(Information given here has been abridged from authentic sources like NIH, USA)

Dental Care
Tooth decay and gum disease are largely caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to accumulate on teeth within 20 minutes after eating. If this plaque is not removed thoroughly each day, tooth decay will flourish. Over time, plaque will harden into tartar.

Plaque and tartar lead to a number of problems, which include, (1) Cavities (holes that damage the structure of teeth); (2) Gingivitis (swollen, inflamed, bleeding gums); (3) Periodontitis -- destruction of the ligaments and bone that support the teeth, often leading to tooth loss; (4) Bad breath (halitosis); (5) Abscesses, pain, inability to use teeth; (6) A variety of health problems outside the mouth, from preterm labor to heart disease.

Regular brushing and flossing helps keep teeth healthy. Regular tooth cleaning by a dentist removes plaque that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult to reach on your own. Professional cleaning includes scaling and polishing. This uses various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. Routine examination may include dental x-rays.

Tooth - Abnormal Shape
The appearance of normal teeth varies, especially the molars. Sometimes the teeth may be irregular or abnormally shaped. Abnormally shaped teeth can result from many different conditions. Specific diseases can have a profound effect on tooth shape, tooth color, time of appearance, or absence of teeth. If the shape of teeth appears to be abnormal, one should consult a dentist or other health care provider. Diagnostic tests including dental X-rays, would help in diagnosis and treatment.


Broken or Knocked Out Tooth
The dentist's term for a knocked out tooth is "avulsed". A permanent tooth that is knocked out can sometimes be reimplanted. In most cases, only permanent, adult teeth are reimplanted into the mouth. Baby teeth are usually left out. Immediately contact your dentist when a tooth is broken or knocked out. If you can find the tooth after the accident or injury, bring it with you when you seek medical help. Save any tooth that has been knocked out for possible reimplantation. Bring it to your dentist as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the less chance there is for successful reimplantation. Handle the tooth only by the crown (chewing edge).

Dental Cavities
Cavities are holes that damage the structure of teeth. Tooth decay is one of the most common of all disorders, second only to the common cold. It usually occurs in children and young adults but can affect any person. It is the most important cause of tooth loss in younger people. Bacteria are normally present in the mouth. The bacteria convert all foods -- especially sugar and starch -- into acids. Bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine in the mouth to form a sticky substance called plaque that adheres to the teeth. It is most prominent on the back molars, just above the gum line on all teeth, and at the edges of fillings. Plaque that is not removed from the teeth mineralizes into tartar. Plaque and tartar irritate the gums, resulting in gingivitis and ultimately periodontitis. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the tooth and create holes in the tooth (cavities). Cavities are usually painless until they grow very large inside the tooth and destroy the nerve and blood vessels in the tooth. If left untreated, a tooth abscess can develop. Untreated tooth decay also destroys the internal structures of the tooth (pulp) and ultimately causes the loss of the tooth. Most cavities are discovered in the early stages during routine checkups.

Destroyed tooth structure does not regenerate. However, the progression of cavities can be stopped by treatment. The goal is to preserve the tooth and prevent complications. In filling teeth, the decayed material is removed (by drilling) and replaced with a restorative material such as silver alloy, gold, porcelain, or composite resin. Porcelain and composite resin more closely match the natural tooth appearance, and may be preferred for front teeth. Crowns are used if decay is extensive and there is limited tooth structure, which may cause weakened teeth. Large fillings and weak teeth increase the risk of the tooth breaking. The decayed or weakened area is removed and repaired. A covering jacket or "cap" (crown) is fitted over the remainder of the tooth. Crowns are often made of gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal.

A root canal is recommended if the nerve in a tooth dies from decay or from a traumatic blow. The center of the tooth, including the nerve and blood vessel tissue (pulp), is removed along with decayed portions of the tooth. The roots are filled with a sealing material. The tooth is filled and a crown may be placed over the tooth if needed. Treatment often preserves the tooth. Early treatment is less painful and less expensive than treatment of extensive decay.

Denture Problems
Dentures helps in eating but also is important for normal appearance. It should be fitting perfectly and needs care. Dentures need to made specifically for each individual. A cast is prepared for the gumline of each person which helps in prepration of a custom-made denture.

