Great! Let’s explore our teeth and what’s inside them, layer by layer:

Types of Teeth (in adults)

Adults usually have 32 teeth, each type having a specific function:

1. Incisors (8) – Front teeth; sharp and used for cutting food.

2. Canines (4) – Pointed; used for tearing food.

3. Premolars (8) – Flat with ridges; used for crushing and grinding.

4. Molars (12) – Largest teeth; for final grinding of food. Includes 4 wisdom teeth.

Parts Inside a Tooth (Tooth Structure)

Each tooth has 3 main layers, from outermost to innermost:

1. Enamel

• Hardest substance in your body.

• White, outer layer that protects the tooth.

• Made mostly of minerals (like calcium phosphate).

• No nerves or blood supply—so no feeling here.

2. Dentin

• Yellowish layer beneath enamel.

• Not as hard as enamel; made of tiny tubes.

• If enamel wears off, sensations (hot, cold, pain) can reach this layer.

3. Pulp

• The innermost part.

• Contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

• This is what hurts when you get a toothache or need a root canal.

Supporting Structures Around Teeth

• Gums (Gingiva): Soft tissue that surrounds and protects the tooth roots.

• Cementum: Covers the tooth root and helps anchor it to the jawbone.

• Periodontal Ligament: Holds the tooth firmly in the socket.

• Jawbone (Alveolar bone): Supports and surrounds the roots.

Bonus Facts:

• Baby teeth (deciduous teeth): 20 in total; fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth.

• Tooth decay starts when bacteria produce acid that erodes the enamel and dentin.

Would you like a labeled diagram of the tooth layers and types?