Your teeth may look simple enough from the the outside, but like many things in nature, teeth are deceptively complex.

The crown of your tooth is the portion of a tooth that rests above the gum line — the part we can see. The rest of the tooth, the part that rests below the gum line, is called the root. The root makes up about two thirds of the overall length of a tooth. Deep inside the tooth is the soft, pulpy material called the pulp. Pulp contains extremely sensitive nerves and blood, which keeps the tooth alive. Protecting the pulp is a layer of tissue known as dentin. Dentin, harder than pulp, protects it and contains calcium. The outer covering of the tooth is called enamel. Most of us know how strong enamel is — in fact, it is the hardest substance in our bodies, stronger even than bones.

Tooth Trivia

• 40% of people over the age of 65 have lost some or all of their teeth. Brush and floss regularly!
• Teeth are as unique as fingerprints. (That’s why TV crime shows sometimes identify criminals by their bite marks.)
• Lefties tend to chew on the left side of their mouth. Righties tend to chew on the right.
• Switch from sugar to Lippa Dulcis. This rare plant found in Mexico is 1000 times sweeter than sugar and does not cause tooth decay.
• Teeth begin to grow in a human fetus after only 6 weeks.

Bacteria in the mouth thrives on sugar. After “eating” it, the bacteria leaves behind an acid, which eats away at the enamel on the teeth and causes cavities and other oral health problems. The more sugar you eat, the more the bacteria gets to eat, and the more acid that gets produced. Can you believe that it would be better to eat one large dessert, once a day, than three little pieces of candy over the course of a whole day?

It’s true! Bacteria get “full” after processing a certain amount of sugar, so that extra that’s in the large piece of cake aren’t going to affect the bacteria. However giving it a little sugar 3 times a day makes it produce that enamel destroying acid three times a day, instead of just once.

Here are 5 important ways to help your kids keep their teeth healthy and decay-free:

• Limit kids to foods containing sugar only 2-3 times per day, with no sugary snacks or beverages. The frequency of sugar intake is much more important to think about than the amount of sugar, so when it comes to your teeth and decay, one large dessert (or even a double helping) is better than small amounts of sugar all day long.
• Start brushing your child’s teeth for them when they cut their first tooth, at around 6 months. Keep brushing and flossing for them, until they are responsible enough to do it on their own. Double check their work, make sure they’re doing it at least twice a day, but preferably after any meal containing sugars.
• Make sure your child gets regular fluoride treatments as soon as they are old enough, and once they reach pre-teen ages, around 12, ensure they’re getting fluoridated water or chewable tablets to continue the strengthening process through adulthood. (Yes, even adults can benefit!)
• Ask your dentist to show your child some photos of what happens to teeth that aren’t cared for properly. Then ask your children if they want their teeth to look like that, or if they’d like them to be clean, white, and healthy like they are now. Explain to them what they need to do to keep that from happening and why.
• There are several mouthwashes on the market that are approved by the ADA (American Dental Association) that will help your child see the leftover plaque and bacteria on their teeth after improper brushing.

Of course, regular checkups and visits to the dentist are a necessity for everyone, and nothing can substitute the professional opinion of one who has actually seen your child’s teeth!

Dental flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. Flossing and brushing both get rid of bacteria that cling to teeth and cause tooth decay (not to mention bad breath). Regular brushing is a must, but it won’t clean out the bacteria hiding in those narrow spaces between your teeth. Regular flossing will. The American Dental Association recommends at least once per day.

True, regular flossing is a chore. If you need motivation, remember that over time, the bacteria hiding out between your teeth, if undisturbed, will turn into hard-to-remove tartar. Tartar irritates and inflames the gums and eventually leads to serious conditions that inflame and weaken the gums and bone structure supporting the teeth. In short, flossing keeps your teeth from falling out.

If you avoid flossing because of discomfort, you might be surprised to see how many types of dental floss are available these days — waxed, unwaxed, flavored, flat, rounded, floss on string, floss mounted in holders. Waxed floss is more durable than the unwaxed variety, but is harder to work in between tightly spaced teeth. If you’re not sure which variety is right for you, check with your dentist.

Flossing is not just for adults. Children should begin flossing (with adult supervision) around the age of 2 to 3. Starting the dental floss habit early may be the best way to prevent serious decay and gum issues decades later.

Each one of our teeth has a name -

• Central incisors - those two big ones right in front
• Lateral incisor - the tooth next door
• Canine
• First Premolar (Bicuspid)
• Second Premolar (Bicuspid)
• First Molar
• Second Molar
• Third Molar (Wisdom tooth)

As with most everything in nature, each type of tooth serves a purpose. Incisors are used to bite into food. Canines are used to tear into food. Molars are used for crushing and grinding food up. Premolars are mainly used for tearing, but resemble molars in that they have more than one cusp, or point. (To be exact, premolars have two cusps, hence the term “bicuspid”. However, only one of the cusps is functional, making the premolar functionally more similar to the single cusp canine.)

In an upcoming post on dental terms, we’ll talk about the parts of our individual teeth.

When you think of going to the dentist, you’re likely to think about cavities and fillings, root canals and extractions, treatments, or any other number of “operative” types of work in your mouth. However cosmetic dentistry focuses on making the appearance of one’s teeth better.

The other benefit (aside from making your smile pretty) of cosmetic dentistry can be restorative benefits. Historically, many people would receive types of dental fillings that were made of gold or amalgam, which made your teeth look dark. Today it’s possible to have your fillings made of porcelain or resins that match your natural tooth color, so your smile looks more natural. Cosmetically speaking, people can get their old fillings replaced with newer, tooth-colored fillings to achieve these results.

Another big “trend” these days is tooth whitening. Caffeine, nicotine (and other cigarette chemicals), tea, berries, and sugars can badly discolor the teeth, making them look yellow or even brown. Whitening kits have become very popular, but they often miss the mark on getting people that brilliant white smile they’re longing for. Cosmetic dentistry will almost always involve some sort of whitening treatment.

Smile makeovers and full mouth reconstructions are also becoming very popular. This includes treatments for over/under bites, bone and muscular structures, as well as crooked or chipped teeth, broken teeth, or missing teeth.

The names of procedures that can be considered “cosmetic” are dental fillings (if being done only as a means to replace old fillings), bonding (the sculpted repair of broken or chipped teeth, made to look like new), whitening, dental veneers (thin plastic or porcelain laminates that hide “ugly” teeth or gaps in teeth), and dental implants (artificial tooth replacements, like prosthetic teeth).

The Tooth of the Matter is all about — you guessed it — teeth. We’ll be talking about how to take care of our teeth, common dental problems, the latest trends in dentistry, and any teeth-related topics you’d like to suggest!

Our goal is to provide useful dental information for you and your family, without getting technical or long-winded.

Our main topic areas, at least for starters, will include –

• Tooth care for children
• Tooth care for adults
• Dental terms
• Dental conditions
• Dental procedures
• Cosmetic dentistry

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