-what are teeth made of-
Humans have roughly 20 baby teeth while they are young, and by adulthood, they will have 28-32 fully developed permanent teeth. They are crucial in crushing food, assisting with pronunciation, and assuring beauty. So, what are teeth, what sorts, structures, and roles do they serve? We’ll find out in the next article.
1. What exactly are teeth?
Teeth are hard appendages in the mouth cavity whose primary purpose is to grind and rip food. It has a strong bone tissue structure and is firmly lodged in cavities in the jaw frame. Each tooth has two primary parts: the body (the visible component inside the mouth) and the foot (the part that connects to the gums and jawbone). The roots are frequently longer than the crowns; for example, the incisors have just one root, but the rest of the teeth have two or three roots.
Dentin, a calcified structure that mimics bone and contains living cells, is the most significant structural element of teeth. Dentin’s outer layer is covered with enamel, which is a very hard tissue that does not create feeling when touched. To help keep the tooth anchored in the cavity on the jaw frame, the root section of the tooth is covered by a layer of tooth bone with characteristics comparable to the dentin layer.
A hollow space in the centre of the tooth will be filled with sensitive connective tissue called pulp. This section of the pulp spans from the crown to the end of the root, with an aperture at the deepest location in the jawbone at each root. Small blood arteries and nerves can enter the spinal cavity through this hole.
2. Teeth structure
Teeth are composed of three major layers: enamel, dentin, and pulp.
Enamel
Enamel is the toughest tissue in the body, as well as the one with the largest amount of inorganic salts (96%). There are also carbonate salts, MgCO3 (which accounts for 2% of the inorganic compounds), and trace amounts of chloride, fluoride, sodium, and potassium sulphate. Organic substances constitute for 1% of the total, with the majority being lysine arginine (amino acids contained in karetin) and the amino acid histidine.
The enamel layer is hard, brittle, and X-ray resistant; in its natural form, it is transparent, thin, and well absorbed by lime. Looking through the enamel reveals the dentin beneath, giving the teeth a somewhat yellowish white colour from the ivory layer. The early enamel layer of new teeth contains up to 30% organic materials and water. As the glaze matures, the amount of inorganic stuff rises as the crystals become closer together. However, it progressively infiltrates important trace elements such as fluorine, leading apatite to change to fluoroapatite.
Ivory
Dentin is the primary mass in the crown of the tooth that serves to cover and protect the pulp. Normal conditions will not show it because it is totally covered by enamel and bone. On the other hand, this is a less firm and elastic organisation that is not as brittle or delicate as enamel.
The natural ivory layer is a pale yellow material that is very elastic, porous, and permeable. Up to 70% of the composition is inorganic, with phosphate 3 calcium apatite 32H2O dominating. Calcium carbonate, fluoride, and magnesium are also present, as are organic components and water, which constitute for 30% of the total (mostly collagen colloid).
Pulp
The pulp is a mass of tissue capable of linking blood vessels that is found in the pulp cavity, which is placed between the teeth. The pulp, comprising chamber pulp and root pulp, has a comparable form to the exterior contour of the tooth. The volume of the pulp cavity in permanent teeth is determined by the form, size, and number of canals. A root canal is normally present in each root.
- Dental pulp organisations include: Composition of cells: Odontoblasts, fibroblasts, undifferentiated cells, and guard cells all play diverse roles.
- Composition and basis of the fibre: A fibrous mesh, filaments, and bundles of collagen fibres make up this structure.
- Blood vessels in the lungs: The primary blood vessels enter the pulp via the apical foramen, but they can also enter and escape via the accessory canals, particularly in the bifurcation and tripartite zones of multi-rooted teeth.
- Veins: The veins that run to the root of the tooth will have a smaller diameter and a lower number. As a result, the circulation in the marrow decreases, which is helpful to the pulp’s proper metabolism.
3. Organisation of tooth groups
In humans, permanent teeth are classified into four types: incisors, quick teeth, small molars, and molars.
Incisors as a group
The incisor group consists of eight teeth, four in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw. Their biting edges are placed in a straight line, and the bite margin is separated into three parts when newly developed. The chewing action causes the biting edge to wear down and become a straight line over time. When the incisors are seen from the side, the body will be wedge-shaped, with a convex outer surface, a concave inner surface, a heel, and two proximal and distal ridges.
