How much do you know your teeth?

Most people take their teeth for granted till something bad happens. Our teeth play a big role in helping us digest and chew food, as well as speak. According to dentist Baltimore, by brushing up on your knowledge of your pearly whites, you’ll be taking the first step toward giving your oral cavity the attention it deserves.

Teeth development:

Humans develop two sets of teeth in their life time, primary teeth and permanent teeth that grow in stages. Even though the timing is different, development of every set of teeth is the same:

1. Similar teeth erupt in parallel, i.e., the top molar on the left side and the top molar on the right will grow at the same time.
   
2. Development of your tooth begins long before the first tooth becomes visible. For example, an infant’s tooth first appears when he or she reaches six months of age, but the development of the teeth starts during the second trimester of pregnancy.
   
3. The tooth’s crown forms first and roots keep developing even after the tooth has come out.

The various parts of the tooth:

There are two basic parts of a tooth: the crown, which is the white, noticeable part, and the root, which is the invisible part. The root spreads below the gum line and secures the tooth with the jaw bone. Your teeth comprise of four different types of tissues, each performing a different function. 

1. Enamel. The visible substance covering the tooth crown is the enamel. Tougher than bone, enamel helps in protecting the tooth from any decay. Enamel is a mix of calcium and phosphorous.
   
2. Dentin. You will find dentin under enamel, which is calcified and looks like the bone. Dentin is softer than enamel, so it is prone to decay in case the enamel wears off.
   
3. Cementum. Cementum covers the root of the tooth and helps in anchoring it into the bone. It is softer than dentin and enamel. One of the best ways of protecting this softer tissue from any decay is by taking proper care of the gums. Cementum has a yellow color and is normally protected by the gums. However, with improper dental care, gums shrink and become diseased, exposing the cementum to destructive bacteria and plaque.
   
4. Pulp. You will find pulp at the tooth’s center containing the nerves, blood vessels, and other soft tissues that deliver nutrition and signals to the teeth.

Your mouth is important. Do not take your teeth or oral health for granted. For keeping good dental health, brush and floss your teeth regularly, don't smoke, eat a healthy diet