Calcium is a mineral that most people think about in relation to bones.  Teeth and dental health are also closely related to calcium.  Teeth are bones that are more dense than the rest of your skeletal bones.  You need to make sure that you have enough calcium when your teeth are developing and throughout your life as your teeth continue to grow and need calcium.

As an infant and youth, you will need calcium for your teeth to fully develop.  About one third of your body's bones and teeth are made of calcium.  A shortage of calcium and effect how well your teeth develop.  Your last teeth are developing as late as your early twenties.  Milk and dairy products are nature's most concentrated source of calcium, so two to three servings a day help supply the necessary calcium for building strong, dense bones.  Hence, you will want to receive a healthy supply of calcium during year development years.

After all of your teeth are in, you will want to maintain your calcium intake because calcium may also help protect them against decay.  Bones are living tissue and will need to be taken care of properly.  During your development years calcium is deposited in them.  After this period you will no longer have calcium deposited in these bones, but you will want to make sure your body doesn't want for calcium in other areas and need to pull the calcium from your teeth or bones.

A lot of people do not get enough calcium in their diet.  The body will automatically leech calcium from your bones in order to make up for this deficiency.  Teeth are part of your bones and they will also be leeched for their calcium.  When this happens, you are more likely to get cavities and to have trouble with your teeth.

Many people take some type of calcium supplement in order to prevent these things from happening.  You will find many types of calcium supplements in your grocery or drug store.  Not all vitamins are created equal, so you may want to do a little research to find which calcium supplements will be most beneficial.  Vitamin D will help your body absorb the calcium better.  If the body is able to absorb enough calcium, then you may be able to prevent most of the bone loss in your body.

Weight bearing activities will cause new bone tissue to form, which makes bones stronger.  This kind of physical activity also makes muscles stronger.  When muscles push and tug against bones during physical activity, bones and muscles both become stronger.  Weight-bearing activities are those that keep you active and on your feet so that your legs carry your body.  Hence, swimming may be good exercise, but does not build bones.

This logic is also true for your mouth.  You must use your jaw bones and muscles to build them properly.  Calcium is important for you entire skeleton and that includes your jaw.  When a person loses their teeth and begin to wear dentures, jaw will begin to shrink because it is no longer being used in the same weight-bearing activities.  Hence, you will need to continue to use your jaw and teeth in order to keep them healthy. 
 
In summary, calcium is essential for a strong jaw and teeth.  You will need to make sure that you are your family have enough calcium during the development years and enough calcium to prevent any leeching from the bones.  Calcium can also help prevent tooth decay and will be a great asset in providing a healthy smile.  Many people decide calcium supplements are needed to get the proper minerals in their diet.

Preventing bone loss is important to your entire skeleton, but it is also very important to your mouth.  Your mouth is full of teeth which are also bones.  When you are losing bone mass you are also losing calcium from your teeth.  Hence, if you allow yourself to have bone loss, you most likely have problems with your teeth.

If you're not getting enough calcium in your diet, over time your body will have to use the calcium stored up in your bones and teeth in order to make up for the shortfall.  Slowly and silently, your bones and teeth will become less dense and more brittle.  You may also have more tooth decay than normal.

Osteoporosis is the disease you get when you lose too much bone mass.  Your bones literally become hollow.  Your teeth will do the same thing.  The two ways that you can get osteoporosis is by not getting enough calcium deposited in your bones during your development years or by having bone loss too quickly once you get into the bone loss years.  This is why consistent calcium intake is so important.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) recommends that you can build bone strength and maintain bone health by:
1.    Eating a balanced diet with lots of calcium and Vitamin D.
2.    Living a healthy lifestyle, exercising, and not smoking or drinking to excess.
3.    Getting bone density tests and taking treatment as recommended by your doctor.

Calcium intake is clearly important.  Many people find it necessary to take calcium supplements.  NOF recommends coral calcium as the best source of calcium intake.  Coral calcium is more bio-available than other supplements or dietary calcium.  Since fossilized coral calcium is ionic, it gets into your bloodstream more easily, and your body can direct it to build bone strength or replenish bone calcium deficits.

