“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” ― Albert Einstein
Before getting started, here's a short summary of the common terms that will come up repeatedly in the guide. If you already know this stuff, skip ahead. If you don't, stick around. As every smart engineer knows, you must first understand the problem before you can come up with a solution.
Enamel
Acting as the thin outer covering of the tooth, enamel protects your teeth from harmful bacteria and erosion.
Dentine
This is the hard, dense, and bony tissue that forms the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel.
Pulp Cavity
The pulp cavity contains the connective tissue that connects the blood vessels and nerve tissues to the tooth. This tissue is called the "pulp".
Root Canal
This part of the tooth is the tissue of both the pulp cavity and the toot canal combined.
Over millenniums of evolution, your teeth slowly morphed into near-perfect chewing and biting machines. But, they are not without their flaws. Down below are some, but not all, of the obstacles in the way of your perfect smile. Know them well because they will hide from you behind every corner—literally.
Plaque
Plaque is a bacteria-filed sticky film that contributes to gum disease and tooth decay, so remember that plaque = bad.
Tartar
When plaque is left too long it solidifies onto your teeth as tartar. This hardened plaque contributes to tooth decay and can create problems if left unchecked. Again, tartar = bad.
Cavities
Cavities are basically tiny holes in your teeth, a problem more common than you might think [1]. They can cause complications so, like plaque and tartar, cavities = bad.
Gingivitis
An early form of gum disease, gingivitis is something to avoid at all costs. Untreated gingivitis can lead to tooth loss and decay, both of which can be prevented by the proper oral hygiene explained in the guide.
Knowing the information above just made you more knowledgeable about dental hygiene than most of the general public. Knowing more leads to better understanding. And a better understanding leads to better decisions.
As this guide progresses it will get a bit wordy. This is on purpose so that every little detail—from how to best brush your teeth to the best products to use—is covered. With that in mind, you can get the "cheat sheet" for this guide (and all other guides) by signing up for the newsletter below:
Since we despise sending emails, you'll only get notified every 3 to 4 months when the guides are updated and/or published. Specifically, the updates for this guide will include improved methods of whitening teeth, better dental products, and more.
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