Each incisor has its own set of characteristics, which are as follows:
- Upper jaw incisors are big, whereas lower jaw incisors are smaller.
- The upper jaw’s middle incisors are bigger than the lower ones.
- Because the maxillary incisors are bigger in the mesio-distal direction than in the lateral lateral directions, the body is flattened in the lateral-internal direction.
- Because the lateral aspect of the mandibular incisors is greater than the mesio-distal dimension, the body flattens in the mesio-distal direction.
- The incisors are the same height, but the top jaw is plump and robust, while the lower jaw is thinner.
A collection of fangs
There are two canines in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw. They develop along the angle of the jawbone, splitting the dental arch into anterior and posterior halves. Canines have two edges that meet at an angle, are capable of biting, and have the longest legs.
The molar group is small.
The small molar group consists of eight teeth, four in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw. They develop directly behind the canines, have a square body, and two knobs on the chewing surface, one on the outside and one on the inside. The upper jaw’s first premolar has two legs, but the lower jaw’s first premolar has just one leg.
The molar group is large.
This is the group with the most components, 12 in total, symmetrical with 6 pieces in the top jaw and 6 pieces in the lower jaw. The upper and lower first molars are among the arch’s first permanent teeth to emerge. They are all distinguished by a large chewing surface with numerous tiny bumps. There is:
- Maxillary molars have four knobs on the chewing surface: near outside, near inside, far outside, and far inside. There are also three pins: two exterior pins and one inside leg.
- Mandibular molars: There are five knobs on the chewing surface: near outside, near inside, far outside, and far inside. There are two legs: the proximal leg and the distal foot.
4. The position of the teeth and how to read the ordinal number of teeth
According to dentistry, the teeth are separated into four arcs based on the jaw arch: upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left. Each jaw portion will have 8 permanent teeth numbered from 1 to 8 based on the midline of the jaw. The teeth opposite each other above and below will have the same name and function: Specifically:
- Teeth number 1: The primary incisor tooth is made up of four parts, each with one root, and is placed in the centre of the jaw arch, parallel to the forehead and the bridge of the nose. It is formed like a shovel and serves as a tool for biting and ripping food.
- Teeth number 2: An auxiliary incisor, which is placed on both sides of the primary incisor and has one root. They serve the purpose of assisting the number one teeth in biting and tearing food.
- Teeth number 3: Canines, which have one leg, are pointed and have the longest leg component. It can develop over the gum line, resulting in crooked teeth that give you a more appealing grin.
- Teeth number 4 and 5: 1st and 2nd premolars and 1st and 2nd premolars, 4 each. They have 1-2 legs positioned just next to the teeth, a spear-shaped, thick snout, four sharp edges, and their primary function is to rip food.
- Teeth number 6: consists of four teeth: molars, first molars, and first molars. They have a vast surface area, a complicated shape, and perform the primary chewing function on the jaw frame.
- Teeth number 7: Contains four pieces, including second molars and second molars. They are essential in assisting tooth 6 to chew and smash food.
- Teeth number 8: There are four teeth, including wisdom teeth and third molars, however they might be misplaced, underdeveloped, or absent from the jaw. They have little impact and cause pain and suffering, thus they are frequently advised to be removed.
5. Teeth Functions
Teeth and other chewing system structures play an important function in the body’s living activities and each person’s everyday existence. Among these are the following essential functions:
Chewing capability
The chewing system, which consists of teeth, periodontal, jaw bone, jaw muscles, temporomandibular joint, salivary glands, lip-cheek-tongue system, vascular system, and nerves, is known as a whole or functional unit.
The primary function of the front teeth, in particular, is to bite and chop food into little pieces, making eating simpler and more effective. The molars and premolars will ground food for you, making it simpler to swallow and assisting the digestion process in the stomach to run smoothly.
As a result, the majority of the flaws in the morphology of the teeth, particularly those connected to the bite, such as: misaligned bite, chipped, fractured, broken. Misalignment, shedding, and so forth all have an impact on the jaw’s chewing work.