Vitamin D helps your body absorb the calcium better.  Hence, you will want to make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D in your diet.  Vitamin D comes from milk, cod liver oil, fish, and shellfish — but you have to make sure you get some sun for the Vitamin D to be activated and work together with the calcium in your body.  So, it is recommended coral calcium supplements that contain Vitamin D to help with calcium absorption.

Women are most often the victim of osteoporosis.  However, men are not exempt and many millions suffer from this disease.  Do not think that you are not at risk of developing osteoporosis.

Because it is hard to replace bone that is lost, prevention is key.  Beginning a lifelong commitment to exercise and healthy nutrition while you are still young will reduce your risk of developing this condition later in life.  Remember, you are never too young to think about preventing osteoporosis.

For women, exercise increases bone mass before menopause and helps to reduce bone loss after menopause.  Bone strength increases with regular exercise and to help prevent bone loss weight-bearing exercise such as walking, low-impact aerobics, or tennis work best.

If you feel that you are at risk for osteoporosis, talk with you physician.  You physician may order a bone density scan which is a simple and painless tool that measures bone density.  Women who do not take estrogen after menopause have other options for preventing osteoporosis including drugs such as calcitonin which slows bone loss.  Your physician can help you determine what is best for you.

In summary, you are never too young or old to work at preventing bone loss.  A good healthy diet and exercise is your best methods to build and maintain bone mass.  Additionally, calcium supplements with vitamin D are recommended to make sure you get enough calcium to prevent bone and calcium loss in your teeth.

You can prevent the need for dentures.  The best way to prevent ever needing dentures is to take care of your teeth now.  Gum disease can eventually lead to tooth loss.  More than 75 percent of Americans over 35 have some form of gum disease.  Also, 60% of Americans between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth.  Gum disease at its worst, may cause you to lose your teeth.  The bottom line is if you want to keep your teeth and never wear dentures, you must take care of your gums.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can be prevented if you understand what it is and what its symptoms are.  Gum Disease is an infection in the gums surrounding the teeth.  Gum disease is also one of the main causes of tooth loss among adults.  There are two major stages of gum disease: Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

Regular dental exams will be important for diagnosing gum disease in its early stages. 
Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease.  Additionally, it can be treated and reversed if diagnosed early enough.  The signs and symptoms of gingivitis are red, swollen and puffy gums that bleed easily.  If you do not recognize and receive treatment for gingivitis in its early stages it can lead to periodontitis.

Periodontitis: Periodontitis is more serious and when it becomes advanced it can result in bone loss and this loss is not reversible.  The gum tissue and bone surrounding the teeth could become seriously damaged and the teeth affected could become loose and fall out. 

Some symptoms of gum disease are:
-    You may experience frequent bad breath
-    Also red and swollen gums that bleed easily
-    You may have loose teeth
-    A change in your bite may be an indicator
-    Lastly, a change in the way partials or dentures fit

By practicing good dental hygiene, you may prevent getting gum disease.  The following procedures can help you:

1.  Brush your teeth twice a day.  Brushing your teeth is your best defense against gum disease.  Plaque will build up during the day and will need to be removed by brushing.  Plaque that is not removed will turn into calculus.  Plaque will cause tooth decay and leads to gum disease.

2.  Make sure that you use a tooth with fluoride.  Fluoride is a good way to prevent tooth decay.

3.  Flossing is the only way to reach the spaces between you teeth to remove plaque.  Floss your teeth at least once a day.  Your toothbrush does not reach all of the spaces between your teeth. 

4.  An antimicrobial mouth wash will also provide an extra layer of protection against plaque.  You can choose from a variety of flavors, but they should be approved by the American Dental Association.

5.  Last, you will want to maintain regular visits to your dentist.  Your dentist will be able to see and recognize issues early on and help you prevent gum disease.  A dentist will be able to tell if you are properly brushing and flossing.  If you are not, they can identify this and teach you the best ways to do so.

In summary, most people acquire some type of gum disease as they get older which is the number one reason for the loss of teeth and hence the use of dentures.  With proper care and attention you can prevent or greatly reduce your chances of developing gum disease.  As always brushing and flossing daily will be key in your dental hygiene efforts.  You should practice good oral hygiene and regularly visit your dentist.

