Understanding your teeth is the first step to protecting them. How and why to cavities occur? How do you prevent them? What if you grind your teeth at night? There are a lot of potential problems that can occur with your teeth, but there are just as many ways to protect yourself from them.First, we start with the anatomy of the tooth, so we know what we’re looking at in there. Assuming you haven’t lost any of your adult teeth, you should have a total of 32, divided up thusly:• 8 incisors• 4 canines• 8 premolars• 8 molars• 4 wisdom teethEach tooth is made up of different components: the enamel, dentin, pulp/nerve, cementum, and periodontal ligament. Each of these components can be affected by different things, and must be treated different ways.Common Threats to Your TeethThere are a number of common ailments that can lead to bigger oral problems if they’re not corrected immediately. Some of these problems include:• Cavities – Damage to the enamel and deeper components of the teeth.• Gingivitis – Inflammation on the surface of the gums and between the crowns of the teeth.• Plaque – A film of bacteria (and their secreted substances) that forms after eating sugary food.• Tartar – Plaque plus minerals equals tartar. Requires a professional to remove.• Misaligned teeth – Overbites, underbites, and crooked teeth which can impact the function of the mouth.• Teeth grinding – A reaction to stress or anxiety that can wear down teeth.• Periodontitis – Inflammation in the deeper components of the teeth.How to Protect Your TeethSo, with that many potential problems with your teeth, how do you deal with them? The most obvious answers are regular checkups and daily brushing/flossing/mouth washing. But there are, of course, a few more procedures, usually on the professional level, that will get your mouth smiling again. This could include everything from braces and mouthgards to dental implants, fillings, and root canals.Get to know more about your teeth so you’ll recognize problems and get them taken care of as soon as possible. Your smile will thank you for it.
