The Structure of Teeth

Do you take a look at your teeth when brushing your teeth? Do all the teeth look the same? Now let¡¦s see them through.

  1. Inside the tooth
The white part of the tooth we see at toothbrushing is part of the tooth, which is called ¡§crown¡¨; whereas the part inside the gum is called ¡§root.¡¨

 

For the crown part, it is divided into three layers:

First, enamel. As the tough outer surface of the tooth; it is harder than bone and helps protect the pulp of the tooth. Second, dentin. It is the porous tissue under the enamel. Some nerves reaches to this part. That is why it causes pain if tooth decay goes to this part. Third, pulp. As the center of the tooth, it contains blood vessels and nerves.

 
 

For the root part, it is divided into three layers as well.

The outer is cementum; the second is enamel; the third is pulp.

 

Apart from the crown and root, you can also see ¡§periodontal membrane¡¨ which is the fleshy tissue between tooth and the tooth socket. It is the buffer area that holds the tooth in place.

 
 

The Functions of the Teeth

Every tooth shapes and functions differently.

    • Incisors: They are like knives for cutting the food into pieces.
    • Canines: They are used for gripping and tearing the food.
    • Premolars: They are used for crashing and chewing the food.
    • Molars: They are used for grinding the food into small pieces.