Preventive dental cleanings and annual exams during pregnancy are not only safe, but are recommended. However, not all types of dental work are approved and some should wait for after the birth.  You may find that you are in pain or have your health threatened by some dental problems.  All issues should be consulted with your dentist and obstetrician to make sure that the baby is not harmed or put at risk.

The rise in hormone levels during pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food causing increased irritation to your gums.  Preventive dental work is essential to avoid oral infections such as gum disease, which has been linked to preterm birth.

Cavity fillings and crowns are considered dental work that should be treated to reduce the chance of infection.  The second trimester is considered ideal for this work to be done if done during a pregnancy.  Once you reach the third trimester, it may be very difficult to lie on your back for an extended period of time.

If possible, your safest course of action is to postpone all unnecessary dental work until after the birth.  However, emergency dental work such as a root canal or tooth extraction is may be necessary.  In these cases you should make sure your dentist knows that you are pregnant before you schedule the appointment.

Optional or elective treatments, such as teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures, should be postponed until after the birth.  It is best to avoid exposing the developing baby to any risks, even if they are minimal.  Some of the newer procedures have not been around long enough for all of the implications to be understood.  It is best to not take chances and wait until after the birth of your baby.

You will find that medications are one of the higher risks of dental work during a pregnancy.  Currently, there are conflicting studies about possible adverse effects on the developing baby from medications used during dental work.  Lidocaine is the most commonly used drug for dental work.  Lidocaine does cross the placenta after administration.

If you find that dental work is necessary, the amount of anesthesia administered should be kept to a minimum, but still you need to make sure that you are comfortable.  If you experience pain, then you need to request additional numbing.  The amount of stress on you and the baby needs to be kept at a minimum and this is accomplished by keeping you comfortable.  You don't want to try and do the procedure without anesthesia because it could cause the baby a lot of stress.

Dental work often requires antibiotics to prevent or treat infections. Antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin, which are labeled category B for safety in pregnancy, may be prescribed after your procedure.

You will want to avoid taking routine x-rays that can be postponed until after the birth. However, X-rays are necessary to perform many dental procedures, especially emergencies.  According to the American College of Radiology, no single diagnostic x-ray has a radiation dose significant enough to cause adverse effects in a developing embryo or fetus.

Additionally, fetal organ development occurs during the first trimester.  You will want to avoid all potential risks at this time if possible.  Also, if you can postpone any non-emergency dental work during the third trimester, it is usually recommended.  This is to avoid the risk of premature labor and prolonged time lying on your back.

In summary, during a pregnancy you will need to continue to work on your oral hygiene and perform most routine maintenance of your teeth.  However, you will want to avoid any cosmetic or unnecessary dental work to avoid risks to the baby.  However, if emergency work is required, then it should be done while keeping stress to a minimum and in consultation with your obstetrician.

Diet not only affects your health, but it directly affects your dental health.  You have learned as a child to brush twice a day and especially after you eat sugar.  However, you diet even affects how well your mouth can fight off other diseases and tooth decay.  Hence, you should brush your teeth and maintain a healthy diet for the best dental health possible.

Your body is a very complicated organism that can be compared to a complex machine.  When you eat, you are fueling your body and this affects your general health and specifically the health of your gum and teeth.  Dentists are concerned about the amount of sugar-filled items that Americans consume on a regular basis.  These items include sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and a number of non-nutritious snacks that affect the teeth.  These snacks not only add no nutritional value to the body or mouth but they can also take a toll on your teeth.

Diet and the eating patterns among children and early teens are important factors that directly affect the speed of how quickly youth develop tooth decay.  When bacteria, known as plaque, come into contact with sugar, they produce acid.  The acid is potent for 20 minutes or more and this can eventually result in tooth decay.

Most food contains some sugar to include milk and vegetables.  All foods that contain sugar can contribute to tooth decay.  You can't avoid eating all sugar and some level of sugar is needed for your body to function properly.  You should not even try to remove them because many of them contain important nutrients.  

