Your teeth are more than the building blocks of your smile. They are ectodermal organs that allow you to bite and crush food for digestion. Professional and at-home dental care is required to maintain the health of your teeth through disease, wear and tear, and changes due to age.
At Modern Family Dental, we believe that we should not only provide the highest quality dental care in Concord, NC, but also educate our patients about their teeth. After reading this post, you’ll be able to describe the anatomy of your teeth and the common conditions that can negatively impact your oral health and overall smile.
Basic Anatomy of a Tooth
The typical human adult has 32 permanent teeth. Though these teeth are shaped differently depending on their position in the mouth, they all have the same basic anatomy.
The top part of the tooth, the part that you can easily see if you smile in the mirror, is called the crown. The crown is visible above the gums and is covered by a hard protective layer called the enamel. The bottom part of your teeth, located beneath the gums, is called the root. The roots anchor each tooth into the jaw, allowing you to bite without fearing that your teeth will wiggle or fall out.
Structure of a Tooth
The specific structure of each of your teeth largely depends on the type of tooth you’re looking at. There are four types of teeth:
- Incisors: The crown of these teeth form a single, narrow edge that makes it easy to tear food. These are located at the very front of your mouth and include your two front teeth.
- Canines: True to their name, your canines’ pointy shape gives them a similar resemblance to a dog’s teeth. Your canines are located next to your incisors on both sides of your mouth.
- Premolars: The crown of your premolars shares characteristics with that of your molars and canines, and your premolars are located between these teeth as well.
- Molars: Your molars are located at the very back of the mouth and have a largely flat shape. Your wisdom teeth are part of your molars.
Our dentist in Concord, NC, Dr. Taj Haynes, is equipped to take care of all of your teeth, whether you need a simple procedure like a professional dental cleaning or more complex care like a root canal.
Layers of a Tooth
Each tooth has four main layers. The outermost layer, the enamel, protects the inner layers and the tooth from cavity-causing bacteria. Next, just underneath the enamel is the dentin. The dentin layer is meant to protect your tooth as well, but it isn’t as strong as your enamel. The next layer is the cementum, which covers the tooth root and helps root the tooth in the jaw. The innermost layer is the tooth pulp. Blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues are located in this layer.
Common Conditions that Affect Teeth
Even with all of the layers that make up and protect our teeth, they are still vulnerable to disease and damage without the proper care and precaution. Here are some of the conditions that can negatively impact your oral health:
Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a condition where the supportive tissue around the teeth is infected and inflamed. Though periodontitis primarily affects the gums, your teeth can become loose and eventually fall out if left untreated.
Trauma
The health of your teeth is not solely dependent on keeping bacteria and plaque from growing on them. Dental trauma that results in a cracked, broken, or knocked-out tooth, which can be very painful and have severe consequences if left untreated.
Misalignment
If your permanent teeth emerge from the jaw or become crooked, it can cause a bite misalignment or your teeth to become crowded. This can make it difficult to chew. Mild misalignment can be corrected with methods like Invisalign, while more severe cases may require traditional braces.
Discoloration
Teeth can lose their bright white appearance over time due to a lack of routine care, an acidic diet, or poor habits like smoking. You can get tooth discoloration corrected with professional tooth whitening in Concord, NC.
Dental Care in Concord, NC
Teeth are an important part of our everyday life and appearance. Knowing their structure, anatomy, and the conditions that commonly affect your teeth is helpful knowledge to have to aid in decision-making about future treatments.
At Modern Family Dental, whether it is administering treatment or answering our patients’ questions, we take pride in providing excellent dental care in Concord, near Charlotte, NC. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!
