The Anatomy of a Tooth: What makes up a tooth, and what to do if you have tooth pain

If you're experiencing tooth pain, you can contact our office at any time to make an appointment to see how we can help relieve tooth pain and get you back to feeling better quick. However, it can be helpful to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of a tooth so that you can better understand what's going on inside your mouth. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at each of these parts and discuss what to do if you experience tooth pain.

A tooth is made up of two main parts we'll use to help make things easy: the crown and the root. Most people think of the crown when they think about teeth, which makes perfect sense because that's the part you can actually see in your mouth. Unfortunately, most tooth pain occurs in the unseen part: the root. But, the good news is that Dr. Nieves and our staff can help you diagnose the pain, treat it and work with you to prevent pain from happening again in the future.

The crown: the part you can see (and brush!)

The part of the tooth you can see in your mouth is called the crown. The crown is covered in a hard, white substance known as enamel. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body and protects your teeth from the wear and tear of chewing, biting, and grinding. It also protects your teeth from the acids in food and drink.

It's super important to be diligent about caring for enamel. We all know that we should brush our teeth at least twice a day, but did you know that how you brush your teeth is just as important as how often you brush them? When it comes to taking care of your teeth, you need to be gentle with your enamel. Brushing too hard or using the wrong toothbrush can damage your enamel and lead to sensitivity, discoloration, and even cavities. So, how can you take care of your enamel? First, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle circular motions when brushing. And , be sure to brush your tongue! Tongue bacteria can lead to bad breath and tooth decay.

Second, avoid acidic foods and drinks. Foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, soda, coffee, and wine can all wear away at your enamel. If you do consume acidic foods or drinks, be sure to drink plenty of water afterwards to rinse away the acids.

Third, don't forget to floss! Flossing not only helps remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth where your toothbrush can't reach, but it also stimulates saliva production. Saliva is important because it helps neutralize acids in your mouth and protects your teeth from cavities.

Dentin: Just under the enamel

Under the enamel surface of your tooth is the dentin. Dentin is the hard, bone-like tissue that actually makes up the majority of your tooth. It's very strong and durable, but it can still be damaged by things like cavities and tooth decay. The dentin extends all the way down into the actual root, so it technically is part of both the crown and the root.

Dentin is composed of dentinal tubules, which run from the dentinoenamel junction (DEJ) to the pulp (more on this here soon). The dentinal tubules contain nerve endings that are responsible for the sensation of pain when dentin is exposed to extremes of temperature or pressure. Dentin also contains a variety of minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, and fluoride, which help to make it strong and resistant to wear. In addition, dentin provides support and protection for the tooth's pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerve endings. Without dentin, teeth would be much more susceptible to damage.

The root: the part beneath the surface

The root is the part of your tooth that extends below the gum line and into your jawbone. It's made up of dentin, pulp and cementum. Because the dentin is just under the enamel but also extends down into the root, it's technically part of the root itself. But, we've mentioned it in the part about the crown because that's likely the part where you may start noticing tooth pain in the first place.

The pulp: the center of your tooth

This is where Dr. Nieves's expertise really shines. The pulp is the center of your tooth and contains all the blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. The pulp is technically located in the crown and the root of your tooth, but since it connects to the rest of your mouth and your blood vessels through the root, we'll focus more on the part that deals with the root itself.

The pulp is important because it helps to keep your teeth healthy and strong. It provides nutrients and oxygen to the tooth, which are essential for maintaining its structure and function. In addition, the pulp helps to repair any damage that may occur to the tooth.

If you do need to have a root canal, Dr. Nieves will create an opening through your enamel and dentin to reach the root, then clean out the infected root that is causing you pain. Because Dr. Nieves is a board certified endodontist, he has received the specific training necessary to make sure this process is done so well that 1) your pain is reduced and 2) the risk of reinfection is much lower.

The cementum: anchoring your tooth to your jaw

Cementum is a specialized calcified tissue that covers the root of a tooth. It is the outer layer of the root and functions to support the attachment of the periodontal ligament. Because cementum is avascular, its cells rely on diffusion for nutrition, which makes cementum one of the slowest-turnover tissues in the human body. As we age, cementum becomes thinner and more brittle, making it susceptible to wear and tear. To protect your cementum and keep your teeth healthy, brush and floss regularly to remove plaque buildup, and visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings.

What to do if you have tooth pain?

If you're experiencing tooth pain, we recommend that you see a dentist or endodontist as soon as possible. A dentist or endodontist can diagnose the cause of your pain and recommend treatment options. In some cases, a simple filling may be all that's needed to relieve your pain. However, if the tooth pain is caused by an infection, a root canal may be necessary to save the tooth.

We hope this blog post has given you a better understanding of the anatomy of a tooth and what to do if you experience tooth pain. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our office. We're always happy to help!