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Parts of a Tooth
Parts of a Tooth
Now that you know you have four (4) different types of teeth, let's take a look at the inside of a tooth.
Now that you know you have four (4) different types of teeth, let's take a look at the inside of a tooth.
There are three (3) main parts of a tooth:
There are three (3) main parts of a tooth:
Enamel - this is the hardest structure in the human body and what you see when you look at your teeth.
Dentin - yellow part of the tooth under the enamel that is not quite as hard as enamel, but harder than bone.
Pulp (Nerve) - this is the soft part of the tooth filled with blood vessels and nerves.
Image source: ADA Chairside Instructor
What is Plaque?
What is Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth and along the gum line.
Plaque contains bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.
If you allow plaque to stay on your teeth and the bacteria to grow, the plaque starts to turn yellow.
This photo show yellow plaque on the teeth of a 9 year old who has not been brushing his teeth.
Image source: Theodore Croll, DDS
What can we do to keep our teeth and gums healthy? Brush and floss of course!
What can we do to keep our teeth and gums healthy? Brush and floss of course!
Video Source: Colgate; retrieved from https://youtu.be/1zRVWz2WkAY
Proper Toothbrushing
Proper Toothbrushing
The best way to take care of your teeth is to use a soft bristled tooth brush, for 2 minutes, twice a day to remove the plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Make sure to use toothpaste with Fluoride to keep your teeth strong! Check out the cool videos from Colgate on How to Brush Teeth Correctly.
Here's a video on taking care of your teeth that includes 2-minute timer that starts at the 1:14 mark:
Here's a video on taking care of your teeth that includes 2-minute timer that starts at the 1:14 mark:
Dental Sealants
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are made of a plastic material that is placed on the chewing surface (top) of the permanent molars to help protect them from bacteria and acids that cause cavities. The plastic resin in sealants is placed by a dental hygienist into the grooves of the chewing surfaces of back teeth and a light is used to bond the sealant to the enamel . The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the enamel surface of the teeth from plaque and acids.
Why do I need dental sealants? I'm an awesome toothbrusher!
Why do I need dental sealants? I'm an awesome toothbrusher!
Image Source: http://dr4greatsmiles.com/sealants.html
Thorough brushing and flossing helps remove food and plaque from the smooth surfaces of teeth, but toothbrushes can't reach all the way into the deep grooves on top.
Plaque accumulates in these areas, and the acid from bacteria in the plaque attacks the enamel, causing cavities to develop.
While fluoride helps prevent decay and helps protect all the surfaces of the teeth, dental sealants add extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas.
Sealants can help protect these vulnerable areas by "sealing out" plaque and food from the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Video on Sealants
Video on Sealants
This cute video shows how sealants are placed.
Video source: Dear Doctor, Inc; retrieved from https://www.deardoctor.com/dental-videos/
Page Updated: January 2, 2024
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