What Are the Parts of a Tooth?

You might think that since we have a limited number of teeth and use them constantly – plus look at them, brush them, and floss them daily – that we would have a better understanding of what teeth are all about. We are taught the alphabet, how to count, and how to identify the various states in the USA and their major cities or capitals – but how many of us ever get a decent basic lesson in tooth anatomy?

If you have not got much of a clue what are the parts of the tooth, don’t feel alone or misinformed. Most people haven’t any idea how to name the parts of a tooth, and they do not know what each part does or what part it plays in terms of our overall dental health. But now you can be the one person who knows their dental trivia, because here is a breakdown and explanation of the parts of a tooth and the roles that those important parts of our dental infrastructure play.
•Teeth are made up of several different parts. The crown is the portion of the tooth above the gum line which bites, tears and grinds food. The crown is covered with enamel.

•Enamel is the hardest substance in the body, so teeth are even tougher than bones. The parts of teeth visible when you smile or look into the mouth are all considered parts of the enamel-covered crown.

•Under the surface of the hard enamel is the softer dentin – a substance similar to bone that contains tiny nerve endings. That is why teeth become sensitive when the enamel is worn thin, exposing these nerves embedded in the dentin layer.

•But below the visible tooth is almost 70 percent of the tooth, hidden inside and beneath the gums. This important part that anchors the tooth into the mouth is called the root. Just as the root of tree holds it from falling out of the ground and also supplies it with nutrients, the root of the tooth secures it and has channels that supply the tooth with blood and nutrients to keep it strong and healthy.

•The middle of the tooth is made of soft pulp, and it is here that the blood vessels and main nerves reside. Through this pulp the tooth gets its nourishment and blood.

•The base or root of the tooth is sealed and cemented to the jawbone with a substance appropriately called cementum. But in order to provide a cushion so that the tooth sits comfortably, the cemuntum and jawbone are connected with ligament tissue – technically named periodontal ligament.

Of course the gums – that pink fleshy skin that covers the root of the tooth – are also a vital part of our dental infrastructure, so they should also be mentioned in conjunction with these other parts of the tooth. Although our gums are not technically a part of the teeth, without healthy gums the health of the teeth deteriorates and eventually the teeth can no longer function as they should.