Knowing the different parts of a tooth can help us better understand our teeth and hopefully take better care of them! Here are the different parts of a tooth.

Enamel

The outermost layer of your tooth is made up of enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body. The visible part of your tooth that the enamel covers is called the crown of the tooth.

Tooth enamel is your tooth’s first defense against decay and bacteria. Although it can’t regrow once it’s been fully formed, it can re-mineralize, helping it remain strong against cavities that result from tooth decay.

Enamel is translucent, shiny, and protects your teeth from decay and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures!

Cementum

Cementum is a hard tissue covering your tooth roots, or the part of the tooth that rests below the gumline. This material is typically a pale yellowish color.

Although not as sturdy as enamel, it does have a bone-like consistency. When cementum
becomes exposed due to gum recession, it can be extremely sensitive to hot and cold, making tooth sensitivity a symptom of receding gum tissue.

Dentin

Like cementum, dentin isn’t as hard as enamel. Unlike cementum, dentin makes up the majority of your tooth.

Dentin rests underneath your enamel and cementum and maintains a bone-like consistency
much like cementum. Dentin protects the inner chamber of the tooth, which contains the pulp, and can be extremely sensitive to both bacteria and temperatures if the enamel is not there to cover it.

This is why people who have compromised tooth enamel due to decay or teeth grinding tend to have more cavities and sensitive teeth.

Pulp

The pulp is in the heart of the tooth and contains the only soft tissue of the tooth. Everything the tooth needs to live is in the pulp, including its blood supply and nerves.
The pulp resides in two places: the pulp chamber, which is in the crown of the tooth, and the pulp canals, which extend down into the roots of the tooth.

The tooth’s pulp is an extremely sensitive area that is susceptible to infection if it becomes
damaged, which can lead to the death of the tooth. If this happens, you’ll likely need root canal therapy to keep your tooth, or an extraction may be required.

Understanding more about your tooth’s structure can help you better understand how decay works and how important it is to protect your teeth from damage. Eating a healthy nutritious diet and keeping up with your oral care routine can help your teeth do what they do naturally—resist bacteria and tooth decay for a healthy smile!

The post Smile 101: What Are the Different Parts of a Tooth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

1. Use Moderation – You are obviously going to be eating some things that you normally do not have. Rather than skipping on a piece of grandma’s famous pie, just be sure that you eat a balanced meal with lots of good nutrition. A second helping of vegetables during dinner can help balance out the pH in the mouth despite a rich dessert. Just don’t eat the whole pie.

2. Be Choosey About Treats – Certain sweets are far worse on your teeth than others. For example, chocolates that are filled with sticky caramel are likely to spend more time on your enamel than just some plain chocolate. Avoiding sticky treats will help your teeth to suffer less in between brushings.

3. Keep the Toothbrush with You – Whether it is a family gathering at someone else’s home or an office party, bring your toothbrush with you, and use it. Just one note of caution. If you have a glass of wine, or something else acidic like orange juice, you will want to wait half an hour before brushing. Highly acidic foods and beverages can weaken enamel. Brushing too soon can cause damage.

4. Maintain Your Routine – Keep your toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss in your toiletries bag. Then be sure to maintain your routine, even if you are travelling. Plaque hardens into tartar in about 24 hours, so even skipping one day of brushing is a big deal.

5. Drink Lots of Water – Whether you are drinking it or just rinsing with it, water is an excellent way to keep your mouth clean between brushings. Plus, water helps to even out the pH and reduces how quickly bacteria can spread in the mouth.

6. Use Good Technique – Brush and floss the right way to ensure that you are getting any extra debris clear of your teeth and gums.

By maintaining a good oral care routine and using moderation at parties, at home, and at the office, you can enjoy your holiday treats and still avoid cavities.

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