It is a common misconception that a tooth is a solid block of material. Granted, it might appear that way on the surface, but it is actually made up of various parts, with each fulfilling a purpose but also vulnerable to its own particular problems.<\/p>\n
For today\u2019s blog, we thought we would discuss this to help our Ipswich patients understand the complexities of a tooth and what can happen when problems strike. This will hopefully help in the understanding of the importance of preventative dental care.<\/p>\n
The crown<\/strong><\/p>\n The crown encapsulates the visible part of the tooth that you can see above the gum line. As stated though, it is not a solid block of material and is broken down to the parts mentioned below.<\/p>\n Enamel<\/strong><\/p>\n This is probably the best known part of a tooth, and for good reason. It is what you see every time that you look in the mirror and smile. The role of enamel is to provide strength to the tooth and to act as a protective layer to prevent access by bacteria etc to the inner part of the tooth. The main issues with enamel is that it can crack or chip, or acids can cause wear or cavities which, when formed, often lead to tooth decay. Treatments used to restore enamel might include bonding, fillings, crowns and dental veneers.<\/p>\n Dentine<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The dentine part of the tooth lies directly beneath the tough enamel layer. Unlike enamel though, it is a softer material and also contains small tubules which offer access to the pulp area of the tooth which we will discuss next. Once enamel becomes compromised, tooth decay<\/a> is likely to start to progress faster in this area. Because the tubules allow access to the nerves, this is where discomfort and tooth sensitivity is likely to be noticed, sometimes very painfully so.<\/p>\n Pulp<\/strong><\/p>\n The pulp area lies right at the heart of the tooth in the root of the tooth, or more specifically, in the root canals. It contains tiny blood vessels and most importantly, the nerves. If infection reaches this part of the tooth, you may experience significant pain. Once this area becomes infected, there are only two options available; either to extract the tooth, or preferably, to carry out a root canal procedure at the Foxhall Dental Practice,\u00a0 in order to save the tooth.<\/p>\n Cementum<\/strong><\/p>\n Now we arrive at some lesser known components of the tooth, but which are important nonetheless. Cementum is a thin film that covers and protects the roots of the tooth and helps to anchor it into place. Due to its thinness though, it can wear away more easily and could cause the tooth to become loose.<\/p>\n Periodontal ligament<\/strong><\/p>\n This is a type of structure that lies between the roots of the tooth and the bone and which acts as a kind of \u2018shock absorber\u2019 which makes eating and chewing more comfortable. Problems that can occur include inflammation which can cause discomfort and tenderness, especially when biting down.<\/p>\n Gums<\/strong><\/p>\n Not part of the tooth structure, of course, but the gums play a key role in good oral health and healthy gums help to protect the roots of the teeth, helping to keep them securely in place. The main problem for gums is when gum disease occurs. This can cause soreness and inflammation but, at its more advanced stage, known as periodontitis, it can lead to bone damage which can lead the teeth to become loose, and potentially fall out.<\/p>\n As you can see then, a tooth is not a single block of material and nor should it be treated as such. The tooth structure is highly complex and fulfils an important function. It does mean though, that there are more things that can go wrong, and that is where our team of Ipswich dentists<\/a> comes in. We not only monitor the health of your teeth and gums, making recommendations as to how to look after them better, but are here for you when things do go wrong.<\/p>\n From the smallest of fillings to more complex treatments such as the placing of dental implants, you can be sure that you are in good hands with our experienced dentists. Our aim is to enable you to keep your own natural teeth wherever possible, but also to provide you with functional substitutes where this is not possible. Helping you to be able to eat comfortably and have an attractive smile is something that we take pride in.<\/p>\n So, whether you have chipped a tooth, are experiencing some discomfort with one, or have received significant damage to the tooth, please don\u2019t delay contacting us and let us restore it before the symptoms worsen. Please contact us for appointments or advice by calling the Foxhall Dental Practice today on 01473 258396<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Looking at the structure of a tooth and the potential problems associated with its various parts. It is a common misconception that a tooth is a solid block of material. Granted, it might appear that way on the surface, but …<\/p>\n