Since in our last blog we discussed the different types of teeth, we wanted to go a step further this time and describe the anatomy of our teeth. Learning the basics about the anatomy of our teeth can help us keep our smiles healthy and beautiful. As such, we’d like to spend some time discussing the different parts of the teeth!
At Desoto Family Dental Care, we’re proud to provide a number of quality dental services to those around Hernando, MS. Our knowledgeable and experienced team is dedicated not just to providing the best possible dental care, but also the educational resources that go towards improving our oral health. If you’re interested in any of our dental services, call our Hernando office today! Otherwise, keep reading to learn more about the different parts of the teeth!
The Different Parts of the Teeth
- Enamel: The enamel is the outermost part of a tooth. It’s a highly mineralized tissue that protects the more sensitive interior of the tooth from things like extreme temperatures or bacteria. It’s important to take good care of the enamel, because it can begin to decay if you let plaque and tartar–and thus bacteria–build up around the teeth.
- Dentin: The dentin is the next layer below the enamel. While it’s quite mineralized like the enamel, it’s not quite as strong. So when decay reaches the dentin, you might start to feel sensitivity or pain in the affected tooth.
- Crown: The crown is the visible portion of the teeth. Surprisingly, it makes up only one-third of each tooth. The crown of each tooth is shaped differently, depending on whether it’s a molar, premolar, canine, or an incisor.
- Root: The root of your tooth refers to the two-thirds portion below the gums. The root reaches all the way to the jawbone, where it’s fused.
- Pulp: The pulp refers to the contents inside the hollow center of the tooth. It’s mostly made up of blood vessels and nerve tissue. When the damage or decay reaches all the way to the pulp, you might experience more serious sensitivity and tooth pain.
- Gumline: the gumline refers to where the crown meets the gums. The gumline is an important part of oral hygiene. When plaque, tartar, and bacteria reside below the gumline, you increase your risk for tooth decay and early stages of gum disease.
Your Hernando Dentists!
If you’re in need of dental care in Hernando, look no further than Desoto! Give us a call today at 662-429-5239 to schedule a consultation. You can also contact us here!