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The Importance of Dental Care
Everybody knows that dental care is what helps keep our smiles white and our teeth bright. But the reasons why
proper dental care is so important go much deeper than that. Proper dental care is crucial if you want to keep your
teeth from decaying and possibly even falling out for good.
That may sound drastic but it is true. A cavity results from tooth decay and dentures or dental implants are the
end result of teeth that have decayed beyond repair. Poor nutrition and lifestyle habits such as cigarette smoking
can both contribute to tooth decay, but by far the most common reason these types of tooth problems develop is
improper dental care. Teeth that aren't cared for properly can also cause the dreaded 'bad breath', a foul odor
that others shun.
It's never too early to start learning about dental care. In fact, it's a habit that should be taught very early in
life. Teaching children to brush and floss their teeth regularly and to visit the dentist twice a year is something
they'll remember throughout life. It's also what's going to help them take better care of and protect the teeth
they have been given.
There is much more to a tooth than meets the eye. The part that is visible is referred to as the crown. Every tooth
has another part called the root. A tooth's root is below the gum line and extends into the jaw bone. The area
where the crown meets the root is called the neck. These parts – the crown, the root and the neck – are the 3 basic
parts of every tooth.
The crown consists of 3 layers: the enamel, the dentin and the pulp. The enamel is the outer layer of the tooth,
the part we brush, and it is actually translucent, not white. Enamel is what gives a tooth its strength but it is
also the part of the tooth that will decay when not properly cared for. Below the enamel is a layer called the
dentin. The majority of each tooth consists of this bone-like hard material that extends into the crown and below
the gum line. Dentin is what's responsible for a tooth's coloring.
Within the dentin is a pulp cavity. This area contains pulp which is actually made up of connective tissues, nerves
and blood vessels. The blood vessels carry important nutrients to the teeth and the nerves trigger hot and cold
sensations.
What we refer to as our gums is actually called gingiva. Gingiva is the pink area that fits around each tooth and
covers the jawbones.
Just as enamel surrounds the dentin in the crown area, cementum is a material that surrounds the roots. A layer of
dentin also covers the cementum. Periodontal ligaments are what attach each tooth to the jaw. Craters, or more
appropriately, alveolar sockets, form within the gum as each tooth pushes up through the gum. These sockets along
with the alveolar process (the walls of the crater) also help keep teeth in place.
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