With Proper Care, You Can Keep Your Teeth for a Lifetime!
On the surface, our teeth appear to be simple structures that are part of our upper and lower jawline and that allow us to chew and breakdown our food. And on the surface, that’s correct. But human teeth are actually far more complicated and interesting than that, and require regular care in order for them to do their jobs. Our teeth are meant to last us our lifetimes, which is why it’s important to take good care of them and to see a periodontist in Orlando the moment you suspect one or more of them might need attention. Let’s delve a little deeper into what makes up a tooth, what kinds of teeth we have, and how best to take care of them.
How Many and What Kind?
Most adults have 32 teeth, each one essentially comprised of two anatomical parts: The crown, which is the part that’s covered with enamel and that’s usually visible, and the root, the part that’s embedded in the jaw and that anchors the tooth into its bony socket. When a tooth is healthy, the root is normally not visible. There are four distinct types of teeth — incisors, canines, premolars, and molars, each with a specific job to perform. The incisors cut our food, the canines tear the food, and the molars and premolars crush the food. This division of labor allows us to eat a broad diet and get the most out of our food nutritionally, which is why it’s important to make sure you maintain good oral hygiene. Taking good care of your teeth, which includes regular visits to your dentist or periodontist in Orlando, increases the likelihood that your teeth will stick around for a lifetime. Remember, losing just one tooth will compromise your ability to eat food efficiently and effectively, so it’s vital that you brush and floss regularly.
What Makes Up a Tooth?
If you took a cross section of a human tooth, you’d see it’s made up of layers, all of them very important. The outermost layer is comprised of enamel. Enamel consists mostly of a rock-hard mineral called calcium phosphate, making it the hardest substance in our bodies. Given the job our teeth have to do, it’s no surprise that enamel is as tough as it is. Just beneath the enamel is another hard layer called dentin. Dentin consists of living tissues and tubules that communicate with the nerves of your teeth. When your gums recede and dentin becomes exposed, the tooth becomes sensitive to heat or cold, and that can be painful. Beneath dentin lies the tooth’s pulp, a soft layer that is at the heart of each tooth and that consists of living blood vessels, connective tissue, and large nerves. Because it branches out and continues down each root through the canals of the tooth and stops just shy of the root’s end, pulp is commonly referred to as the nerve of a tooth. Finally, there is a layer called cementum, which consists of connective tissue that binds the roots of the teeth firmly to the gums and jawbone.
Keep Your Teeth Healthy by Visiting a Periodontist in Orlando
Because of the importance and complexity of each tooth, it’s essential that you see professionals, like a periodontist in Orlando, on a regular basis to help maintain proper oral hygiene. Our offices are staffed by knowledgeable and gentle experts who can help keep your smile beautiful and your teeth healthy for years to come!
If you aren’t smiling as often as you’d like because your teeth aren’t as healthy as they should be, contact us today and let us help!
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