Dentin is not only a major part of your teeth but makes up the entirety of elephant ivory. Found under the enamel it is key in support the harder outer service and protection of the sensitive pulp at the centre. Being under the semi-transparent enamel, dentin plays an important role in determining the colour of your teeth. Dentin is made of microscopic tubes of dentinal fluids containing many minerals, primarily calcium. The dentin is both more pliable and more permeable than the surrounding enamel. As your Bristol dentist will tell you, this gives your teeth the advantage of flexibility but the greater risk of tooth decay. Tooth sensitivity is often caused by the exposure of the dentin through the loss of the enamel. The dentin has three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary. The majority of dentin is primary and found in between the enamel and pulp chamber. Primary dentin is a mixture of mantle dentin, at the closest point to the enamel and newly formed predentin which is not fully mineralised. After root formation is complete (once it is a functional tooth), secondary dentin is produced incrementally around the pulp chamber and gradually shrinks the pulp chamber of teeth. Tertiary dentin only appears through the occurrence of cavities and other external stimulus. The severity and duration of external damage determines the formation and structure of tertiary dentin.
To help protect your teeth it s important to know the structure of a tooth and how it is affected by plaque, bacteria and other harmful substances. This will hopefully mean that you can taken better care of your teeth and have a better understanding of what you need to do to give your teeth the best chance of staying healthy and looking their best.
The outside of the tooth is covered by a hard substance called enamel. This acts as a protective barrier for the tooth, stopping damaging substances attacking the more sensitive parts of the tooth underneath. Under the enamel is the dentin, a substance made of hardened minerals, mostly calcium. This again encases the central parts of the tooth and constitutes most of the tooth’s body.
At the central part of the tooth is the pulp, which coats the dental nerve. This is the most sensitive and important part of the tooth and if this is exposed to the bacteria it can be both very damaging and painful.
The best way to look after your teeth is to make sure that they are protected at the very first stage. Brushing and flossing will remove the layer of plaque and bacteria that coat the teeth and release acid that breaks them down. By removing plaque you can prevent the first stage of tooth decay in the form of small dental cavities. Once the layer of enamel has been penetrated, the rest of the tooth will quickly come under attack and may even become infected. Not only will this be very unpleasant but it can also result in the destruction of the dental nerve and ultimately, the loss of the tooth. For more information about the structure of the tooth and how best to protect it, make an appointment to see your Weston-super-Mare dentist.
You may have heard the word dentin mentioned in relation to teeth but what exactly is it and what does it do? Dentin is the milky white substance that makes up the bulk of your teeth. It is covered in enamel and protects the dental nerve inside it. Dentin is made up of minerals, mostly calcium, and coats the more sensitive pulp underneath it. Looking after dentin is very important because even though it is quite hard and tough it can easily be affected by rot from decay and infection. If this happens you will definitely know about it through the pain you suffer and the cost of treatment.
Dentin is for the most part made of mineralised tissue but also contains cells called dentinal fluids. It is both harder and denser than bones which in some art explains why elephants ivory has long been a prized commodity (all teeth are made from dentin be it human or animal).
As mentioned above, it is very important to look after your dentin or you may suffer the consequences. Luckily, this is quite easy to do as long as you follow your dentist’s advice and clean your teeth regularly and effectively. Bristol dentists recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day. Each brush should last approximately three minutes. It is also vital that you are flossing your teeth to remove any plaque that is hard to reach and food particles trapped in teeth that can be breeding grounds for bacteria.
On top of this cleaning process, it is also vital that you make a six-monthly visit to your dentist so they examine the condition of both your enamel and the dentin that lies beneath it. Catching problems at an early stage is very important for keeping your teeth healthy and preventing dental health problems.
As we age our teeth become more susceptible to staining and discolouration. Tooth whitening is a process that aims to reverse the process of discolouration and combat staining without the need for costly veneers or other restorations.
The tooth is made up of two distinct layers. At the top is the protective layer of tooth enamel. Underneath this is a layer of a very hard substance called dentin. When we eat certain foods and drink certain liquids these two layers can become stained. Foods particularly bad for staining teeth are red wine, coffee and tea. Smoking cigarettes is also very bad for the teeth leaving yellow stains.
It is possible to remove some stains of the surface of the enamel using ordinary cleaning techniques or by visiting a dental hygienist. However, if the discolouration penetrates to the dentin then it is very hard if not impossible to remove. This is when a tooth whitening procedure may be very useful to restore teeth to their original colour.
The process works by applying a bleaching agent, usually hydrogen peroxide, to the surface of the tooth. This is accomplished by using special trays that keep the active gel in contact with the tooth. The peroxide penetrates the tooth and targets stained areas, returning them to their white colour.
One of the most popular whitening treatments available from Bath dentists is called Enlighten. Enlighten has an excellent safety record, especially when applied by a dentist with all the necessary safety equipment. Using an enlighten product for a couple of hours each day especially prepared trays from your dentist could lighten the colour of your teeth by up to ten shades. Teeth whitening is a very effective and affordable cosmetic dentistry treatment that can produce stunning results. Ask your dentist for more information.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
