subject: Understand The Role Of Your Teeth To Maintain A Healthy Smile [print this page] Many people often take their teeth for granted until something goes wrong. Knowing how to care for your teeth and when to see dental attention is key in providing a healthy smile. Our teeth help us chew and digest food, play an important role in speech, and impact our overall health. By brushing up on your dental health knowledge, you will be taking the first step toward giving your teeth the attention they need and deserve. So how much do you know about your teeth?
The Development of Your Teeth
We have two sets of teeth, primary (baby) teeth and then permanent teeth, which develop in stages. Although timing is different, the development of each of these sets of teeth is similar. Teeth typically erupt in parallel, meaning that the top molar on your left side should grow in at about the same time as the top molar on the right.
Tooth development begins long before your first tooth actually becomes visible. A baby's first toot typically appears around six months of age, but development of those teeth actually begins during the early second trimester of pregnancy. The crown of a tooth is the first to form, while the roots continue to develop even after the tooth is erupted.
Twenty primary teeth are in place by age three and remain until around six years of age when they begin to fall out to make way for the permanent set of teeth. Your adult teeth will begin to grow in between six and 12 years of age, with most adults having 32 permanent teeth. Permanent teeth are larger and take longer to grow in than primary teeth.
Parts of the Tooth
A tooth is divided into two basic parts: the crown and the root. The crown is the visible, white part of the tooth, while the root you can't see as it extends below the gum line and anchors the tooth into the bone. Your teeth contain four kinds of tissue and each performs a different job.
The enamel is the visible substance that covers the tooth crown. Harder than bone, enamel protects the tooth from decay and is made up of phosphorous and calcium. Underneath the enamel you will find dentin, which is calcified and looks similar to bone. Dentin is not quite as hard as enamel, so it is at a greater risk for decay if the enamel ever wears away.
Covering the tooth root and helping anchor it into the bone is cementum, which is softer than enamel and dentin. The best way to protect this softer tissue from decay is by taking proper care of your gums. It has a light yellow color and is usually covered by the gums, but with inadequate dental care, the gums may become diseased and shrink, exposing the cementum to harmful plaque and bacteria. Lastly, at the center of your tooth is the pulp, which contains the blood vessels, nerves, and other soft tissues that deliver nutrients and signals to your teeth.
Your mouth is important, so don't have your teeth or oral health for granted. For good dental health, brush and floss your teeth regularly, don't smoke, eat a healthy diet, and visit your dentist in Western Springs regularly for dental cleanings and checkups.
