teeth Flashcards
what are the functions of an incisor?
biting and cutting food
what are the functions of a canine?
tearing food
what are the functions of a premolar and a molar?
crushing and grinding food
what are the functions of the enamel?
。protecting the tooth from damage
。non-living tissue
。hardest material in the human body
what are the functions of the dentine?
。bone-like living tissue
。makes up most of the teeth
。rich in calcium salts
what are the functions of the pulp cavity?
。contains blood vessels and nerves
。supply oxygen and nutrients
。detect pain and temperature, produce sensations
what are the functions of cementum?
。keeps tooth in place with jawbone through periodontal membrane
what are the functions of the periodontal membrane?
。attaching the cementum and the jawbone together
。absorb shock
。allow slight movement when biting
what are the functions of the gum?
。rich supply of blood vessels
how is tooth decay caused?
。food debris form plaque
。bacteria in plaque act on sugar to produce acid
。acid damage the enamel and make a hole
。spread from enamel to dentine to pulp cavity
。acid irritates the nerves and cause toothache
。decayed tooth have to be removed in serious case
how is periodontal disease caused?
。plaque accumulate between teeth and gums to form calculus
。bacteria in calculus secret toxins -> gums becomes red and swollen
。calculus spreads and pushes gum away
。tooth become loose and fall out
what are the functions of jawbone?
。living tissue
。rich in calcium salts
