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Teeth
Your teeth play a big role in digestion. Though they look more like bones, teeth are actually ectodermal organs. Other ectodermal organs include your hair, skin and sweat glands. The human teeth function to mechanically break down items, such as food, by cutting and crushing them in preparation for swallowing and digesting, and are considered a part of our digestive system.
Layers
Teeth are put in different categories, the crown is the visible layer on the tooth, above the gum line. The neck is a narrow region at the gum line where the crown and root meet. The roots are in your gums attached to your jawbone keeping them in place.
The enamel is the extremely hard layer of the crown, protecting it from any kind of damage. The cementum is a bonelike layer that is attached to your jawbone, also helping to keep your teeth in place. The dentin is the layer beneath the enamel and cementum, forming the bulk of the tooth's structure and containing sensitive tubules. The pulp is in the center of your teeth, it's a soft tissue containing blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic tissue.
Humans have four different types of teeth. The incisors, canines, premolars and molars. The incisors are the front teeth, adults usually have 8. The canine teeth also known as cuspids, dog teeth, eye teeth, vampire teeth, or fangs, are relatively long and pointed. In the upper jaw, they are often referred to specifically as fangs. However, they can sometimes appear more flattened, giving them an incisor-like appearance; in such cases, they are described as incisiform. The premolars are the teeth in between the incisors and the canines. We have two of them on each side. On the top and bottom, so in total we have eight of them. The molars or molar teeth are large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth. They are more developed in mammals. They are used primarily to grind food during chewing.
Function
All of your teeth work together harmoniously to cut, tear, mix and grind your food into smaller pieces. Then, your tongue and oropharynx (the upper part of your throat) shape the food into a small ball that’s easy to swallow.
Anatomy
Crown. This is the part of your tooth that you can see the portion above your gums. Enamel is a hard, protective substance that covers your tooth crown. Root. This is the part of your tooth that holds it in your jaw. You can’t see the root because your gums cover it. The root anchors your tooth to your periodontal ligament (the soft connective tissue that lines your tooth socket).
What are the layers made of?
Enamel is the protective outer layer of each tooth. Enamel helps shield your teeth from cavity-causing bacteria. It is the hardest substance in the human body. Dentin is just underneath your enamel, there’s a layer of dentin. Dentin isn’t as strong as enamel. When missing enamel exposes dentin, your risk for cavities increases. Cementum covers your tooth root. Along with your periodontal tissues, it helps anchor your tooth firmly in your jaw. Tooth pulp is the innermost layer of your tooth. It contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues.
What are the common conditions that can affect your teeth?
Tooth decay is one of the most common dental issues. Over 90% of adults in the U.S. over 40 have had at least one cavity. Cavities can form when bacteria eat through the hard, outer layer of your enamel. Once the dentin underneath loses this protective layer, the bacteria continue to erode your tooth.
Other common issues that can affect your teeth include:
- Bruxism (teeth grinding). Clenching and grinding your teeth can erode the enamel and make your teeth more susceptible to damage.
- Teeth sensitivity. Most of the time, teeth sensitive to heat and cold have worn enamel or exposed roots.
- Trauma to your mouth. Vehicular accidents, sports-related injuries and other traumas can lead to chipped, cracked or knocked-out teeth.
- Tooth discoloration. Though it’s normal for some foods and drinks, such as tea, coffee or berries to stain your teeth over time. You can also develop tooth discoloration from taking certain medications.
- Impacted teeth. Sometimes teeth don’t erupt properly and they get stuck in your gums or jaw bone. The most common example is wisdom teeth impaction, though it can happen to any tooth.
- Orthodontic misalignment. Crooked, gapped, crowded or rotated teeth are all examples of orthodontic misalignment. These conditions can have a negative impact on your oral health and chewing function.
- Abscessed tooth. Sometimes bacteria invade the pulp, the innermost layer of your tooth. When this happens, you could develop a painful abscess (pocket of pus).
- Gum disease. Even though gum disease starts in your gums, it can eventually lead to loose teeth and tooth loss.
Comments
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goobcel
Woah that's really cool!!
thank youuuu!! i was really bored this morning so i read a lot about teeth
by ⇶dryho♪; ; Report