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.
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ANATOMY OF TEETH
There's more to teeth than most realize.
MACRO ANATOMY
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!
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.
MACRO ANATOMY
Teeth, like any other organ,
require care and nourishment.
Enamel
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.
Dentin
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.
What is Hydroxyapatite (HAp)?
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.
Pulp
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
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.
PREVENTION & PROTECTION:
• 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.
GROWTH, REGENERATION & REPAIR:
• 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
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.
PROTECTION, GROWTH & REPAIR:
• 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.
SENSORY:
• The PDL relays information to the brain which helps it understand where the teeth are in space, assisting with chewing and speaking.
Lateral Canals
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.
ENAMEL PRESERVATION TIPS
Night Guard
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.
Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste
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.
Dental Probiotic
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.
Flossing
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.
Enamel Armour
By using cariPROâ„¢ 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.
Electric Toothbrush
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.
