Teeth, despite their small size are extraordinarily complex. Teeth are a living part of your body that need to be cared for by brushing and regular visits to your local Frankston dental clinic, Beachside Complete Dental Care. Here is a brief tooth anatomy lesson which discusses the structure of your teeth.
The diagram below shows a cross sectional view of a tooth:
Each tooth has two anatomical parts, the crown, and the root. The crown is the visible white part of your tooth above the gumline and is made up of three parts: Enamel, dentine and the pulp chamber.
- Enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body! Enamel cannot repair itself if it is broken or wears down as it is not made of actual cells. Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits will help you to protect your enamel.
- Beneath enamel is dentine, which is a bone like structure consisting of minerals a tubules leading towards the pulp. Dentine is softer than enamel and tooth sensitivity can be caused by anything that exposes dentine, such as brushing too hard, acidic foods and drinks that dissolve enamel, cracking a tooth, cavities.
- The softest and innermost layer of your tooth is called the pulp chamber. The pulp chamber contains living tissues (blood vessels and nerves). Blood vessels keep the tooth alive and nerves provide sensation including pain receptors. If a cavity becomes severe enough to reach the pulp, you will feel it and if you have not already made a dental appointment, it is best to do so.
Root of your tooth:
The root of your tooth descends below the gumline, lying beneath the surface of your gums and is the long part of your tooth that connects to your jawbone (alveolar bone). The root is coated in a hard layer of tissue called cementum, which is roughly as hard as bone although softer than enamel. On one side the root, the cementum is connected to the dentine, on the other side the cementum is attached to the periodontal ligament. Tiny periodontal ligaments hold each tooth is place and gum tissue provide extra support. The neck of the tooth is where the crown and root meet at the gumline. Roots are hollow, with canals linking nerves and blood vessels in the dental pulp to the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Caring for your teeth:
Every part of a tooth’s anatomy is essential for the function of your teeth and important for the tooth in staying strong and healthy. Ensure you practice a good oral hygiene regimen and visit your dental practitioner and dental hygienist at the best Mornington Peninsula dental clinic – Beachside Complete Dental Care – at least twice a year for your professional dental care.
For more information on dental health, or our services including cosmetic dentistry and dental surgery, consult with our dental experts at Beachside Complete Dental Care. We can help you with all your dental needs, and help you fix your teeth to give you the confidence and smile that you’ve always wanted!
Ref: Woeflel’s Dental Anatomy Ninth Edition, 2017
