If you think about it, our teeth are pretty cool things! Think about it: they spend every moment of their lives bathed in saliva, they are constantly biting and chomping and chewing, and the only maintenance they get is a brush and floss and couple of times a day. Well, teeth are so strong and durable because of their anatomy, which is quite complex but highly effective.
The Different Parts of a Tooth
While a tooth is quite long, much of it is below the gum line, with only about a third of the actual tooth showing above the gum. The part that we see is called the crown of the tooth, and the rest of the tooth – the root – lies below the gum line. The neck is where the tooth meets the gum.
That crown of a tooth consists of:
- Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body and provides the outer layer of protection on the crown. Enamel is mostly made up of minerals and is both strong and brittle. Bacteria naturally found in the mouth feed on leftover food particles and produce an acidic discharge that can erode the enamel, which is why it is so important to brush properly to remove those leftover food particles. Chewing on hard foods like hard candy and nuts can crack and chip enamel, further weakening it.
- Dentin is a calcified tissue and is the primary filler in a tooth, physically supporting the enamel outer layer. The dentin contains millions of tiny tubes that lead directly to the dental pulp in the pulp cavity, so if there is a hole in the outer enamel then bacteria and acid will work through the dentin and attack the nerves and blood vessels in the pulp cavity.
- The pulp cavity is the center of the tooth and this is where the tooth is “alive”. There are nerves and blood vessels in the pulp cavity, so if tooth decay works its way through the enamel and dentin and into the pulp cavity then you start feeling pain and should immediately book an appointment with your dentist.
The neck is where the crown meets the root and is located at the gum line. It’s important to clear excess food particles from along the gum line, because they can cause the gum to become swollen and bleed. Also, it’s important not to brush the gums too hard or with a hard bristled toothbrush because doing so can cause the gums to recede, exposing part of the root of the tooth which does not have an enamel protective cover. Gingiva is another name for the gums where the crown meets the root.
The root of the tooth is largely an extension of the dentin that fills the crown, but there is a tiny passageway through the root of the tooth where the blood vessels and nerves in the tooth are – this is called the root canal. If the root canal is damaged or if tooth decay attacks the dentin then your dentist may need to perform a root canal to replace the decaying dentin with a different non-reactive material, saving the tooth.
Protecting Your Teeth
Your teeth are very important to your oral and overall health, so it’s important that you take good care of them. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, and make sure that you have regular checkups with your family dentist.
Orion Dental provides a complete set of dental services for the entire family, including regular checkups, fillings and root canals, cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening. If you’re looking for a family dentist that you can trust, we have offices in Milton and Scarborough. Give us a call and book an appointment and let’s get started!
