There are two main types of tooth disease: tooth decay and gum infections.
Gum diseases are exceedingly important, because when these are not
treated they may even go so far as to cause the jaw bone, in which the
teeth are rooted, to dissolve. Impairment of dental health, on the
other hand, can affect other organs in the body.
Tooth Decay
The main foods that cause tooth decay are carbohydrates and sugary
substances. If the teeth are not properly cleaned after eating such
foods, food wastes and germs accumulate on the tooth surface. Bacteria
inside the mouth use the sugary substances in food wastes to form
accumulations known asplaque. Plaque makes it easier for bacteria to
adhere to the teeth. In this way, the acid produced by bacteria, which
is present in sugary substances used to sweeten foods, causesthe tooth
enamel to dissolve by opening up minute cavities in it. Germs entering
through these dissolved regions cause tooth decay and can easily reach
the underlying tissue.
Gum Diseases
The gum diseases that arise in the event that the mouth is not kept
properly clean representsome of the most important oral problems.A gum
disease caused bybacterial plaque on the tooth surface leads to
infection of the gums, teeth sockets and floor of the mouth. The gums
bleed easily right from the initial stage of the disease. If this
disease is not treated it may lead to infection of and damage to the
jawbone.
Three basic factors in tooth decay are:
• A sensitive tooth surface
• Food wastes ideally suited to micro-organisms
• The presence of micro-organisms that break these down and lead to
acid formation
How to Maintain Oral and Dental Hygiene?
• Regular brushing is essential.
• Dental floss must be used.
• Avoid highly acidic andsugary foods as much as possible. Teeth must
always be brushed after eating those, because excessively acidic and
sugary foods enhance the effect of micro-organisms.
• There must be sufficient fluoride in the water, or else toothpastes
containing fluoride should be used. Fluoride makes the teethmore
resistant to decay.
• The teeth should not be brought into contact with hard objects.
• Do not use your teeth to break shelled foodstuffs such as walnuts
and hazelnuts, because these cause cracking of the tooth enamel and
increase the effect of bacteria. This means the elimination ofthe
protective effect of the enamel.
• Visit your dentist at least twice a year.
Hygiene: The Most Effective Way of Protecting the Teeth
• The most effective wayof protecting the teeth isto clean them by
regular brushing. Teeth must always be brushed after eating.
• There is a special brushing technique. Because although the teeth
are covered with avery hard layer, the enamel, they can still be badly
damaged if the wrong brush or brushing technique are employed. Erosion
of theupper part of the tooth or the layer surroundingthe root may
lead to retraction of the gums, making the teeth even more prone to
decay.
Stage One: Brushing
• Toothbrush selection isvery important. Hard brushes may cause
scratching of the enamel. The best, unless a special brush is
recommended by a dentist, are medium firmness, nylon brushes.
• Brushes whose heads are not too large are to be preferred as these
permit easy movement inside the mouth and can reach the back
teethwithout difficulty.
• Brushing should begin at a 45 degree angle, starting from gum level
with small, circular movements towards the oral cavity.
• Brushing starting from the teeth surfaces shouldnot be in the form
of harsh movements, but gentle, from the front teeth to the back. The
interior surfaces of the teeth should be cleaned in the same way, with
chewing surfaces being brushed using circular movements.
• Brushing should last at least 2-3 minutes.
• Toothbrushes should be replaced every few months.
Stage Two: Dental Floss
After brushing, the best way of removing food particles is to use
dental floss. Because these particles remaining between the teeth are
one of the main causes of decay. However, care must be taken not to
cut the gums during this process.
Diseases Resulting from a Failure to Maintain oraland Dental Hygiene
Unhealthy teeth and gums that are not adequately cleaned and cared for
represent a focus for infection in thebody and can thus have a
damaging effect on other tissues and organs.Tooth decay has been
determined to lead to sinusitis, tonsil infection,rheumatism, bone
wastage, diabetes, and respiratory system, heartdisease and digestive
problems.
OUR PROPHET (SAAS) ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO DENTAL AND ORAL HYGIENE
When we look at his life and hadiths, it can be seen that our Prophet
(saas) attached great importance to cleanliness. The Prophet (saas)
recommended that believers should be clean in these terms in one
hadith: "Islam is cleanliness, the absence of dirt. You, too, must
beclean and wash, becauseit is the clean who enter paradise." (1)
One of the aspects of cleanliness to which our Prophet (saas) attached
great importance was care of the teeth and mouth. In describing
theProphet (saas) his companions stated that his teeth shone like
pearls, were spotlessly clean, white and sparkling. (2) We are told
that our Prophet (saas) cleaned his teeth using the "misvak" madefrom
the roots and branches of the "arak" tree grown in Arabia.
In addition, our Prophet (saas) was a role model for a society that
had no knowledge of cleanliness in the days before Islam, educating
people in the most appropriate way by imparting information inspired
by Allah. One hadith reports the following words of our Beloved
Prophet (saas) on the subject of dental care: "Jabir relates: 'The
Prophet (saws) stated "Crescent cleaning purifies the teeth, whitens
them, strengthens their roots and makes the breath smell sweet".'" (3)
One of the important details set out in the hadith concerns how
theteeth are to be brushed. "Crescent cleaning" refers to brushing the
teeth using circular, half-moon movements. This technique differs from
the right-left brushing technique that damages the enamel and wears
away the gums.
Circular movements are recommended by modern dentists, in the same way
as reported in the hadith, who state that this is the best way of
removing food particles from between the teeth.
1. Ahmad Diya'al-Din al-Kamushkhanawi, Ramuz al-Ahadith)
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