Your teeth are important for breaking down food into small pieces. Teeth are necessary for the digestive process, improving personal appearance, and they help with speech. In this article, we will go over the arrangement and structure of your teeth.
Location and Classification of Teeth
- Every adult has 32 teeth, their permanent teeth.
- Your jaw has two parts, top and bottom.
- 32 teeth are equally present in both parts of the jaw, 16 in the top jaw and 16 at the bottom.
- There are specific types of teeth in each part of the jaw. These are molars (for grinding), canines (for tearing), and incisors (for cutting).
- Starting from the back of each side, your jaw contains 3 molars, 2 premolars, 1 canine, and 2 incisors.
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Structure and Function
1. Root
The root holds the tooth to its place by extending it to the bone. Root makes up almost two-thirds of your tooth. Several parts of the root are as follows:
· Root Canal
The root canal includes pulp and is the passageway.
· Cementum
Cementum is a bone-like material and is responsible for holding the root of your tooth. It connects to a periodontal ligament.
· Periodontal Ligament
This comprises collagen fiber and connective tissue. This includes blood vessels and nerves. Periodontal ligament helps connect your tooth to the sockets with the cement.
· Nerves And Blood Vessels
Blood vessels help with the supply of nutrients to the periodontal ligament. However, nerves help control the force that you need while chewing.
· Jaw Bone
The jaw bone is also known as the alveolar bone. It contains sockets for your tooth to sit in. The jaw is also responsible for surrounding the roots of the teeth. This helps in holding the teeth in a place.
2. Neck
The dental cervix or neck of your tooth sits perfectly between root and crown. The neck creates a line where enamel and cementum meets. Neck has three parts:
· Gums
Gums, or gingival, are pink and fleshy connective tissue. Gums attach to the cementum and the neck of your tooth.
· Pulp
This is the innermost region of your tooth. This includes nerve tissue and tiny vessels called blood vessels.
· Pulp Cavity
This cavity, or the pulp chamber, is a space in the crown and includes pulp.
3. Crown
Crown is the portion of your tooth that is visible and performs various functions. It includes three parts. Below you will find these parts in detail.
· Anatomical Crown
This is the most important part of your teeth’s crown and helps perform a tooth’s function. So the anterior teeth, starting from the left canine to the right canine, include a single edge, which helps tearing down the piece of food. However, the molars and premolars include fissures, pits, and cusps, helping mash and grinding the food in the mouth to make it edible.
· Enamel
Enamel is the layer at the top of your tooth. Enamel is the hardest tissue of your body. It protects your teeth from bacteria and provides strength to your teeth. If you do not properly take care of your teeth, bacteria can damage your enamel and destroy your tooth. You can protect your enamel by regularly visiting your dentist and taking care of your teeth.
· Dentin
Dentin is a layer between the root and the enamel. It makes up the bulk of a tooth. The mineralized layer protects your teeth from cold and heat and enables nutrients to transfer between your tooth layers.
· Gumline
The gumline is where your gums and tooth meet together. Food particles and bacteria stick and build up in the gum line. That is why dentists recommend that you brush your teeth daily, especially before going to bed. The buildup will cause tartar and plaque to form. If you do not treat the plaque and tartar, it can cause various gum diseases and gingivitis. That is why you should maintain the health of your teeth and take care of hygiene.
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Tips For Maintaining the Health of your Teeth
It is important to take care of your teeth as this will eliminate various tooth conditions. The following tips will help in keeping your teeth healthy and strong:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss your teeth daily before going to bed.
- Replace the toothbrush after using it for three months.
- Visit a professional dentist every six months for cleaning your teeth properly.
- Limit the usage of sugary drinks and foods
- Quit smoking. If you are feeling hard to quit smoking, ask the doctor for methods of quitting cigarettes.
Conclusion
If you experience tooth decay or any other condition that causes pain, you can visit our clinic, Bryant Park Endodontics. We will help you understand how to protect your teeth from tooth decay and any other disease related to your mouth and teeth. If you want to consult with our endodontist, contact us at 646-205-3045.
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