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The tooth's body
Teeth are considered organs, and each tooth sustains its life by functioning as a cohesive unit due to the interplay of its different parts. Like our body, teeth have protective features, cellular repair/regeneration properties, and sensory abilities which serve for both protection and spatial awareness.
The crown is the most visible part of the tooth. It sits above the gum line and is comprised of enamel and dentin.
The neck of a tooth, also known as the dental cervix, is the area where the crown and root meet. It's visible to the naked eye because of the difference in color between the enamel and cementum. Not sure what the cementum is? Don’t worry, we’ll cover that in the next section!
Caution: If the gums recede due to aggressive brushing or gum disease, the tooth neck can become exposed leaving the tooth more prone to cavities and sensitive to extreme temperature, and sweet and sour foods.
The root of a tooth is the part extending into the jawbone anchoring the tooth in place. It's located out of sight, beneath the gums housing the nerves and blood vessels that supply the tooth with sensory feedback and nourishment.
The number of roots per tooth varies by tooth as shown in the diagram below. Molars typically have 2-3 roots each but some people have as many as 5 roots on a given molar.
Teeth, like any other organ, require care and nourishment.
Enamel is the outer layer of the tooth that creates a protective barrier between the crown of the tooth and its environment. This layer shields the inner structure from extreme temperature, damage and decay caused by acids, bacteria and impact or trauma.
In addition to protection, enamel contributes to the tooth's appearance. It’s clear and colorless, serving as a window to the tooth's dentin which represents the tooth's natural color. There are microscopic pores in the enamel that expand and contract based on hydration levels. When dehydrated, the pores will open, exposing the dentin to both harmful elements and staining substances.
The natural color of your teeth resides in your tooth's dentin, a porous, bone-like tissue residing underneath the enamel. Dentin is multifaceted, but its primary role is to provide support and structure to the tooth's enamel much like the framing of a house. Secondarily, the dentin acts as an insulator of the pulp protecting it from bacteria and acids that evade the enamel's protection.
Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a naturally occurring calcium phosphate mineral that's found in teeth and bones. It's also used in dental and orthopedic implants. HAp helps strengthen, restore, and rebuild bones and teeth. HAp is used in some toothpastes as an alternative to fluoride. It can help prevent or reverse tooth decay.
The soft tissue inside the tooth that houses the nerves and blood vessels is referred to as the pulp. The pulp and the nerves in the pulp chamber are the tooth's source of life which is why it has two layers of defense surrounding it (enamel and dentin). Critical functions of the pulp include:
• Dentin formation: Pulp creates new dentin and repairs damaged dentin.
• Hydration & nourishment: Pulp provides nutrients like albumin and fibrinogen to keep the dentin healthy. The pulp's blood vessels keep the tooth moist, which prevents brittleness.
• Protection: The pulp's immune cells fight germs, and the nerves sense changes in pressure and temperature.
Caution: The pulp is the only part of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. If the pulp is severely damaged, the tooth will lose its nerve and blood supply. However, teeth can survive without their pulp once they are fully grown.
Cementum, also referred to as cement, is a calcified connective tissue that's similar to bone but doesn't have nerves or blood. Its main purpose is to attach a tooth to the jawbone via the periodontal ligaments and maintain the tooth's position in the gum. Cementum also aids in the repair and regeneration of teeth.
• Cementum prevents root resorption when the periodontium is remodeled.
• It also covers the tooth's dentin on the root where the enamel is not present.
• Cementum plays a role in repairing and regenerating teeth.
• Cementum also allows the tooth to grow vertically and slide towards the mesial (front of the mouth).
It's important to maintain healthy cementum for overall oral health and tooth stability.
Periodontal ligaments (PDL) are the connective tissues that extend from the cementum to the jawbone. Together, the cementum and PDL anchor the tooth to the jawbone, holding the tooth in place.
• PDL acts as an elastic limit that protects teeth from damage caused by chewing and other mechanical stress.
• PDL helps injured tissue heal
• PDL fibroblasts help form and repair the cementum and alveolar bone
• Helps preserve the tissue around the gums.
• The PDL relays information to the brain which helps it understand where the teeth are in space, assisting with chewing and speaking.
A tooth's lateral canals serve as small channels branching off the main root canal, essentially acting as potential pathways for pulp tissue to extend towards the periodontal ligament. This can become a route for bacteria or their byproducts to reach the surrounding bone if not properly treated during root canal therapy. This makes them vitally important for doctors to consider when performing endodontic procedures to prevent infection and complications.
If you clinch your jaw while you work or grind your teeth in your sleep, a custom fitted night guard is strongly encouraged as it will prevent bruxism related damage to your enamel.
While enamel cannot regenerate, it can be remineralized. This means that minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, can be added to the enamel to strengthen it and prevent further decay. This can be achieved through good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing with hydroxyapatite toothpaste/remineralization gel and mouthwash. As a reminder, 95% of the enamel is composed of calcium hydroxyapatite.
A balanced oral microbiome is your enamel's only natural defense. After brushing your teeth, be sure to always follow up with a dental probiotic to help ensure the good bacteria repopulates faster than the bad bacteria.
Both string floss and a water flosser are recommended for reaching what the toothbrush can’t. Begin with string floss and followup with the water flosser to flush out what the string left behind.
By using cariPRO™ Enamel Armour each night before bed, you help seal the pores in your teeth and allow the healing process to occur during a period when the effects of food and drink are not prevalent.
A high quality electric toothbrush is exponentially more effective at removing plaque. Clinical trials have shown that people who switch from manual brushing to electric brushing have improved gum health.
