Most people know that their teeth help them chew their food and that they can either add or detract from their smile, but beyond that their knowledge about their teeth is limited. However, as in most areas of life, “knowledge is power” and the more you know about your teeth, the better you will be able to take care of them so that they last you for your lifetime.

First of all, you have several different types of teeth in your mouth and each one has a specific job or purpose:

– Canine Teeth (also known as cuspids). These teeth have a single point and one root. Adults have four canine teeth that help hold and tear food getting it ready for the digestive process.

– Incisor Teeth – These are the teeth in the front of your mouth. They have narrow edges and are used mostly for cutting or biting into food. Adults have four incisors on the top of their mouth and four on the bottom. Each incisor has one root.

– Molar Teeth – This wide, flat tooth that is located in the back of your mouth grinds and chews your food. Each of us starts our adult lives with six molars in our top jaw and six in our bottom jaw. The top molars have three roots each and the bottom molars have two roots each.

– Premolar Teeth (also called bicuspids) – Between your canine teeth and your molars are premolar or bicuspid teeth. They have two sharp points (also known as cusps) that help in ripping and piercing food, but they also have a wide surface that helps with chewing and grinding. In a healthy mouth with a full set of teeth, there are four bicuspids in the top jaw and four in the bottom jaw. Each of these teeth has one root.

– Wisdom Teeth – At one time in history, these teeth were important for humankinds’ survival but now often have to be pulled shortly after they erupt-usually around the age of twenty-five.

Even though they have different purposes, each of your teeth consists of several different parts or layers, each one of which plays a very important role in the way the tooth functions.

– Crown – This is the part of the tooth that is visible when you smile. It’s also the part that bites, chews, grinds and tears your food. Depending on what kind of tooth it is, the crown of a tooth will vary in the way that it looks and functions.

– Root -The part of the tooth that goes into the gum tissue and secures your tooth to your jawbone, the tooth root is actually two-thirds of the entire tooth.

– Enamel – This white covering that surrounds the entire tooth is one of the strongest surfaces in your body…even stronger than your bones.

– Dentin – This yellow, bonelike substance which resides beneath your tooth enamel contains tiny nerve endings.

– Pulp – A soft material that is found in the center of your tooth houses all of the blood vessels and nerve endings that keep your tooth alive and well.

– Cementum – Each tooth is connected to the jawbone by this layer of strong tissue that covers the root.

– Periodontal Ligament – Residing between the jawbone and the tooth root, this soft layer provides a cushion so that a hard surface is not rubbing on another hard surface.

– Gum Tissue – Pinkish in color, this covering protects the tooth root and jawbone so that food and debris do not get to or gather around the sensitive parts of the tooth.

– Aveolar Bone – Also known as the jawbone, this is the ‘solid ground’ in which the root of the tooth resides.

An adult who still has all of their teeth, has thirty-two of these strong, hard working structures that are so crucial for digestive health. While many of us take these small white soldiers for granted, they need to be taken care of just like the other important parts of the body to ensure a long, healthy life.

Author Bio: After graduating as a DMD in 1988 Dr. Vito Clarizio started his own practice in Whitestone, NY and has been in private practice here for over 20 years. He is loved by both his patients and his staff. His core staff has been with him since the beginning of the practice. http://whitestonegentledentist.com

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: teeth, dental care, dental education, dental knowledge, learn about teeth