The Structure of Teeth

The Structure of Teeth

We tend to take our teeth for granted. It is not until we are suffering from a terrible toothache that we realize how important dental health is. We need our teeth to eat, and toothaches can lead to terrible headaches, an inability to get proper nutrition, and problems with the nerves in our face. Once you understand the structure of your teeth, you can better take care of your pearly whites and protect yourself from toothaches.

The whole tooth can be divided into three sections. The crown sits above the gums, the neck is the part where the tooth narrows down into the gums, and the roots are the anchors that reach down into the jaw. The number of roots per tooth can change depending on what type of tooth it is. Incisors, or your front teeth, and canines, or the pointy teeth, only have one root apiece. Premolars and molars have four roots per tooth.

Inside the tooth, there are several layers that contribute to the bone-like structure of a tooth. The top layer over the crown is the enamel. Enamel is similar to bone, but it is actually the hardest substance in the body. Composed of calcium and phosphorous, enamel is considered a dead tissue, but it protects the living components of the teeth. Underneath the gum, cementum rather than enamel protects the inner tooth.

Next, dentine makes up the majority of the inner tooth. Dentine is more like bone in that it is alive. It is sensitive and softer than enamel, and has tubes running through it that connect to the central nerve of the tooth. The pulp, inside the layer of dentine, is the soft tissue that holds the blood vessels and nerves. Underneath the gums, the pulp is called the root canal as it runs down the root. There is a hole in the bottom of the cementum which allows the blood vessels and nerves to connect with the tissue in the jaw.

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