Dental ailments are not new to us; there is always a sore here and an abscess there that can wreck your evening dinner plans. But, just like everything else, dental ailments can also be easily treated or rather, prevented.

Bad breath is a huge source of embarrassment for many. If you don't brush and floss teeth daily, food particles will remain stuck in your mouth and promote bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums and on the tongue. This will then cause bad breath. In addition to this, odour causing foods, smoking and chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad breath.Antibacterial mouth rinses can help in some cases. However, if your problem persists, it’s best to visit the dentist for professional for advice and dental care tips.

Tooth decay is mainly caused by neglect. I often leads to loss of teeth, which is a huge price to pay for mere carelessness. If you don’t brush immediately after eating, the bacteria will feed on the sugar remains on your teeth and make acids. These acids will then attack the teeth for 20 minutes and destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay.

The best way to prevent tooth decay is by brushing twice a day, flossing daily and going for regular dental check-ups. You can prevent tooth decay by eating healthy food, avoiding snacks and drinks that are high in sugar and opting for sugar free options. Make sure you also drink plenty of water so that it washes off the excessive sugars and acids from the teeth and keeps it from decaying.

Another common dental problem in India is gum disease. It is an infection in the gums surrounding the teeth. There are two major stages of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. This disease often results in the loss of teeth, however, regular dental check-ups, brushing twice daily and flossing at least once a day can play an important role in preventing gum disease.

Having plenty of nuts can keep gum diseases away and keep teeth strong. Nuts contain vitamins and minerals that protect teeth. Some important nuts include peanuts (calcium and Vitamin D), almonds (high levels of calcium that helps both teeth and gums), cashews (stimulates saliva and helps clean teeth) and walnuts (fibre, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, iron, niacin, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium and zinc.)

Tooth sensitivity is a common problem that affects millions of people. It is caused by a gradual exposure of the softer part of the tooth that lies under the tooth enamel called ‘dentine’. Dentine has tiny tubes ('tubules') that lead to the nerve and are filled with fluid. Eating or drinking foods and drinks that are hot, cold or sweet can cause a change in fluid movement. This fluid movement causes the nerve endings to react in response triggering a short, sharp pain. Some people withsensitive teeth even experience discomfort while brushing and flossing.

A toothache is generally the result of dental cavities or some kind of an infection. Tooth decay is often caused by poor dental hygiene or inheritance. Over-the-counter pain medications usually work for toothaches. However, a quick trip to the dentist is always advised.