Aesthetic purpose
The front teeth and canines are all on the outside, where they are plainly seen when we smile or speak. As a result, others may easily notice abnormalities with your teeth, producing feelings of shyness and inadequacy while meeting and conversing with others. A beautiful, dazzling white grin, on the other hand, will deliver a confident, shining smile, increasing the aesthetics of the face.
As a result, it is not unexpected that dental methods that assist enhance appearances, such as braces, fillings, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, and so on, are becoming increasingly popular and trusted by many individuals.
Pronunciation feature
When pronouncing, we must join our teeth and tongue smoothly. When teeth are uneven or absent, it makes it harder to pronounce round, clear syllables, potentially leading to slurred speech.
According to dentists, cases of early tooth loss are simple for youngsters to slur and pronounce inaccurately. Adults will struggle to talk with the right accent if they lose a lot of doors, especially if they wish to learn a foreign language. Because it requires pushing the tongue on the inside of the upper front teeth, the words “touch” and “wait” are frequently mispronounced. When you lose teeth, it leaves gaps in your jaw, making it difficult to pronounce certain words correctly.
Dental treatment that is scientific and appropriate
Teeth play an incredibly vital function in each person’s existence and daily lives. As a result, maintaining healthy, white teeth is critical. So, how can we provide adequate and scientific care?
For infants and children
Did you know that the newborn teeth are virtually complete when the infant is born? They are initially buried under the gums so that they are not apparent to the naked eye. On the other hand, they play a significant function because, as they grow, they assist the infant chew food, grin, and facilitate the process of speaking. Furthermore, it helps to save room for permanent teeth to develop in later. The following tips can help parents care for their baby’s infant teeth:
- Parents can clean their child’s mouth every day while they are young by moistening a soft towel with clean water and gently rubbing. As your child grows older, teach them to wash their teeth using a soft-bristled brush in the morning and at night.
- Children under the age of two should not use toothpaste; instead, pure water is sufficient.
- Expose youngsters to the sun in the early morning on a regular basis so that the body can synthesise vitamin D and supplement calcium.
- Limit hard meals and sugary foods in your baby’s diet, such as soft drinks, cakes, sweets, and snacks… Instead, include low-sugar healthful meals such as cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables…
- Allowing your infant to suck on a bottle of milk or juice before going to bed can easily cause milk or juice to remain in the mouth, resulting in “bottle-feeding” syndrome.
- Parents should take their children to the dentist for frequent check-ups from 6 months to 1 year of age for in-depth examinations.
For adolescents
Adolescence is the time when teeth begin to mature; nevertheless, negative influences and practises can lead teeth to become crooked, misaligned, dull, and so on. As a result, we must pay close attention:
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, in the morning and evening.
- Toothpicks should be replaced with dental floss since they can cause receding gums, bleeding gums, and gaps…
- Do not drink alcohol, or consume coffee… since they are the perpetrators responsible for yellow stains, poor breath, and cancer.
- Do not use your tongue to push, shove, or rub your jaws together, which can cause teeth to become misaligned or displaced.
- When abnormalities like as protrusion, underbite, scant, mismatched growth, bite misalignment… are detected, orthodontic procedures should be used quickly. The treatment procedure will be quicker and faster since the teeth are easier to straighten and conquer at this time.
- Regular dental check-ups and cleaning of the mouth cavity are recommended.
Adults only
Maintaining proper oral hygiene practises will aid in the prevention of dental disorders. You should develop the following habits:
- Clean your mouth cavities at least twice a day with a flour-containing cream.
- Instead of toothpicks, use dental floss to clean between areas and remove leftovers.
- Avoid smoking, restrict your intake of coffee and alcohol, and avoid using stimulants.
- When taking medical drugs, it is vital to first consult a doctor about the potential adverse effects on oral cavity health.
- Examine your mouth on a regular basis, checking for slow-healing sores, inflamed gums, and black or yellow stains on the surface or roots of your teeth.
- Visit your dentist at least once every six months.
As a result, we have just acquired the most significant facts about teeth, such as their nature, categorization, structure, function, and particular care… Hopefully, the information in this post will be valuable to readers, allowing them to have stronger, more attractive, and healthier teeth.