What is the function of teeth in our body?
It is easier to appreciate teeth when you understand their design and purpose. Although their main function is chewing, they are also important in speech. The shape of your dental arch and the way your teeth fit together affect the way you speak. Many letters of the alphabet cannot be pronounced correctly without the aid of teeth. In addition, teeth help give your face its shape and form and, if they are healthy and well cared for they enhance your appearance.
What are the different parts of a tooth?
The visible portion of the tooth is called the crown of the tooth. The crowns of the front teeth are shaped like chisels; the crowns of the back teeth have pointed or rounded elevations-cusps-and central depressions. The major portion of the teeth-about two-thirds of the total length of each tooth- is the roots .Hidden by the gums, the roots anchor the teeth in the jaw-bone.The ENAMEL is the hard outer covering of the tooth’s crown. The hardest tissue in the body, the enamel protects the inner portion of the tooth from being worn away by chewing. Directly beneath the enamel is the DENTIN- a bonelike tissue that makes up the bulk of the tooth. Within the dentin, at the center of the crown and root is the PULP, a soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels, and lymph vessels.
Why do we have teeth of different shapes?
Teeth have different shapes because they perform different functions when you are eating. When you chew, the cusps the teeth in one jaw fit into the depressions of the teeth in the opposing jaw to bite, tear chew, or grind food.
The INCISORS, which are located in the center front of the mouth, have sharp, chisel-shaped crowns that cut food.
The CANNIES (CUSPIDS ) flank the incisors, they have one long root and a crown with one pointed cusp to tear food.
PREMOLARS (BICUSPIDS ) are located next to the canines. They have two cusps and one or two roots and serve to crush and tear food.
MOLARS, at the very back of the mouth, are used to grind food. They have several cusps and two or three roots.
WHEN WILL MY BABY’S TEETH BEGIN TO FORM?
Infants’ teeth begin developing months before birth. In the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy, tooth “buds” appear; and between the fourth and sixth months, tooth formation proceeds according to an established pattern. By the time the baby is born, the 20 primary teeth [baby/milk teeth] that will appear during the next 2&1/2 years are already present in the baby’s jawbones. The crowns of these teeth are almost complete; however, they will remain hidden by the gums until the baby begins teething.
When will the primary teeth erupt?
The primary teeth are 20 in number, five in each quadrant {side}, they start erupting as early as 6 months until 30th month. The lowers are always the first to erupt followed by the corresponding upper tooth.
Central incisors start at 6-9 months and the lowers are first to erupt, followed by the upper two.
Lateral incisors are next to follow by about 7 -10 months.
First molars are the next to erupt and surface out by 12-16 months.
Canines are next in order of eruption at about 16-20 months.
Second molars are the last of primary teeth to erupt at the age of 23-30 months.
When do the primary teeth shed off?
Central Incisors shed off between 7-8 years.
Lateral Incisors shed off between 7-9 years.
Canines shed off between 10-12 years.
First Molars shed off between 9-11 years.
Second Molars shed off between 10-12 years.
When do permanent teeth erupt?
Normally, all 32 of the permanent teeth have erupted by age 21. In the upper jaw, the central incisors appear at age 7 or 8; the lateral incisors at age 8 or 9; the canines at the age 11 or 12; first premolars at age 10 or 11; second premolars at age 10 or 12; first molars at age 6 or 7; second molars at age 12 or 13; and third molars between ages 17 and 21.
In the lower jaw, the central incisors generally appear earlier, at age 6 or 7; the lateral incisors at age 7 or 8; the canines at age 9 or 10; the first premolars at age 10 or 12; second premolars at age 11 or 12; first molars at age 6 or 7; second molars at age 11 or 13; and third molars between ages 17 and 21.
Why are first molars important?
These are the first permanent teeth to appear in the mouth, and they generally do so at about age of 6 years. Don’t mistake the first molars for primary teeth. These teeth help shape the lower portion of the face and affect the position and health of the other permanent teeth that will soon appear.
What teeth are still erupting in adolescence?
The second molars erupt by about age 13. The third molars, or wisdom teeth, can appear any time between 17 and 21 years. Third molars may develop at an awkward angle or become impacted behind the second molars. If third molars are impacted or if there is evidence of damage to the tooth alignment or to the jaws, surgical removal is recommended in the late teens or early twenties. Periodic checks during routine dental
examinations will allow the dentist to determine the best course of treatment.
What is dental caries/cavity?
Dental caries is another name for tooth decay where bacterial infection affects the hard outer layer lining of the teeth which is made of enamel, cementum and dentin. Tooth decay is a process that takes quite a while to completely eat away the outer part of teeth, and usually leaves a hole or cavity on it. There are two types of bacteria that have been studied to be responsible for causing dental caries, and they are Lacticobacilli (associated with milk) and Streptococcus mutans. The bacteria live in plaque and break down sugars from diet to produce acidity.
How Can I diagnose my tooth cavity?Diagnosis for tooth cavity is quite simple though the development of this condition is often slow though this rate varies with individuals. However, regular dental check ups can detect it early. It exhibits as milky white teeth on patches. On developing, the acidity caused by the breakdown of sugars by the bacteria, regeneration of the mineral content making a tooth is slowed. Less obvious decays can only be detected when an X-ray is done on the patient’s teeth, and it would show up on the film as a dark spot. In severe cases, there would be a cavity on a tooth exposing the nerves reaching the tooth and making it sensitive and often painful.
What are the symptoms of tooth decay?Tooth decay in its early stages exhibit as milky white or chalky teeth. The specific tooth that is affected is usually very sensitive to tough as it can get to be painful, it also gets to be very sensitive to extreme temperatures, hot or cold, as well as sensitivity to sweet substances. A developed cavity can also be easily identified by the discoloration on it.
What is the Treatment of tooth cavity?As a general rule, the earlier a decaying tooth is detected, the easier the treatment would be to fix it. The decayed part of the tooth is removed using a dentist’s drill and filling is done. The material used in filling is mostly resistant to wear, considering the wet conditions of the mouth and the regular activity that it would be exposed to in terms of eating and brushing.
If the condition of the tooth is progressed to affecting the inner part of the tooth through a procedure called root canal, the whole decayed part is removed then the cavity if filled up with a metal pin and covered by a resistant layer that could be metallic called a tooth crown. If the decay is beyond repair, the tooth will have to be extracted and alternatives like implants.Tooth decay can also be prevented by proper brushing after every meal, flossing to remove any trapped material between teeth and avoiding sugary foods.
Can I undergo Dental treatment during pregnancy?
Most of the dental treatments that include extractions, fillings, root canal treatments or placement of crowns etc. are to be carried out during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (i.e. the 4th-6th month), and only if they can’t be avoided. If the 3rd trimester is entered, then its best to delay any treatment procedure till the birth of the child, and get it done later. Sitting on your back for long time is not possible during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, so any treatment procedure has to be canceled. Also, the stress sometimes due to bigger treatment procedures can affect pregnancy a lot.
Maximum try is to reduce the exposure of the child to any treatment motions, and any medication that may cross the placental barrier. One of the examples is tetracycline drugs. If these drugs are taken during the pregnancy period, it affects the child’s teeth by forming tetracycline stains.
