Your teeth are made from the strongest substances in your body — enamel. Your teeth are stronger than your bones. If you think about it, they have to be. Just think of what they do all day long, day in and day out. They are responsible for chewing and beginning the digestive process. They help you breathe and help you talk. Teeth are amazing structures in your body. Bitterroot Dental is a Top Rated Local® dentist in Missoula. We specialize in general dentistry, including family dentistry, and we offer specialized dental services, such as gum treatments, cosmetic dentistry, and laser dentistry. Below, we’ll review the anatomy of your tooth. Contact us today!
THE ANATOMY OF A TOOTH
- Crown. The crown of your tooth is the top part of your tooth, what you flash when you smile. There are different shapes of the crown of your teeth, depending on its function. You have incisors, canines, premolars, and molars — all of which are shaped differently.
- Gumline. This is where your tooth connects to your mouth. Your gums are soft tissue in your mouth that surround the tooth and provide a protective seal. Your gums are tightly connected to your jawbone, so as to resist the friction of food constantly passing over them. The gumline is vital to the health of your tooth because it can recede, which exposes your tooth and puts it in danger of falling out. Your gums also seal vital tissue from being infected, which can cause serious problems if viruses and bacteria invade your bloodstream. Your gumline is a common place for plaque and tartar to build up, which can lead to gum disease.
- Root. The root, like most roots in nature, holds your tooth in place in your bone. Your gums protect your root.
- Dentin. Dentin is the layer of tooth under the enamel. The tooth itself is made of four substances: enamel, cementum, pulp, and dentin. All people’s dentin has a yellowish tint to it, which can affect how your teeth whitening process turns out.
- Enamel. Like we mentioned above, enamel is the hardest substance in your body. However, just because your teeth are incredibly strong does not mean you can skimp on good oral hygiene. Plaque bacteria produce acids that can attack enamel and eat it away, exposing the other layers of your teeth. Once enamel is gone, it can be extremely difficult to get it back.
- Pulp. The name for the center of your tooth, the pulp or endodontium is the “living” tissue. It’s where the blood vessels and nerve tissues are located. The job of your pulp is to form dentin, helping to keep your teeth strong.
Bitterroot Dental is your go-to Missoula dentist. We utilize the latest technology to keep your teeth healthy and strong, from digital x-rays to lasers. We offer the highest quality dental care in Missoula and are proud to serve the community as the best dental office. Our patients are family, and you can rest assured when you choose Bitterroot Dental in Missoula, you are valued. Contact us today for your next dental check-up!
