Why Do My Teeth Have Ridges?

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The ridges are also known as mamelons. They are rounded bumps on the edge of a tooth. Like the other parts of the tooth’s outer covering, they are made of enamel. In French, the word mamelon means “nipple.” It refers to the way each bump protrudes from a tooth.

Ridges are Most Common on Kids

You may notice ridges on the permanent teeth of a child. However, adults can have them, as well. The ridges appear on a child’s teeth when their permanent teeth start growing. The mamelons vary from one person to another. Some of them are prominent, while others are subtle. If the edges are rough, ridges may make your child’s teeth look uneven. They are commonly found on the upper and lower permanent lateral and central incisors. Mamelons are only found on newly erupted incisor teeth. Usually, they are found on permanent incisors. In some cases, they can be seen on primary incisors too.

They Appear as Adult Teeth Start Growing

The ridges appear when permanent teeth start growing at a young age. Mamelons are formed from the enamel, which fuses together when a child’s teeth are developing underneath their gums. A child’s front teeth are formed as lobes that are fused before they break through the gum tissue. When adult teeth from underneath the gum tissue, three types of cells line the edge of the teeth, making it easier for the teeth to break through the gum tissue.

They are Not an Oral Health Problems Symptom

When the teeth erupt, some parents think that the teeth have been damaged. However, there’s no need to worry as this is just the teeth ridges helping the tooth to grow through the gums. Mamelons are rare in adults as they wear slowly. They are not considered major oral health issues as wear away early on in a person’s life. Finally, although the ridges are not threats to your oral health, they have no benefit either. However, you can talk to a professional dentist to offer a solution, depending on whether you want to fix mamelons only or you intend to take care of other issues as well.

A dentist will examine a patient’s ridges and determine the best way to respond. There are several ways of getting rid of teeth ridges if they are problematic. After examination, your dentist will recommend the best course of action.

Do I Need Professional Teeth Cleaning?

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“I brush my teeth twice a day and floss once daily. Do I need professional teeth cleaning?”

Our dentist hears this question quite often, especially from busy patients who don’t want to spend any more time in a dentist’s chair than they have to.

While many of our patients do take very good care of their teeth, everyone can benefit from professional teeth cleaning from a dentist or dental hygienist. Brushing and flossing can remove the plaque and cavity-causing bacteria that build up on your teeth, but it cannot always remove all of plaque. In time, plaque can harden into tartar that brushing and flossing cannot remove.

Crusty deposits of tartar make it difficult to remove plaque and bacteria. Plaque and tarter can also destroy the hard enamel the layer of teeth, which can in turn, lead to tooth sensitivity and cavities. Tartar and bacteria below the gum line can cause serious gum disease and even tooth loss. Tartar, bacteria, plaque, gum disease and tooth decay can also give you bad breath. Gum disease can even increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

While brushing and flossing is important, they cannot remove plaque and tartar as well as professional teeth cleaning. During professional cleaning, your dentist or hygienist will use tools unavailable to you, such as a scaler, to remove plaque and tartar before they cause problems. Your dental health professional also uses special techniques to clean in between your teeth and in those hard-to-reach spots at the back of your mouth.

Professional dental cleanings also make your teeth look and feel their best. During a professional teeth cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist cleans your teeth with a high-powered electric brush and special gritty toothpaste, which removes tartar and polishes your pearly whites. Professional teeth cleanings also freshen your breath and brighten your smile.

Finally, your dentist or dental hygienist can detect hidden dental problems during your teeth cleaning. Early detection and treatment of common dental issues typically leads to better outcomes.

You need professional teeth cleaning for a variety of reasons, from improving your oral health to giving you a great smile. For more information on the importance of professional teeth cleaning, contact Evanko Dental Group of Medina.