Impacted Tooth
An impacted tooth is a tooth that fails to fully emerge through the gums. Teeth emerge through the gums during infancy. Primary (baby) teeth are replaced by the permanent teeth. If a tooth fails to emerge, or emerges only partially, it is impacted. Because they are the last teeth to emerge, the most common teeth to become impacted are the wisdom teeth (the third set of molars), which normally emerge between the ages of 17 and 21. An impacted tooth remains embedded in soft gingiva (gum) tissue or bone beyond its normal eruption time. The cause may be overcrowding, often because the jaw is too small to fit the third set of molars. Teeth may also become twisted, tilted, or displaced as they try to emerge, resulting in impacted teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth are very common. They are often painless and cause no apparent trouble. However, some professionals believe an impacted tooth pushes on the next tooth, which pushes the next tooth, eventually causing a misalignment of the bite. A partially emerged tooth can trap food, plaque, and other debris in the soft tissue around it, leading to inflammation and tenderness of the gums and unpleasant mouth odor. This is called pericoronitis.

The goal of treatment is to relieve irritation of the mouth caused by the impacted tooth. If the impacted tooth is not causing infection or inflammation, or is not affecting the alignment of the other teeth, no treatment may be necessary. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help. Warm salt water (one-half teaspoon of salt in one cup of water) or over-the-counter mouthwashes may be soothing to the gums.

Extraction (removal) of the tooth is the usual treatment for an impacted tooth. This often is performed in the dentist's office under local anesthesia. If the tooth is deeply impacted or difficulty with extraction is expected, the dentist may refer the person to an oral surgeon for tooth removal. Antibiotics may be required prior to tooth extraction if the area around the tooth is infected. It is often preferable to have wisdom teeth extracted when a patient is under 30, due to the flexibility of bone, which will allow an easier extraction and better healing. As a person ages, the bone becomes more rigid and complications can develop.

Malocclusion of teeth
Malocclusion means the teeth are not aligned properly. Occlusion refers to the alignment of teeth and the way that the upper and lower teeth fit together (bite). Ideally, all upper teeth fit slightly over the lower teeth. The points of the molars fit the grooves of the opposing molar. All teeth are aligned, straight, and spaced proportionally. The upper teeth keep the cheeks and lips from being bitten and the lower teeth protect the tongue. Malocclusion is the most common reason for referral to an orthodontist. Very few people have perfect occlusion. However, most occlusion abnormalities are so minor that they do not require treatment. By treating moderate or severe malocclusion, the teeth are easier to clean and there is less risk of tooth decay and periodontal diseases (gingivitis or periodontitis). Treatment eliminates strain on the teeth, jaws and muscles, which lessens the risk of breaking a tooth and reduces symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders.

Malocclusion is most often hereditary. There may be a disproportion between the size of the upper and lower jaws or between jaw and tooth size resulting in overcrowding of teeth or in abnormal bite patterns. Extra teeth, malformed teeth, impacted or lost teeth, and teeth that erupt in an abnormal direction may contribute to malocclusion. Variations in size or malformation of either jaw may affect its shape, as can birth defects such as cleft lip and palate. During infancy, personal habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, pacifier use beyond the age of three, and prolonged use of a bottle can greatly affect the shape of the jaws as well. The improper fit of dental fillings, crowns, appliances, retainers or braces may contribute to malocclusion. Misalignment of jaw fractures after a severe injury, and tumors of the mouth or jaw may cause malocclusion as well.

The goal of treatment is to correct the positioning of the teeth. Braces or other appliances may be used. Metal bands are placed around some teeth or metal, ceramic, or plastic bonds are attached to the surface of the teeth. Wires or springs apply force to the teeth. One or more teeth may need to be removed if overcrowding is part of the problem. Rough or irregular teeth may be adjusted down, reshaped, and bonded or capped. Mis-shapen restorations and dental appliances should be repaired. Surgery may be required on rare occasions. This may include surgical reshaping to lengthen or shorten the jaw (orthognathic surgery). Wires may be used to stabilize the jaw bone, in a similar manner to the surgical stabilization of jaw fracture.