Did you know adult teeth have a biting force of up to 200lbs? Talk about strong teeth! Humans are all born with 20 baby teeth, which are just below the gumline and emerge after the first 6 months of a baby’s life. Our individual DNA predetermines the time each tooth will emerge and fall out eventually, as well as the time when the adult tooth will grow in to replace it. Only poor oral hygiene and an accident will disrupt this natural process. It’s important to keep in mind that proper dental care is an essential habit that needs to be developed very early on, as it defines the future oral health.

The Structure of the Tooth

What makes the tooth the hardest substance in the body? They comprise 96% minerals, making them harder than bones. There are a lot of different layers of tissue in each tooth, all serving a specific purpose. Let’s take a closer look at the anatomy of the tooth.

The Anatomy of the tooth, Source: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/picture-of-the-teeth

Teeth are made of the visible part, above the gum line, called the crown, the neck, which is the middle part, and the root, which is not visible and located under the gumline.  

The crown consists of 3 parts:

  • The anatomical crown. This is the top part of the tooth, which is the most visible part.
  • The enamel. This is the substance that covers the surface of the crown and it is responsible for protecting the teeth from toxic bacteria. It is made of an extremely hard mineral such as calcium phosphate, and thanks to it the mouth can withstand the pressure of biting and chewing.
  • The dentin or dentine. This is the tissue that makes up for the bulk of the tooth. Similarly, it consists of the same mineral, making it harder than bone but not as hard as enamel. When the dentine is exposed, due to poor dental care, the patient develops high sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks and sweets. Dentine hypersensitivity is one of the biggest concerns in oral health.

The neck, also known as the dental cervix, is the middle part that links the crown and the root. Its main 3 parts are:

  • The gums, or the gingiva. This pink, fleshy tissue is attached to the cement of each tooth and the enamel.
  • Pulp cavity. This is the space inside the crown that holds the pulp, the nerves, and blood vessels. The upper part of the pulp cavity is the pulp chamber, and the lower part is the root canal, which is found deeper down the roots of the tooth.
  • Pulp. This is the soft, gelatinous tissue in the center of the tooth and it consists of 80% water and 20% of inorganic material and cells called odontoblasts. Its main functions include the formation and nutrition of the dentine and the innervation of the tooth.

The root is the deepest structural part of the tooth with several highly important parts. It’s the part that extends to the bone and provides support to the tooth, and it’s approximately 2 times bigger than the crown. Each tooth has one or more roots and the main parts of a root are the following:

  • Root canal. As the name suggests, this is the passageway where the pulp is located.
  • Cementum or cement. This is the thin layer of a hard dental tissue which covers the anatomical roots of the tooth. Cementum is not as hard as dentine and is made of 45-50% inorganic material such as collagen and proteins and 50-55% water.
  • Periodontal ligament (PDL). This is the soft tissue that really holds the tooth and the bone together. It’s made of connective tissue and collagen fibers, and both nerves and blood vessels run through it. Its functions include absorbing the pressure of chewing, biting and grinding and allowing teeth movement in orthodontic treatments. PDLs are also susceptible to periodontal inflammation and are harder to regenerate, so it comes down to proper oral care.
  • Nerves and blood vessels. They are both essential to the structure of the teeth, as the blood vessels provide necessary nutrients for the periodontal ligament and the nerves help control the force when chewing and or biting.
  • Jaw bone. Also known as the alveolar bone, it provides support to all the teeth. The upper jawbone is fixed and called maxilla and the lower jawbone is movable and called mandible.

The Importance of Proper Dental Care

 Each part of the tissues that surround the structure of the tooth plays a very crucial role in oral health. From the enamel to the nerves, each requires proper dental hygiene to stay intact and protect the teeth from bite force, bacteria, and temperature changes.

The crown is mostly made of hard minerals to prevent toxins and bacteria from entering the gums and the bloodstream. The integrity of the neck of the tooth will help protect from gum diseases such as gingivitis, gum bleeding, and inflammation. The root comprises softer tissues, and any damage there is more complicated and risky to be addressed by a dental practitioner. 

The quality of the teeth is also defined by DNA, but it comes down to the practice of good dental hygiene from a young age. Brushing your teeth and tongue properly 2-3 times a day with the right toothbrush, using dental floss daily, and using mouthwash for fresh breath do more good than you may think. A solid dental care routine saves you a lot of painful visits to the dentist and a lot of expensive and uncomfortable dental treatments.

Sources:

https://soundviewfamilydental.com/blog/10-fun-facts-about-human-teeth/

https://www.healthline.com/health/tooth-anatomy#structure-and-function

http://www.uky.edu/~brmacp/oralhist/module4/lecture/oh4lect.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537112/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/cementum

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/mouth-and-teeth-anatomy/periodontal-ligament-what-is-it