Learn about the Parts of a Tooth

Older Couple CuddlingThe importance of intact teeth is fairly obvious. No one wants to have just crowns with no roots, or vice versa. Beyond your teeth’s job of breaking food down into digestible particles for your stomach, your dental crowns provide the structure for your smile. Confident smiles can affect job performance, relationships, and general quality of life. Did you know that you wouldn’t even be able to whistle if you didn’t have teeth? The part of a tooth that we can see is called the crown, but there’s a lot going on in the roots of your teeth, below the gumline.

About your Enamel

If you can believe it, the second hardest material on earth is enamel. What does this have to do with your teeth? Enamel coats your pearly whites. Diamonds are the only substance known to be harder than enamel, so be grateful to have such protection. Unfortunately, the strong enamel barrier is not entirely infallible. Teeth can fall victim to chips and cracks from injuries or chewing things that are too hard, like ice cubes. Food and drinks that produce acid can also damage tooth enamel if someone allows plaque to build on teeth.

About your Dentin

Mostly comprised of minerals dentin creates the bulk of teeth. Enamel is translucent, so dentin is responsible for how white your teeth appear. Within dentin, tubules extend into the root area of the tooth. These microscopic pathways make dentin a sort of highway for sensations in the nerves, should parts of the enamel get dissolved or broken.

About your Dental Pulp

Odontoblasts are cells and connective tissues that exist in the center of your teeth, within what is known as the pulp. Ondontoblasts in the pulp are able to form new dentin. This serves a reparative function in the case of decay or injuries to teeth. From a sensory standpoint, this part of the tooth has the important job of transmitting pain if there is anything wrong, so that you can seek dental attention.

ABOUT YOUR EVANSTON DENTIST:

Dr. Brent Engelberg and his highly-skilled team proudly serve patients and their families from Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding communities, including; Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, and the Northern and Northwest Chicago Suburbs. To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at 847-259-8030.

 

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