Additionally, you probably enjoy eating these foods.  However, the amount of these sugared foods should be controlled and moderated.  You can read the labels on most foods to get a better understanding of the amount of sugar you are consuming.  This will help you choose foods and beverages that are lower in added sugars.  You will also be able to recognize and limit the food that are low in nutrient value and high in sugar like soft drinks, candy, cookies and pastries.

In addition to tooth decay, your diet directly affects the ability of the tissues in your mouth to fight and resist infection.  These infections can contribute to periodontal disease which is a major cause of tooth loss in adults.  Poor nutrition does not cause periodontal disease directly, but many dental experts believes the disease progresses faster and can even be more severe in people that do not eat and receive healthy nutrients in their diets.

So, what can you do to increase your dental health?  First, you will want to maintain a healthy diet.  Drink more water and limit the amount of sugared drinks.  You may want to keep and food journal for a week.  Record everything that you consume for a week to include all snacks and drinks.  This will show you exactly what you consume and may be an eye opener for you.

Limit the number of snacks between meals.  When you do need a snack, try nutritious foods low in sugar like vegetables.  Make sure you brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.  If you have sugared snacks you may want to brush right after consuming these in order to limit the amount of acid in your mouth.

In summary, your diet directly affects your dental health.  When you eat healthy and low sugared foods your body and mouth have the right nutrients to fight infections and tooth decay.  You must give your body the right nutrients to stay healthy and to reduce the amount of tooth decay.

Fluoride has many benefits.  It is most important to the teeth because it provides minerals that strengthen weak spots on the surfaces of teeth and prevents cavities from forming there.  In fact, fluoride acts on teeth in two ways.  First of all, when you use fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash, the fluoride passes over your teeth to protect the teeth from decay.  Secondly, when you ingest fluoride through water, food or supplements, your body incorporates the fluoride into developing teeth which makes them stronger and protects them from decay.  The best source for fluoride ingestion is in the water that we drink.
Fluoride is naturally found in minerals, rocks and soil.  It is absorbed into the groundwater as the water passes through the soil and the fluoride is dissolved into it.  The amount of fluoride in the water varies from one location to another and many water companies supplement fluoride into the water sources in order to reach optimal levels of fluoride. 
The right amount of fluoride is needed to protect teeth. Too much fluoride can be harmful to teeth and bones and too little fluoride will not protect them.  Mg/L is the measurement used to determine how many milligrams of fluoride are in each liter of water.  In order to protect teeth from decay, the best level of fluoride in drinking water is between 0.7 mg/L and 1.2 mg/L.  The amount necessary in your area will depend a lot on the climate of your area.  For example, in areas where temperatures are high, people are expected to drink more water so less fluoride will be added to the water to prevent overdose.  On the other hand, in colder climates where people tend to drink less water, more fluoride is added to the water in order to ensure that people get the amount of fluoride necessary.
If your fluoride level is above 2.0 mg/L, your children may experience a condition called dental fluorosis.  This is not a health risk, but rather a cosmetic problem only.  Children will experience stained or pitted teeth.  However, if your fluoride levels reach above 4.0 mg/L, it is not safe to drink.  Over time, drinking water at these levels can cause skeletal fluorosis which is a serious bone disorder.
In order to find out if you have fluoride in your drinking water, you must first consider the source of your water.  Do you mostly drink bottled water or tap water?  And if your main water source is from the tap, is it city water or does it come from a private well?  Bottled water providers vary greatly in the amount of fluoride they add, but you can find that information on the labels. 
If you own your own well, you can have your drinking water tested at a state certified laboratory.  You will need to collect a sample to take to them and they can let you know how much fluoride is found there.  You can do the same if you have city water provided, however, they are required to have the same tests done periodically, so you may consider just calling them up and asking for that information.
If you find that there is too much fluoride in your drinking water, you can purchase a treatment system that removes the fluoride.  If your fluoride levels are less than 0.7 mg/L then you are considered at risk for developing cavities because those levels do not protect against them.  In this case your dentist may recommend you take fluoride supplements, usually in the form of drops or tablets.  You will need to consult with your dentist about the proper levels of fluoride for your family.

