Key Concepts:
Vocabulary: periodontium, pulp, plaque, halitosis, periodontal disease, malocclusion
Healthy Teeth and Mouth
Your Teeth
Main Idea: Every tooth has three main parts.
Having healthy teeth is important for your appearance, but it’s also important for your overall physical health. Your teeth break down foods into pieces that are small enough to easily digest. They also help form the shape and structure of your mouth. Your permanent teeth come in gradually, usually beginning when you are about five years old and continuing into young adulthood when your last permanent molars, or wisdom teeth, come in.
Parts of a Tooth
The periodontium (per-ee-oh-DAHN-tee-uhm) is the area immediately around the tooth. It is made up of the gum, Periodontal ligaments, and the jawbone. The periodontium support the tooth and hold it in place. The tooth itself has three main parts: the crown, the neck, and the root, as shown in Figure 13.6. The crown is the visible portion ofthe tooth. It is protected with enamel, a hard substance made of calcium.
Beneath the enamel is dentin, a layer of connective tissue that contributes to the shape and hardness of a tooth. The pulp is the tissue that contains the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth. Protected by the overlying layers of dentin and enamel, the pulp extends into the root canal. The neck of a tooth is between the crown and the root.
Keeping Your Teeth and Mouth Healthy
Main Idea: You can make choices that help keep your teeth and mouth clean and healthy.
Oral hygiene, which includes brushing and flossing your teeth, is necessary for healthy, clean teeth. The bacteria that naturally inhabit your mouth metabolize the sugars in the foods you eat. They produce an acid that breaks down the protective layer of tooth enamel. Tooth decay occurs when the enamel is destroyed and bacteria penetrate the tooth.
Plaque is a combination of bacteria and other particles, such as small bits of food, which adheres to the outside of a tooth. Plaque damages the tooth by coating it, sealing out the saliva that normally protects the tooth from bacteria. If plaque builds up, the acids produced by bacteria break down the tooth enamel, resulting in a hole, or cavity. If decay spreads down to the pulp, the tooth may have to be removed.
Practicing good oral hygiene can prevent tooth decay and other diseases. Brushing your teeth after eating removes plaque from the surface of the teeth, before bacteria can produce the acid that harms teeth. Flossing between your teeth removes plaque in areas that cannot be reached with the bristles of a toothbrush.
To maintain your dental health, visit your dentist regu- larly. The dentist, or a dental hygienist, will clean your teeth and examine them for signs of decay. Dentists may use seal- ants to prevent tooth decay. In addition to visiting the dentist regularly, you can take the following steps to keep your teeth and gums healthy:
Eat a well-balanced diet that includes foods containing phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin C.
Reduce the number of sugary drinks and snacks you eat.
Brush your teeth after every meal, and floss daily.
Get regular dental checkups.
Wear a mouth guard when you play contact sports or other activities to protect your mouth and teeth.
Avoid all tobacco products. They stain teeth and cause gums to recede. They also increase the risk of oral cancer.
Tooth and Mouth Problems
Main Idea: Neglecting your teeth can result in problems.
Some oral problems are caused by poor hygiene, others by poorly aligned teeth. Be alert to these common problems:
Halitosis, or bad breath, can be caused by eating certain foods, poor oral hygiene, smoking, bacteria on the tongue, decayed teeth, and gum disease.
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, an inflammation of the periodontal structures, is caused by bacterial infec- tion. When plaque hardens, it builds up tartar, a hard, crustlike substance. This causes the gums to become irritated and swollen. This early stage is called gingivitis Gin-jih-VY-tis). If left untreated, the bone and tissue that support the teeth are destroyed, and teeth can be lost.
Malocclusion (mal-uh-KLOO-zhun), a misalignment of the upper and lower teeth, or a “bad bite,” can be caused by crowded or extra teeth, thumb sucking, injury, or heredity. If not treated, malocclusion can lead to decay, and affect a person’s speech and ability to chew.
Impacted wisdom teeth sometimes crowd and push on other teeth or become infected. They may need to be removed surgically.
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