At Lerner & Lemongello we care about you and we care about your teeth – which, by the way, are designed to last you a lifetime. However, your general health, decay, poor dental habits and good old Father Time can play havoc with your teeth.
Let’s get to the very basics…and learn what kind of teeth you have and what makes them so strong and amazing:
Each tooth is comprised of two parts:
The crown which is visible and the root which is not.
You mouth contains four different kinds of teeth:
- Incisors…the teeth in the front of your mouth. There are a total of eight and all have the same function – they are for biting into food. Incisors are usually the first teeth to erupt, at around 6 months of age.
- Canines…you share these with your dog, hence their name. They are the pointed, sharp teeth next to your incisors. There are two on the top row and two on the bottom. They are used to tear pieces of food.
- Pre-molars (bicuspids)…as an adult, you have eight pre-molars, the large, flat teeth behind your canine teeth that tear, crush, and mash your food.
- Molars…your largest teeth which are found at the very back of your mouth. Including the wisdom teeth, most adults have 12 molars. They are also used for chewing and grinding your food.
Your teeth contain four kinds of tissue, and each has a very unique purpose:
- Enamel is the visible substance that covers the crown. Harder than bone, enamel is made up of phosphorous and calcium and protects the tooth from decay.
- Dentin lies underneath the enamel. It looks similar to bone but is not as hard as enamel.
- Cementum is the tissue covering the tooth root, helping anchor it to the bone. It is softer than enamel and dentin.
- Pulp is found at the center of your tooth and contains the blood vessels, nerves, and other soft tissues that deliver signals and nutrients to your teeth.
Call to book an appointment for a dental check-up today and let our team of professionals at Lerner & Lemongello help you keep your teeth amazing: (561) 627-9000.