The human mouth is a fascinating and complex system essential for chewing, biting and digesting food. It is also needed for communication and social interaction. The main construction of the mouth includes the various teeth, which each have a unique role in daily functions, so knowing what each tooth does can help you understand their importance.
As a leading private dentist in Manchester, we will explore each tooth’s roles, functions and components. We will cover why keeping them in good condition is essential for your dental health and their process.
The Anatomy of a Tooth
There are various elements to your shiny pearls. Each offers its own role in protecting and stabilising your tooth, as we explore below.
Root Function: The tooth’s root lies beneath the gum line and acts as an anchor to help stabilise the tooth. It is home to various tissues, which allow nourishing of the tooth and provides absorbing and distributing forces of functionality whilst also rooting the tooth in place.
Crown Function: The Crown is the visible part of the tooth, sitting above the gum line. Crowns are used for chewing and biting and are covered by enamel to protect the tissues underneath. The crown is crucial for protecting the tooth from damage and should be maintained to help prolong the life of the tissue beneath.
Pulp Function: We are sure there’s a movie pun in there, but we just can’t extract it. However, we shall digress. As you can see from the image, although the tooth may feel very solid and robust, there is pulp within the centre of each tooth. This soft membrane consists of living blood cells, connective tissue, and large nerves. The soft pulp branches out and continues down each root through the tooth’s canals and stops just shy of the apex, or tip, of the tooth. The membrane offers sensory functions and will cause pain due to trauma. It will also provide nutrition for the tooth and prevent it from becoming brittle by keeping it moisturised and nourished.
Dentin function: The dentin surrounds a tooth’s pulp and is a hard calcified tissue that makes up the bulk of the tooth. This hard tissue provides structural support for the tooth, giving it strength and shape. It also protects the pulp, acting as a barrier against bacteria from causing harm to the blood and nerves. Additionally, dentin offers cushioning against the tooth as although it is the bulk of the tooth, and it is slightly softer than the enamel. It acts as a shock absorber when the tooth is used to bite and put pressure on a hard object.
Enamel Function: This part of the tooth most people are aware of as it is the outer shell protecting your tooth from decay and cavities. Enamel plays a crucial role in protecting your teeth and keeping them in good condition. It offers a smooth biting surface, making eating and chewing much more comfortable, providing insulation from temperature changes and protecting the more sensitive layers of the tooth.
Cementum Function: Much like enamel, the cementum provides essential protection to the dentin. However, the cementum is found below the gum line and is a thin layer of calcified tissue that helps anchor the tooth to the jaw. This part of the tooth plays a vital role in preventing tooth loss and damage to the softer tissue of the tooth. Unlike other elements of the tooth, the cementum can also regenerate, helping repair damage to the tooth’s root and restore its function.
Periodontal Membrane Function: Similar to the cementum, the period membrane helps to anchor a tooth into place and provides support for the tooth by offering shock absorption to any pressures from biting or chewing. This connective tissue also provides a sensory function which allows the transmission of feedback to the nervous system about any position or movement of the tooth. It can also remodel in response to changes in force, helping to maintain the health and stability of the tooth and surrounding bone.
What Does Each Tooth Do?
Now we have covered the tooth’s anatomy, we will explore how each tooth plays vital functions in the mouth.
Incisors
These eight teeth sit in the upper and lower jaw at the front. These teeth are usually the first teeth to come in contact with food and drink. Their predominant role is to bite and cut food into smaller digestible pieces. Often when children lose their teeth, these are the first to be replaced as often they are used the most.
Canines
Most canines are sharp and end at a point. This shape helps tear and grasp food and was more helpful in the early periods of human existence when they would be used to bite prey or natural enemies before using tools. As evolution has progressed, they are no longer needed for warning off our predators, and thus, they have become less pointy and prominent, unlike other mammals. It can also be quite common for men to have sharper canine teeth than women.
Premolars
The premolars sit next to the canine teeth, and four are distributed in the left, right, top and bottom of the jaw. These are flatter and wider than the canines and incisors as they are predominantly used for grinding and crushing food into a puree-like consistency for digesting.
Molars
Each person should have eight molars, sitting at the back of the mouth on each side at the top and bottom of the jaw. Again, like the premolars, they are used for grinding and crushing food in easier-to-swallow consistencies. However, some may have less if they have required corrective treatments due to overcrowding.
Wisdom Teeth
Although many people may go their entire lives without their wisdom teeth, they are a part of the structure of the jaw. Unfortunately, due to evolution, these teeth have little use any more, and with many jaws being too small to accommodate them, they often cause pain and dental issues for many patients. As a leading dentist in wisdom teeth removal in Manchester, this can easily be fixed to prevent further issues in the jaw.
The Importance of Good Dental Care
Each tooth plays an essential role in the mouth, so keeping them all in good condition is crucial for overall good dental health. A regular dental routine is vital for keeping your teeth healthy. For example, brushing and flossing daily can help remove a build-up of plaque, which could compromise parts of the enamel and corrode into the soft tissue and pulp, which can cause infections and even tooth loss. Loss of teeth can disrupt the function of your entire jaw, which is why each tooth should be cared for correctly.
Regular check-ups with your dentist can also help with early intervention of issues that may arise. So, ensure that you remain consistent with check-ups and appointments, and for any immediate worries or issues, you can use trauma services like our emergency dental care in Manchester, which can help prevent any severe problems quickly before they escalate. In addition, if you are unhappy with the positioning or look of your teeth, you can also contact us and enquire about our smile makeover services in Manchester.