth surface.
Vaccine
A vaccine for cavities and plaque may be available within the next few years. When the researchers of university of Alabama gave vaccine to mice, there was an 85 percent reduction in bacteria that cause tooth decay and plaque. The vaccine causes the salivary glands to produce antibodies against the bacteria. This will provide protection against tooth decay.
Wisdom Tooth
A failure of any tooth to come out in the line of its alignment is known as dental impaction or unemerged tooth. If third molars are impacted, it is generally designated the impaction of wisdom tooth.
May be wisdom is associated with this age—17 to 21 years old. Anthropologists state that the constantly increasing cerebrum of man enlarges his brain case at the expense of his jaws. A softer and more refined diet which requires less chewing enhances this trend, making a powerful masticatory apparatus unnecessary. Greater numbers of people have impacted teeth, for this as well as other reasons. Eventually all third molars will be lost to man followed by eons and later by the lateral incisors also. Any tooth can be impacted and if it is not in proper position and function, then the dental arch should be considered for removal. In case of ill and old patient teeth not causing pain should not be removed. A denture can be made over it.
Impacted third molars are very common. It will not give any trouble. But in some cases a partially emerged tooth causes non-alignment of neighbouring tooth . So the closure of the mouth or teeth becomes uncomfortable. The surrounding structures are affected causing swelling and tenderness of gum, foul odour and headache.
If there is no complication it can be treated by analgesics, antibiotics and warm gargle. But if the discomfort persists then X-ray of tooth taken by a dentist reveals the presence and position of tooth that has not emerged.
The removal of tooth is done under local anaesthesia by a dentist. If the case is complicated an oral-surgeon is consulted. But remember, as such there is no prevention.