Is expensive toothpaste better than cheap toothpaste?  The easy and best answer is no.  For the most part the price of the toothpaste does not affect the effectiveness of the toothpaste.  However, you may find that there are some factors worth considering when purchasing toothpaste which eventually does affect price.

The number one item you should consider when purchasing toothpaste is whether it has fluoride or not.  Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel so it should be your first consideration.  Some toothpastes claim to have more fluoride than others but the difference is negligible.  Most dentists agree that if it's got fluoride and it's approved by the American Dental Association, you can't go wrong with it.  How regularly and how attentively you brush matters far more than what you brush with.

Tartar control toothpastes have an ingredient called tetrasodium pyrophosphate. This ingredient sponges up minerals in your saliva that would otherwise collect on your teeth and form tartar which is hardened plaque.  Tartar control toothpastes can't remove tartar, but they can limit the amount of tarter that is developed.

Some toothpastes advertise that they are for sensitive teeth.  Toothpastes for sensitive teeth use potassium nitrate to block nerves connected to your teeth. This works for people with receded gums.  However, if your sensitivity stems instead from cavities, habitual tooth grinding, or a root canal problem, then this feature will not help your pain.  You will need to find a solution larger than the type of toothpaste you use.

Other types of toothpaste advertise baking soda as an ingredient.  Baking soda does not help the cleanliness of your teeth.  However, you may like the feel or taste of the ingredient, but you will not have healthier teeth because of baking soda. 

Teeth whitening has become a very large fad recently.  Many types of toothpaste advertise the ability to whiten your teeth.  However, these toothpastes don't whiten your teeth any more than any other toothpaste.  Dentists can apply peroxide solutions to bleach your teeth, but the peroxide would have to stay on your teeth for several continuous hours before it made any difference.  Brushing with whitening toothpastes does nothing more than clean your teeth like any other toothpaste.

Of course, as noted above, any fluoride toothpaste will do an adequate job. For this reason, you may wish to buy a Walmart generic brand tartar control toothpaste, which is fluoridated, has tartar control, and is every bit as effective as every other toothpaste.  The price of the toothpaste does not for the most part have anything to do with the ability of the toothpaste to clean teeth.

You may want to consider other factors when purchasing toothpaste.  Most toothpaste is either a gel or a paste.  Gels use silica as an abrasive to help polish teeth. Pastes use calcium carbonate to accomplish the same task.  You may pick either according to your personal preference, but they both accomplish the task of cleaning your teeth. 

You may also want to consider the packaging of the toothpaste.  You may be willing to pay a little more to have the ease of a pump and not have to deal with a tube.  Tubes can be messy and they often require two hands where a pump can be managed with one.  This can affect the price, but it doesn't clean your teeth any better.

In summary, most toothpastes will accomplish the task required of cleaning your teeth.  The price is not a factor, but you need to make sure that your toothpaste has fluoride and approved by the American Dental Association.  Tarter control does help, but normally doesn't affect the price. 

Many people think that because baby teeth eventually just fall out, that it isn't extremely important to take good care of them.  However, this isn't the case at all.  It is as important to take care of baby teeth as it is to take care of permanent teeth once they come in.  Here are several reasons why it is important, as well as the potential negative affects that can occur as a result of taking poor care of the baby teeth.

