1. The
Teeth
© PDST Home Economics

2. Healthy Teeth & Gums
 Help us to digest food
 Make us look better
 Good health – bad teeth cause
bad
breath, abscesses, stomach
upset
 Help us speak clearly

3. Sets of Teeth
 Primary Teeth aka milk, temporary.
 20 teeth
 0 to 7 yrs
 Permanent Teeth
 32 teeth
 8yrs to death

4. Types and
functions of
teeth
Types Number Function
Incisor 8 Cut & bite
Canine 4 Tear
Premolar 8 Chew & grind
Molar 12 Chew & grind

5. Structure of the Tooth

6. Structure
 2 main part (a) crown, (b) root
 Mostly made of dentine which is like bone
 The crown is covered in enamel, the hardest
substance in the body.
 The root is covered in cement which sticks the
tooth in the gum and bone
 In the centre of the dentine is a space called the
pulp cavity, blood vessels and nerves are found
here

7. Dental Health
 2 main dental health problems are (a) tooth
decay and (b) gum disease.
 Both are caused by plaque, a mixture of food
saliva and bacteria that build up on the teeth.
 Tooth decay: Bacteria react with food forming
acid which burns into the tooth causing a
cavity, when the decay reaches the nerve pain is
felt.

8. Gum disease

9. Dental decay

10. Care of teeth
 Brush twice a day at least using fluoride
toothpaste
 Floss at night to avoid gum disease
 Replace toothbrush regularly
 Visit dentist every 6 months
 Avoid sugary foods
 Eat calcium and Vit D rich foods

11. Fluoride
 Mineral element that makes tooth enamel
stronger and prevents decay.
 Added to our water supply, toothpaste and
mouth wash