Cavities, root canal infections, and gum disease are serious oral health issues that affect different parts of your teeth. Understanding the different parts of a tooth makes it easier to keep your smile healthy. Here’s a comprehensive dental care guide to help you safeguard your smile.

4 Different Parts of the Tooth & How to Protect Them

1. Enamel

The enamel is the protective layer on the exposed part of your tooth, and it’s continually defending against decay-causing bacteria that erode it with acids. To keep it strong, brush and floss daily and eat foods rich in calcium and phosphorus. These minerals are the building blocks of enamel, and they’re found in Greek yogurt, milk, spinach, and broccoli.

2. Dentin

The dentin is located below the enamel and extends to the root. When decay-causing bacteria break through the enamel, they attack the exposed dentin by forming a cavity.

Since the dentin encases the sensitive pulp and nerves, it’ll transmit sensations of discomfort if it’s affected by the decay, and you may experience pain when eating hot and cold foods. If a cavity has already formed, contact your dental care professional—they’ll clean the cavity and fill it to keep bacteria out.

3. Pulp

The pulp is a living substance that creates dentin and delivers nutrients to the tooth, and it can’t function if it’s infected. Infections often result from cavities due to poor dental care or tooth fractures. To avoid a chip, never bite on hard objects or use your teeth as tools.

Root canal therapy is needed if the pulp is infected. Your dentist will enter the decayed chambers through the tooth’s crown and remove the infected pulp. They’ll sterilize the chambers, fill them with dental cement, and apply a protective crown to the tooth.

4. Cementum

The cementum is a bone-like material that protects the tooth’s root. It can be harmed if plaque forms below the gumline—this typically occurs if you don’t brush and floss around the area.

The plaque causes the gums to recede and forms pockets around the tooth. This can evolve into gum disease, which will deteriorate the root and cause the tooth to fall out.

See your dental care team regularly to ensure the entire tooth structure is healthy. If you’re due for a checkup, turn to Chinook Family Dentistry in Anchorage, AK. These professionals will conduct a comprehensive exam to assess the enamel’s integrity and monitor for cavities. They’ll also perform a thorough cleaning to remove accumulated plaque along the gumline and from hard-to-reach crevices. To schedule an appointment, send a message online or call (907) 272-8422.