The Human Dentition

Question 1

Ingestion

Answer 1

Taking food into the mouth

Question 2

Digestion

Answer 2

Food is broken down into simple and smaller forms

Question 3

Absorption

Answer 3

Food molecules enter into the blood stream

Question 4

Assimilation

Answer 4

The absorbed food is transported via blood to body cells and used for various purposes

Question 5

Egestion

Answer 5

Undigested and unabsorbed materials are removed from the body in the form of faeces

Question 6

What is dentition

Answer 6

Dentition refers to the whole set of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth

Question 7

What is a dental formula

Answer 7

A dental formula represents the number and types of teeth on one side of the upper and lower jaws

Question 8

Milk dentition

Answer 8

Description
1st set of teeth
Without premolars

Dental formula
2102/2102

Question 9

Permanent dentition

Answer 9

Description
2nd set of teeth
With premolars

Dental formula
2123/2123

i2/2 c1/1 pm2/2 m3/3

Question 10

Incisors

Answer 10

Structure
Flat
chisel-shaped

Function
Biting and cutting food

Question 11

Canines

Answer 11

Structure
Pointed

Function
Killing prey and tearing meat

Question 12

Premolars

Answer 12

Structure
Broad top with cusps
One or two roots

Function
Crushing and grinding food

Question 13

Molars

Answer 13

Structure
Broad top with cusps
Two or three roots

Function
Crushing or grind food

Question 14

Enamel

Answer 14

Characteristics 
Hardest layer
Non-living
- outmost layer
- no living cells
Made of calcium salts (calcium phosphate) and little organic matter 

Function
Protect the tooth from mechanical damage
Make a hard biting surface

Question 15

Dentine

Answer 15

Characteristics
Hard
Living
Made up of calcium salts (calcium phosphate) and some organic matter

Function
Protect the inner parts of the tooth

Question 16

Pulp cavity

Answer 16

Characteristics
Contain sensory nerve endings and blood capillaries

Function
Blood capillaries supply blood and nutrients to the dentine
Nerve endings give the sensation of temperature, pressure and pain

Question 17

Cement

Answer 17

Characteristics
Fibres from cement form the periodontal membrane

Function
Hold the tooth in the jaw bone

Question 18

Periodontal membrane

Answer 18

Function

Allow the tooth to move slightly and act as a shock absorber to protect the tooth from breaking

Question 19

Tooth decay

Answer 19

Bacteria in plague break down sugar to form acids. The acid dissolves the calcium salts in the enamel.Decay has started in the enamel

The decay moves down to the dentine

The decay reaches the pulp cavity

Bacteria reaches the root of the tooth and forms an abscess

Question 20

Prevent tooth decay

Answer 20

Brushing teeth with toothpaste
Using dental floss
Reduce the frequency of snacking