Teeth

Good Teeth

Teeth (singular, tooth) are structures found in the

jaws of many vertebrates.

The primary function of teeth is to tear, scrape,

chew and grind food.

In some animals, particularly carnivores the

canines are highly developed for tearing and

ripping flesh.

The roots of the teeth are covered by gums.

What are Teeth

Type of Tooth Shape Function

Incisor – Chisel shaped, with 1 root

Cutting food into smaller piecesBiting off bits of food

Canine –Pointed or dagger shaped, with 1 root

Grasping and tearing food(well developed in carnivores for tearing flesh)

Premolar – Flat, 2 cusps or bumps on the surface, 1 or 2 roots

Crushing food(Mastication)

Molar – Flat, 4 or 5 cusps on the surface. 2 – 4 roots

Crushing and grinding food(Mastication)

Types of Teeth

Milk Teeth (Baby Teeth)

Baby Dentition

The primary teeth are very important as

they help the permanent teeth erupt in their

normal positions.

Helps the young human in mechanical

digestion.

Importance Baby Teeth

Permanent Teeth

Adult Dentition

Permanent teeth or adult teeth is the second set

of human teeth.

Most of the adult human teeth that consist the

permanent dentition are formed close to the roots

of the primary teeth.

They assist in the mechanical break up of food to

increase the surface area for enzymes to work on.

Permanent Teeth

Structure of a Tooth

Crown

Root cement

Crown - exposed part of tooth

Root - part embedded in jaw

Enamel - outer biting surface, hardest

substance in body harder than bone

Dentine - main section of the tooth, living

tissue like bone, not as hard or resistant to

decay as enamel

Parts of the Tooth

Pulp cavity - nerve endings connect to brain,

blood vessels carry oxygen and nutrients in for

cells, and remove waste products

Cement - rough covering, to which periodontal

fibres are attached holding tooth in place

Jawbone - with sockets for teeth

Gum - protects jawbone and roots of teeth

Parts of the Tooth

What causes teeth like these

To turn into these teeth

Or these teeth

Bacteria which cause the build up of plaque

Answer

Your teeth are covered with a hard white substance called Enamel.

Sugar from your food gets left on your teeth and is eaten by Bacteria which forms an acid.

How do Bacteria cause tooth decay

Bacteria

The Bacteria then forms a sticky coating on your teeth called Plaque.

The Plaque contains the Acid which rots away the enamel of your tooth, exposing the Dentine.

This is the result - TOOTHACHE!!

Toothache

Toothache

Regular brushing after food and before you go to bed.

Visit your dentist regularly.

Drink plenty of milk and eat cheese and fruit.

Cut down on sweets and cakes. If possible - drink water with FLUORIDE in it.

How can we prevent bacteria from attacking our teeth

There are different types of teeth found in the mouth of humans

The amount varies depending on the persons age

Each part of the tooth serves a different function

Plaque is the main cause of tooth decay Toothache is the result of bacteria left

unchecked in the mouth There are several simple ways to prevent

tooth decay.

Summary