?    It is extremely important for babies and little children to have strong and healthy teeth to develop their ability to speak.  Children being learning to talk clearly early on and it is crucial that their mouth is healthy so their speech patterns aren't negatively affected from the beginning.  Once their speech has developed, it is difficult in later years to overcome any problems that have may have risen.
?    It is necessary for children's nutrition that they have healthy teeth to be able to chew their food thoroughly.  If the baby teeth aren't taken care, they may cause pain or fall out prematurely which will hinder the child from chewing their food completely.  This can then cause nutritional and digestive problems
?    One of the primary reasons for having baby teeth is to create space for the permanent teeth to come in.  If baby teeth aren't cared for, it is more than likely that they will rot or fall out early.  This can have a devastating effect on the permanent teeth when they come in.  In most cases, it will cause the permanent teeth to grow in too close together and crowded which can cause them to be severely crooked.  On the other hand, if baby teeth are cared for and kept healthy, they will create the necessary space for the permanent teeth to come in straight.  This could save a lot of time and money on braces later on in life.
?    When baby teeth aren't cared for and brushed, bacteria remains in the mouth and spreads.  This causes decay to other teeth, damage to the gums and may even cause damage to the developing permanent teeth.  It is important that the teeth are brushed so bacteria in the mouth will be killed and removed so more serious problems don't arise.
?    Children will more than likely experience pain and toothaches if their baby teeth aren't cared for properly.  This is unnecessary suffering that could easily be avoided by taking care of the baby teeth.
?     We all begin to develop our self-esteem and confidence from the time that we are little children.  Children whose baby teeth aren't cared for may struggle with themselves from an earlier age, especially if it does cause problems to permanent teeth.  However, if baby teeth are cared for and bring in healthy permanent teeth, it will help the child develop a healthy self image early on in life.
?    It is crucial for the child's future dental health that they are taught from an early age that taking care of their teeth is extremely important.  Habits form early on in life and it is crucial that children understand that they must care for their teeth.  If this is neglected to be taught to the children when they are little, chances are it will not be a priority as the child grows which will most likely cause very serious dental problems later on in life.

It is an incredibly big mistake to assume that it is not important to care for baby teeth because they are going to fall out anyway.  It is crucial that teeth are cared for properly from the beginning to ensure healthy permanent teeth will grow in and to promote healthy oral care throughout the child's life.

Your oral health depends on you developing a thorough and detailed teeth brushing routine and it is best when this starts at an early age.  One of the greatest things you can do for your children is to teach them how to take care of their teeth at a young age.  The habits they develop when they are little will carry through their entire life.  It is essential to teach your children the correct way to brush and keep their teeth clean and healthy.  Here are some ways you can teach them and help them develop healthy habits.

    Begin cleaning their mouths when they are just babies.  Don't use a toothbrush before their teeth come in, or even in the early stages of the teeth coming in.  Take a soft, wet washcloth and gently clean their gums and tongue.  This will help keep their mouths clean from the beginning as well as getting the child use to having things in their mouth.
    Make the whole teeth cleaning and brushing process fun!  Children respond best to having fun while learning.  They will be more likely to obey and want to brush if they associate it with being something fun.  If they feel that brushing is a chore, they will avoid doing it.  There are several ways you can make it fun for them.  Start by brushing each other's teeth, your child will think it is funny to brush their parent's teeth.  You can also start by letting them brush the teeth of a favorite doll or toy before brushing their own teeth.  Just make sure you brush their teeth after so that they are thoroughly cleaned. 
    Make sure you are using no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for your child.  If there is more toothpaste it will create excessive foam that will make it harder for your child to brush.
    Be sure to choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste for you child's needs.  Choose a child size toothbrush that will be easy for your child to use.  Again, make this fun for them by choosing a toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character or color!  Avoid toothpastes with harsh or strong flavors.  While you may think your own toothpaste has a subtle flavor, it may be too strong for your child.  They are more sensitive to flavors that adults are. 
    Make sure you are teaching them a routine.  Be sure to make brushing a regular part of the day.  Get them in the habit of brushing after every meal and every night at bedtime. 
    Be sure to teach them to brush the correct amount of time.  You need to be brushing for at least 2 minutes each time for it to be completely effective.  It may be fun for you and your child to make up a song that you can sing so they know how long to brush for!
    Have good oral health habits yourself.  Your children will be more likely to stick to having a good routine if they see that you stick to a routine yourself.  You can brush your teeth with your child and make it a fun family activity.
    If your child is resistant to brush their teeth, it will be effective to take your spouse or older children and brush your teeth while having a lot of fun.  Laugh really loud or put on music and dance.  Your child will see that they are missing out on having fun and will want to participate!

It is crucial to develop healthy oral habits at a young age.  Teach your children early on to follow a strict, but fun, brushing routine and it will continue to benefit them throughout their entire life.