Our teeth have such an important role to play in our lives. They help us chew and digest food. Teeth help us to speak. Healthy teeth mean a beautiful smile. Teeth give the shape of the face too.
In the following lesson, we are going to learn about TEETH. We are going to discuss the following:
- What are teeth?
- Layers of a tooth.
- Sets of teeth.
- Types of teeth.
- Functions of teeth.
- Dental hygiene.
What are teeth?
Teeth can be defined as hard, calcified structures found in the mouth. Teeth help us to use our mouths to eat because they are used to break down food. The teeth in the mouth are very important because they help prepare food to travel through the rest of the digestive system. Each tooth is strong and hard enough to chew up the food. Some animals, particularly carnivores, also use the teeth for hunting or for defense. Teeth help us to speak. Healthy teeth mean a beautiful smile. Teeth give the shape of the face too.
The tooth is composed of the following layers:
- Enamel - This is the hardest substance in the body, is on the outside of the tooth
- Dentin -The second layer is dentin, and it is softer than enamel.
- Pulp - It consists of nerves and blood vessels.
- Cementum - It is on the root of the tooth and is beneath the gums.
Sets of teeth
People have two sets of teeth during their life: primary and permanent.
- Primary teeth are commonly known as baby teeth, milk teeth, temporary teeth, this is the first set of teeth in the growth development of humans. Usually, babies are born with most of their teeth already formed within their gums (the roots of the teeth are covered by gums), but in most cases, they begin to appear by the age of six months. One after another, children will usually get all of their 20 primary teeth by around the age of 3. They fall out (shed) at various times throughout childhood and permanent teeth will replace them.
- Permanent teeth or adult teeth are the second set of teeth. By the age of 13, most of the 28 permanent teeth will be in place. One to four wisdom teeth, or third molars, emerge between the ages of 17 and 21, (bringing the total number of permanent teeth up to 32) when most people will have all of them.
Types of teeth and their function
Each of the teeth has a name and a specific function. These are the different types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
- Incisors are sharp, flat, and with thin edge teeth, that are positioned in the front of the mouth and are also called anterior teeth. Incisors bite into food and cut it into smaller pieces. They are flat with a thin edge.
Children and adults have eight incisors — four on each row, they are central incisors at the front of the mouth.
- Canines are sharp, pointed teeth. They are positioned next to the incisors and look like fangs. Cuspids or eyeteeth are their other name by dentists. People use canines to tear the food, and they are the longest of all the teeth.
Children and adults have four canines. Children usually get their first permanent canines between the ages of 9 and 12. The lower canines tend to come through slightly before those in the upper jaw.
- Premolars are also called bicuspids. They are bigger than the incisors and canines. They help chew and grind up food because they have many ridges. Young children don’t have premolars, while adults have eight premolars. They appear usually at the age of 10-12. The first and second premolars are the molars that sit next to the canines.
- Molars are the biggest teeth that have a large, flat surface with ridges that allow them to chew food and grind it up. Adults have 12 permanent molars — six on the bottom and top jaw. Children have eight primary molars.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last molars, which usually come through between the ages of 17-21. These sit at the end of the row of teeth, in the corners of the jaw. Some wisdom teeth may stay un-erupted or never appear in the mouth. Sometimes wisdom teeth can become trapped under the gum.
What is Dental hygiene?
Dental hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth, teeth, and gums clean and healthy to prevent disease. Dental hygiene and oral health are essential parts of our everyday lives. People should always keep their teeth and mouth clean. They can do that by doing these practices:
- brushing the teeth at least twice a day
- using appropriate toothpaste
- brushing should be gentle and not aggressive
- avoiding sugar in food and drinks
- eating a balanced food using floss daily
- regularly visiting the dentist to ensure good health of teeth
Common dental problems
Sometimes, dental problems can occur. Common dental problems are:
- Bad breath, which can be a result of problems with your teeth or gums
- Tooth decay, which is damage to a tooth's surface or enamel. It happens when bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the enamel. Tooth decay can lead to cavities (dental caries), which are holes in your teeth. If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.
- Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, an infection of the tissues around your teeth caused by plaque.
- Periodontitis is the more advanced form of gum disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults.
- Tooth erosion, which occurs when the surface of your teeth is dissolved by exposure to acid.
- Tooth sensitivity is a pain or discomfort in the teeth as a response to certain stimuli, such as hot or cold temperatures. It may be a temporary or a chronic problem. Also, it can affect one tooth, several teeth, or all the teeth in a single individual.
Proper dental hygiene and regular check with your dentist can prevent these dental problems, and it can help resolve them.
