Everyone has teeth. They are an essential part of our day to day, the part of our mouths that facilitate the chewing of food in order to break it down and send it to our stomachs to be digested. This is a fact, and it is a fact that is common knowledge amongst everyone.
What many people don’t know is the answer to a simple question: what are the parts of a tooth? There is more to a tooth than what meets the eye, and this article will break down each part of the tooth for a better understanding.
What are the Parts of a Tooth?
This portion will go into each individual part of the tooth, right down to its root. This includes:
- Crown
- Gum Line
- Root
- Enamel
- Dentin
- Pulp
The Crown
The crown is the top part of the tooth that is typically visible to you. The shape of the crown defines the function of the teeth. For instance, the front teeth are sharp and are meant for piercing foods, while your molars consist of flat surfaces that are perfect for grinding food down once it has been bitten off.
The Gum Line
The gum line is, quite simply, where the teeth and the gums come together. When you do not spend the adequate amount of time brushing and flossing your teeth, tartar and plaque easily build up at the gum line that can possibly cause gum disease and gingivitis. Floss your teeth!
The Root
The root is the section of the tooth that is embedded deeply in the bone. The root makes up almost two-thirds of the tooth and serves to ensure your teeth stay in place.
The Enamel
The enamel is the outermost layer of our teeth. It is the hardest and most mineralized tissue in the whole entire body. Still, the enamel can easily be damaged by tooth decay if one does not take proper care of their teeth.
The Dentin
Dentin is the layer of the tooth beneath the enamel that helps to support the enamel. It is softer than the enamel and holds some of the nerve fibers that tell you when something might be wrong with your teeth. If decay progresses through the enamel, it goes for the dentin next, where millions of tubes rest that lead directly to the pulp.
The Pulp
Pulp is the soft tissue that is found in the middle of all of your teeth. This is where you will find both the blood vessels and the tissue. The pulp is also responsible for sending signals to your brain and for receiving nourishment from food.
Due to the delicate nature of the pulp, if tooth decay makes its way to the center and to the pulp, you will typically feel a good deal of pain because of it due to all of the nerve endings.
What are the Different Types of Teeth?
Now that we are familiar with what each and every tooth consists of, let us take a brief look at the different types of teeth in detail:
- Canine
- Premolars
- Molars
- Incisors
Canines
Canines are also known as cuspids. The canines are shaped like cusps, or a pointed shape, and are used for tearing your food.
Premolars
Premolars are the teeth that have two cusps on their surface, sometimes also referred to as bicuspids. These premolars are there for the purpose of tearing and crushing your food to help break it down.
Molars
Molars are used for grinding your food to allow it to better digest. These teeth have many cusps on the surface of them.
Incisors
Incisors are the sharp and chiseled front teeth, four on the lower jaw and four on the upper jaw, used for slicing into your food.
While some of the strongest things in the body, without proper care, teeth can weaken. Decay makes its way from the top of the teeth all the way down to its central pulp, causing rotting and pain. The crown and the enamel serve as the first layer available to protect the teeth from that, but it can happen. Once decay touches those, it moves to the dentin, the pulp, and the root.
The gumline which is responsible for holding all of this together can also become damaged or diseased without proper care. These aspects are present in every tooth in your mouth: your incisors, your canines, your molars and your premolars. Taking care of them is imperative to good health.
Are you still asking yourself “what are the parts of the tooth?” Do you want a little more information on a specific part? What do you know about teeth that you would like to add? Leave us a note in the “Comments” section.
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