Tooth, from the Latin dentis, is the hard body found in the jaws of humans and many animals and used to chew food or, in the case of certain animals, as a defense. The exposed part of the teeth, which is visible, is known as the crown and is protected by dental enamel. The root of the tooth, on the other hand, is not visible in a healthy mouth. The union of the crown with the root is called the neck.
The teeth are embedded in the maxillary bones by a joint known as the gomphosis. In this joint it is possible to distinguish the dental cementum and the alveolar bone, which are united by the periodontal ligament.
Composed of calcium and phosphorus, teeth are mineralized tissue structures whose development begins at an early age. A deciduous or milk dentition first emerges, falls out naturally and is replaced by the permanent dentition.
Thanks to teeth, people and animals can chew food for proper digestion. The teeth can be divided into incisors (which allow cutting food ), canines (dedicated to tearing), premolars (which crush food) and molars (grind). It should be noted that the teeth are also involved in oral communication.
Oral hygiene, which is developed with a toothbrush, dental floss and other implements, is essential to keep the teeth in good condition. If hygiene is not correct, it is possible to develop diseases such as dental plaque, caries, periodontitis and gingivitis.
Dental diseases
Dental plaque
The focus of dental (or bacterial ) plaque is the surface of the teeth, gums and restorations, and it is not easy to see, unless it is stained. It has a soft consistency and its color tends to be yellowish. It can form in a very short time and is difficult to eliminate, in addition to presenting itself in a different form and location in each person. When dental plaque becomes calcified, calculus or tartar may appear.
Cavities
The disease known as caries (sometimes wrongly called caries ), is characterized by the destruction of dental tissue due to the acids released by certain bacteria that are deposited on the surface of the teeth. It is important to treat cavities in time, to prevent them from attacking the hard tissues, which generates serious inflammation and, in the worst case, the death of the dental pulp, which is also known as necrosis.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a disease usually of bacterial origin, which causes bleeding of the gums and inflammation, due to food remains that are not properly removed during the oral hygiene process.
Periodontitis
The common name of periodontitis is pyorrhea, and it is a chronic and irreversible disease. Its normal course begins with gingivitis and later with gingival retraction and bone loss; in the worst cases, when left untreated, it can remove the bony support of the teeth.
Bruxism
Nocturnal bruxism is a little-known disorder and consists of involuntary pressing and grinding of the teeth during sleep, and affects an average of 15% of the population. Since the patient is usually unaware of these actions, they are usually noticed by someone who sleeps with them, or by a dentist who discovers the inevitable destruction of dentin and enamel. In general, bruxism usually appears between the ages of 17 and 20, and its remission usually takes place around the age of 40, spontaneously. With regard to gender, it affects men and women equally.
Halitosis
Halitosis is a symptom characterized by bad breath and affects more than half of the general population. After several hours of sleep, given the lack of activity of the oral structures and the low production of saliva, the presence of halitosis is common.
