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What Are Teeth Made Of?
Teeth are something that you all use daily. Everyone in Ballwin has - or had - them. They are necessary to the manner in which you eat and live every single day. We all know that we should take care of our teeth by brushing them twice daily, flossing, and seeing a dentist regularly. But what are we taking care of anyway?
What are our teeth actually made of?
Basically, the major component of the human tooth is known as enamel. To be precise, enamel is the whitish hard shell that is seen by the human eye on your teeth. The enamel is a hard substance that prevents teeth from breaking easily. Underneath enamel is a softer substance called dentin. This is also an outer shell that covers an even softer substance known as dental pulp. The pulp cavity houses dental pulp and is the most delicate part of the tooth.
So what is tooth enamel made of?
This hard substance that coats your teeth and makes a strong shell is really made up of different types of minerals, the major material being hydroxyapatite. There are quite a number of minerals and other elements that makeup tooth enamel. You probably use some of these minerals and elements daily. In enamel, there is aluminum copper, nickel, cobalt, iodine, lead, manganese, and selenium. These makeup the hard shell that looks like normal bone. The main function of these elements is to make the enamel strong and essentially assist in protecting the pulp cavity and dentin from being damaged.
What is dentin made of?
In dentin, there are only two elements like fluorine and iron. The enamel requires some more elements since it is the physical protection of the teeth itself. More elements makes enamel more resilient and stronger.
What is dental pulp made of?
This part of the tooth is the most sensitive and weakest part because it is made up of cells known as odontoblasts. Nerves and blood vessels run through the dental pulp.
Are teeth the same as bones?
There is some evidence that indicates that human teeth are chemically almost like that of human bones. They are both resilient substances that can last for a long duration of times, and they seem to have similar chemical makeups. Obviously, bones have no a pulp cavity, but if you observe the bone marrows of bones, teeth seem to have bone marrows. The tooth is chemically full of distinguished minerals that are rigid enough to use for grinding and gnashing.
Why do I need to take care of my teeth?
Because your tooth is made up of minerals, natural things seem to happen, organically. Plaque is a bad substance that may start to eat away at the enamel your teeth. This can cause discomfort and pain. To ensure that teeth are healthy, you need to keep your teeth away from harmful bacteria. Brushing your teeth with ADA approve toothpaste twice a day, flossing, and even using ADA approved mouthwash can help protect your enamel. We want to ensure that your enamel is not overly exposed to harmful bacteria or any other agents that may cause it to wear away.
If stuffing is on your menu for the next few holiday dinners, consider preparing it with apples, carrots, or celery. Not only will these keep your stuffing moist, which is softer for your teeth and needs less of your saliva to send through your digestive system, but they add vitamins and nutrients to support your health. Vitamins A and C support your immune system, saliva production, and digestion.
Happy Autumn from your Ballwin dentist team! As the weather changes and our schedules fill up with activities, it’s important to stay on top of your health and safety. Keeping a routine for your oral health, hydration, and safety will help your body run smoothly and minimize emergency dentist or doctor visits. Here are a few important reminders to stay on track and treat your body well this fall.
Acute tooth pain is centralized to a specific area for less than six months, and chronic tooth pain lasts longer. If you feel either, let’s identify and treat it immediately. Cavities can show up as a toothache. A decayed root canal can cause severe pain. Our experienced Ballwin dentist office team treats all tooth pain.
Our Ballwin dentist and the ADA agree that the recommended length of time to brush is for at least two minutes, twice a day. If this sounds like longer than your typical brushing session, consider buying an electric toothbrush that times you. You can also brush each quadrant for at least thirty seconds. Find a song you enjoy at least two minutes long, and play it when you brush your teeth. If the kids need some assistance, there are some great apps that can help them brush the full length of time.
Everyone can have a beautiful smile. After all, only a small percentage of people actually require little to no assistance with their smile. Teeth whitening procedures brighten smiles, braces straighten teeth, and cosmetic dentistry gives Ballwin dentist patients new smiles. A great smile significantly impacts your life. People look younger with a healthy smile, feel better about themselves, and have more confidence among their peers and co-workers.
Veneers are a wonderful solution when you experience the following with your smile: Stained or discolored teeth that don’t respond with normal teeth whitening services Gaps between teeth Chipped or fractured teeth Teeth that are uneven Aside from the above reasons, our Ballwin dentist can instruct you on how our veneers even out your smile and make it look great day after day.
Your smile is your own signature; the first thing people notice about you and a way for them to learn more about you. As the dentist Ballwin patients have trusted for their preventative dentistry and oral health needs, talk to us about your smile and teeth whitening procedures. Do you want whiter teeth? Is your smile as bright as it could be? What do you do to protect and maintain your smile? There are many things you may do on a daily basis that compromise your smile without you knowing. So, if you find yourself wishing for whiter teeth, schedule an appointment with our Ballwin dentist. You can also keep the following tips in mind:
The flu virus is contagious and spreads through coughs, saliva, and sneezes. Flu symptoms take a few days to appear once a person has contracted the flu virus. Various types of flu strains exist. The flu is most prevalent during the colder months of the year. Typically, the season runs from October to March, but it isn’t uncommon to get the flu in the summer months, too. The flu virus can live on hard surfaces for nearly 2 days. It can survive on clothing for 12 hours. When caring for yourself or a loved one who has the flu, wash your hands often. It is also important to keep surfaces and areas that are shared with others clean. Wipe down door handles and remote controls. Keep phones, computers, and tablets clean with microfiber towels and only use with clean hands. Be mindful when doing laundry to wash your hands after handling clothes carrying the virus.
One of the first ways to get started on your resolution is to just pick up the phone. Schedule a consultation with our Ballwin dentist. Talk with us about your smile and what you’d like to change. While basic dental insurance plans cover dental examinations and other preventative dentistry measures, you may be surprised to learn that certain restorative dental services are available to you, too. After calling our office, call your insurance provider. We work with your dental insurance companies on a daily basis to help you get your new smile.
The short answer is not so much due to the amount of sugar used to sweeten the pumpkin. However, with that in mind, there are some great benefits to our oral health found in pumpkins. Adding whipped cream to the top of your slice doesn’t help, but a little dollop used sparingly isn’t that awful, provided you brush and floss regularly. Brushing your teeth and flossing after eating sweets is essential to reducing your risk of cavities and tooth decay. We also recommend visiting your Ballwin dentist for regular checkups to ensure your smile is in good order.