Has the anatomy of your teeth ever crossed your mind, like what makes up the tooth and helps it perform its functions? A tooth consists of the enamel, cementum, dentin, root, and the pulp.
When a tooth suffers trauma, especially to the enamel, it becomes prone to cavities, which may degenerate into a severe oral condition like gum disease. Knowing the parts of the teeth and the vital roles they play is essential to keep your oral cavity healthy, along with adequate oral care and dental checkups. Below are significant parts of the tooth anatomy and their roles.
The enamel is the protective shield that covers the exterior part of the tooth. It consists of hard minerals, such as calcium phosphate. The enamel is the hardest material on the human body and usually is hardy against cavity-causing bacteria. The mineral composition makes the enamel translucent.
The dentin makes up the greatest part of the tooth structure. It has similar features to the bone and is located beneath the enamel and the cementum. In contrast to the enamel that covers the teeth, the dentin is somewhat self-healing. This means that if the dentin deteriorates over time or due to cavities, the second layer of dentin will develop.
The dentin is a critical component of dental health — exposure causes tooth sensitivity, and excess degradation may cause oral health diseases.
The root not only holds the tooth in the jawbone, but it also ensures the jawbone remains healthy. The pulp is located in the root canal and is the only living section of the tooth. It is made up of nerves, living tissues, and arteries. The root keeps the pulp alive by transporting blood and nutrients to it from the jawbone. When you chew or bite, the tooth root promotes the transfer of vitamins and nutrients to the jawbone.
Knowing the benefits of the root to the jawbone’s health is crucial because you lose the root when you lose the tooth. This means the jawbone will no longer get stimulations (for strength and health) from the root. Without stimulation, resorption will occur, meaning the jaw with retrogressively deteriorate or recede, causing speech issues and biting problems.
The pulp is located in the tooth root, right in a hollow chamber. The number of chambers can range from one to three, depending on the type of tooth, and it houses the pulp and tooth root. This part of the tooth is highly sensitive and is tasked with ensuring the proper flow of blood and nutrients in the tooth to keep it alive.
To prevent jawbone loss or any oral disease, you need to practice proper oral hygiene. Knowing the basics of tooth anatomy will give you insights into the causes of oral health conditions so that you can teach your children about the importance of proper oral hygiene habits. If you have any more questions about oral hygiene, talk to one of our dental health professionals today.
Request an appointment here: https://www.yourdowntownmckinneydentist.com or call Sam Patel DDS, PA at (972) 638-5848 for an appointment in our McKinney office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth in McKinney, TX.
Even with healthy oral habits, you can find yourself in need of dental restoration. Tooth colored fillings allow dentists to provide their patients with more aesthetically pleasing results. Here are some details on using this option to repair dental cavities.Many modern patients want teeth to look natural when laughing or smiling. This is why tooth…
A root canal treatment is an optimal way to restore your tooth. It is also an effective way to protect your tooth. Dental damage can result from an injury or decay. Tooth extraction is an easy solution but keeping your natural tooth structure is healthier. If you want to know how a root canal treatment…
Created with quartz or glass and using a resin medium, composite fillings are quickly becoming the go-to for many dental patients. The fillings restore functionality to broken teeth by allowing the patient to bite or chew without pain. In addition, because the fillings look like natural teeth, they may help with self-esteem in relation to…
Root canal treatment can help with gums and the underlying jawbone. Read on to learn more about this endodontic treatment. This article discusses root canal treatment and how it can improve the health of the tooth receiving the treatment as well as the gums that support it. Gum and tooth health often go together. If…