We all know a lot about teeth. We know what a tooth looks like and what a tooth is for: eating and having a pretty smile. We know they are bone and need to be brushed and flossed to prevent cavities and we know that junk food is a no no. However, when taking a closer look at a tooth, it’s important to know about the different parts and their functions.
Each tooth basically has two main parts: the crown and the root. These two parts meet together at what is called the neck which hides just below the gums.
A Pretty Crown Tops a Tooth
This is the part of the tooth we can actually see. It’s made up of the enamel, dentine and pulp. Each crown has different shapes and sizes. Those in the front have straight edges, which is great for cutting food.
The back teeth are molars and they have a cusps in them are basically raised parts of the tooth for chewing and grinding food. Nestled between the incisors and molars are called the canine teeth which are pointy for holding onto food while it’s being chewed up for digestion.
As far as cusps go, the molars have four or more, while pre molars have about two. When the incisors come in, they can have 3 or more small cuspettes that resemble a serrated edge. Over time these cuspettes wear down and make a straighter edge.
As Strong as Tooth Enamel
When you take a look at your tooth, there is a white hard covering over the crown. This is called the enamel, and it pretty much makes up the cusps on the molars and pre molars.
Tooth enamel is the hardest material within the human body and it doesn’t have any nerves. This means that when it chips or cracks, there is no pain. Enamel has no blood as well. What all this means is that when enamel is damaged in any way, it will remain that way.
Where Tooth Pain Originates
The bulk of the tooth is made up of a cream colored material called dentine. It’s covered up by the enamel and cementum on the roots. Inside the dentine is the nerves and blood vessels which it protects it is the part of the tooth that can register pain. When there is damage to the tooth where dentine is exposed, thats when you feel tooth pain.
The Complicated Insides of Teeth
There are three main elements that make up the insides of teeth.
- Pulp – nerves and blood vessels make up the pulp of the tooth. The root canals are found here and when the pulp is damaged, a root canal procedure will have to be performed to save the tooth.
- Roots -The roots of a tooth keep it anchored to the jaw bone. Incisors have one root and premolars have one or two. The molars can have up to three roots.
- Cementum – The roots are covered in a calcified layer called cementum. It meets the enamel at the neck, and it also covers the dentine and has no nerves.
Healthy Teeth Stay in Your Mouth
The Periodontal ligament keeps teeth in your mouth provided that they don’t rot away. Without the periodontal ligament, the roots would not be attached to the jaw. It basically provides a bouncy cushion between tooth and bone. The ligament gives the tooth that slight movement.
Next time you take a look at your teeth, look a little longer and see if you can point out and have an understanding of the complexities of the tooth. Then brush and floss to keep a healthy and bright smile!
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Kelly Wilson is a freelance writer who learned about the anatomy of her teeth from Dr. Robert McDowell, a Dentist in Gladstone, OR.
