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| Toothpaste
Although enamel is a very hard substance, it can be chipped or damaged and therefore loses its effectiveness as a protective layer. Enamel can also dissolve in acids, such as those found in soft drinks and fruits, formed as a result of bacterial action on sugar in the mouth. Bacteria continually live in our mouths and feed off the carbohydrates we eat. As they do this, they form a coating on our teeth called plaque. This plaque can be removed by brushing, but if it is left, it dissolves the enamel and a hole, or cavity, develops. If the cavity reaches the nerves in the dentine, we feel pain; but often cavities develop without us being aware of it. This is why it’s so important to have regular check-ups with the dentist. Dentists are trained to spot problems before they become serious by using their eyes and X-rays, and prodding your teeth to find holes and weak spots. They also repair cavities to prevent further decay by removing the decayed part of the tooth using a drill and then filling the hole. Cavities can be prevented by avoiding sugary foods and using toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain fluoride. The fluoride binds with the mineral of the enamel to prevent loss of calcium so it keeps the protective enamel hard and makes it more resistant to dissolution in acid. Fluoride has even been said to repair very small cavities and is added to drinking water to keep teeth protected. However excessive fluoride consumption can lead to white flecks in the teeth, which cannot be removed. Some toothpastes also contain whitening agents and polishing agents, which can whiten teeth by removing stains. Naturally, teeth come in all shades of white and cream and cannot be made whiter than their natural colour. Before toothpaste was invented people used to clean their teeth in a variety of different ways ranging from using sticks of bark to rubbing salt or lemon on their teeth. Evidence has been found that even cavemen cleaned their teeth, using grasses as an early form of dental floss. It would therefore seem that people have always felt the need to remove the plaque from their teeth. However, nowadays we eat more sugary food and so we need to look after our teeth particularly well. To prevent tooth decay, dentists recommend cleaning teeth with fluoride toothpaste, morning and evening for at least 2 minutes.
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