Lesson 2

How can you keep your teeth healthy?

You can keep your teeth healthy by practicing good oral hygiene.

Care of Teeth and Mouth

Lesson 2

Identify the parts of a tooth.

Examine the effects of health behaviors on prevention of diseases of the teeth and mouth.

Relate the importance of early detection and warning signs that prompt individuals to seek dental care.

In this lesson, you’ll learn to:

Lesson Objectives

Lesson 2

Function of the Teeth

Maintaining healthy teeth is important not only for your appearance but also for your overall health.

Your teeth allow you to chew foods properly and help form the shape and structure of your mouth.

Care of Teeth and Mouth

Lesson 2

Parts of a Tooth

The structures of the periodontium support the teeth and hold them in place. The periodontium is made up of the gums, periodontal ligament, and the jawbone.

A tooth is made up of three parts:

1. Crown

2. Neck

3. Root

Your Teeth

Lesson 2

Cross Section of a Tooth

Your Teeth

Lesson 2

The Crown

The crown is covered with enamel, a hard substance made of calcium that protects the teeth.

Beneath the enamel is dentin, a layer of connective tissue that contributes to the shape and hardness of a tooth and acts as a barrier to protect the pulp.

Pulp extends into the root canal and provides nourishment to the tooth.

Your Teeth

Lesson 2

Main Threats to Healthy Teeth

As plaque coats a tooth, it prevents your saliva, which contains substances that protect teeth from bacteria, from reaching the tooth surface.

In areas where plaque accumulates, bacteria thrive and the acids from the bacteria break down enamel.

If the breakdown of enamel continues, a hole, or cavity, is formed in a tooth.

The tooth can continue to decay to the pulp and may have to be removed if left untreated.

Healthy Teeth and Mouth

Lesson 2

Oral Hygiene

Brushing teeth after eating removes plaque from the surface of the teeth, before bacteria can produce the acid that harms teeth.

Flossing between teeth removes plaque in areas that cannot be reached with the bristles of a toothbrush.

Regular visits to a dental care professional will ensure early detection of dental problems.

Healthy Teeth and Mouth

Lesson 2

Nutrition and Healthy Teeth

Foods containing phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin C help keep your teeth strong and your gums healthy.

Reducing the number of sugary snacks eaten between meals also helps protect your teeth from decay.

Avoid all tobacco products since they stain teeth and cause gums to recede. They also increase the risk of oral cancer.

Healthy Teeth and Mouth

Lesson 2

Halitosis

Periodontal Disease

Malocclusion

Oral Problems

Problems of the Teeth and Mouth

Lesson 2

Halitosis, or bad breath, can be caused by eating certain foods, poor oral hygiene, smoking, bacteria on the tongue, decayed teeth, or gum disease.

If halitosis is caused by tooth decay or disease, treatment by a dental professional is needed.

Halitosis

Problems of the Teeth and Mouth

Lesson 2

Periodontal disease begins with the buildup of plaque.

Plaque and tartar cause the gums to become irritated and swollen.

Early detection is important since, left untreated, periodontal disease can destroy the bone and tissue that support the teeth.

Periodontal Disease

Problems of the Teeth and Mouth

Lesson 2

Malocclusion can lead to decay and disease, and it can affect a person’s speech and ability to chew.

Some malocclusions can be corrected by wearing braces, which reposition teeth by exerting pressure on them.

Malocclusion

Problems of the Teeth and Mouth

Lesson 2

Q. _________ is a sticky, colorless

film that acts on sugar to form acids that destroy tooth enamel.

1. Plaque 2. Pulp

3. Malocclusion

4. Periodontium

Choose the appropriate option.

Quick Review

Lesson 2

A. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that acts on sugar to form

acids that destroy tooth enamel.

Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 2

Provide a short answer to the question given below.

Q. Define the terms periodontium and pulp.

Quick Review

Click Next to view the answer.

Lesson 2

A. The periodontium is the area immediately around the teeth.

The pulp is the tissue that contains the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth.

Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 2

Provide a short answer to the question given below.

Q. How does plaque affect the teeth?

Quick Review

Click Next to view the answer.

Lesson 2

A. Plaque coats the teeth, making it difficult for saliva to

protect the tooth surface from the acids in bacteria.

Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 2

How can early detection of gum disease affect your long-term health?

Analyze the following question.

Quick Review

Lesson 2

A. Correct! Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that acts on sugar

to form acids that destroy tooth enamel.

Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 2

You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.

Quick Review - Answer

Lesson 2

A tooth is made up of three parts:

1. Crown

2. Neck

3. Root

The structures of the periodontium support the teeth and hold them in place. The periodontium is made up of the gums, periodontal ligament, and the jawbone.

Parts of a Tooth

The periodontium is the area immediately around the teeth.

The periodontium is the area immediately around the teeth.

Your Teeth

Lesson 2

The crown is covered with enamel, a hard substance made of calcium that protects the teeth.

Beneath the enamel is dentin, a layer of connective tissue that contributes to the shape and hardness of a tooth and acts as a barrier to protect the pulp.

Pulp extends into the root canal and provides nourishment to the tooth.

The pulp is the tissue that contains the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth.

The pulp is the tissue that contains the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth.

The Crown

Your Teeth

Lesson 2

As plaque coats a tooth, it prevents your saliva, which contains substances that protect teeth from bacteria, from reaching the tooth surface.

In areas where plaque accumulates, bacteria thrive and the acids from the bacteria break down enamel.

If the breakdown of enamel continues, a hole, or cavity, is formed in a tooth.

The tooth can continue to decay to the pulp and may have to be removed if left untreated.

Main Threats to Healthy Teeth

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that acts on sugar to form acids that destroy tooth enamel and irritate gums.

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that acts on sugar to form acids that destroy tooth enamel and irritate gums.

Healthy Teeth and Mouth

Lesson 2

Periodontal disease begins with the buildup of plaque.

Plaque and tartar cause the gums to become irritated and swollen.

Early detection is important since, left untreated, periodontal disease can destroy the bone and tissue that support the teeth.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the periodontal structures.

Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the periodontal structures.

Problems of the Teeth and Mouth

Lesson 2

Periodontal disease begins with the buildup of plaque.

Plaque and tartar cause the gums to become irritated and swollen.

Early detection is important since, left untreated, periodontal disease can destroy the bone and tissue that support the teeth.

Periodontal Disease

Tartar is the hard, crustlike substance formed when plaque hardens.

Tartar is the hard, crustlike substance formed when plaque hardens.

Problems of the Teeth and Mouth