1. Care of Teeth and Mouth How can you keep your teeth healthy?
You can keep your teeth healthy by practicing good oral hygiene.

2. Lesson Objectives In this lesson, you’ll learn to:
Identify the parts of a tooth.
Examine the effects of health behaviors on prevention of diseases of the teeth and mouth.
Relate the importance of early detection and warning signs that prompt individuals to seek dental care.

3. Care of Teeth and Mouth Function of the Teeth
Maintaining healthy teeth is important not only for your appearance but also for your overall health.
Your teeth allow you to chew foods properly and help form the shape and structure of your mouth.

4. Your Teeth Parts of a Tooth
The structures of the periodontium support the teeth and hold them in place. The periodontium is made up of the gums, periodontal ligament, and the jawbone.
A tooth is made up of three parts:
Crown
Neck
Root

5. Your Teeth
Cross Section of a Tooth

6. Your Teeth
The Crown
The crown is covered with enamel, a hard substance made of calcium that protects the teeth.
Beneath the enamel is dentin, a layer of connective tissue that contributes to the shape and hardness of a tooth and acts as a barrier to protect the pulp.
Pulp extends into the root canal and provides nourishment to the tooth.

7. Healthy Teeth and Mouth
Main Threats to Healthy Teeth
As plaque coats a tooth, it prevents your saliva, which contains substances that protect teeth from bacteria, from reaching the tooth surface.
In areas where plaque accumulates, bacteria thrive and the acids from the bacteria break down enamel.
If the breakdown of enamel continues, a hole, or cavity, is formed in a tooth.
The tooth can continue to decay to the pulp and may have to be removed if left untreated.

8. Healthy Teeth and Mouth
Oral Hygiene
Brushing teeth after eating removes plaque from the surface of the teeth, before bacteria can produce the acid that harms teeth.
Flossing between teeth removes plaque in areas that cannot be reached with the bristles of a toothbrush.
Regular visits to a dental care professional will ensure early detection of dental problems.

9. Healthy Teeth and Mouth
Nutrition and Healthy Teeth
Foods containing phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin C help keep your teeth strong and your gums healthy.
Reducing the number of sugary snacks eaten between meals also helps protect your teeth from decay.
Avoid all tobacco products since they stain teeth and cause gums to recede. They also increase the risk of oral cancer.

10. Problems of the Teeth and Mouth
Oral Problems
Halitosis
Periodontal Disease
Malocclusion

11. Problems of the Teeth and Mouth
Halitosis
Halitosis, or bad breath, can be caused by eating certain foods, poor oral hygiene, smoking, bacteria on the tongue, decayed teeth, or gum disease.
If halitosis is caused by tooth decay or disease, treatment by a dental professional is needed.

12. Problems of the Teeth and Mouth
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease begins with the buildup of plaque.
Plaque and tartar cause the gums to become irritated and swollen.
Early detection is important since, left untreated, periodontal disease can destroy the bone and tissue that support the teeth.

13. Problems of the Teeth and Mouth
Malocclusion
Malocclusion can lead to decay and disease, and it can affect a person’s speech and ability to chew.
Some malocclusions can be corrected by wearing braces, which reposition teeth by exerting pressure on them.

14. Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. _________ is a sticky, colorless film that acts on sugar to form acids that destroy tooth enamel.
Plaque
Pulp
Malocclusion
Periodontium

15. Quick Review - Answer
A. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that acts on sugar to form acids that destroy tooth enamel.
Click Next to attempt another question.

16. Q. Define the terms periodontium and pulp.
Quick Review
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. Define the terms periodontium and pulp.
Click Next to view the answer.

17. A. The periodontium is the area immediately around the teeth.
Quick Review - Answer
A. The periodontium is the area immediately around the teeth.
The pulp is the tissue that contains the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth.
Click Next to attempt another question.

18. Q. How does plaque affect the teeth?
Quick Review
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. How does plaque affect the teeth?
Click Next to view the answer.

19. Quick Review - Answer
A. Plaque coats the teeth, making it difficult for saliva to protect the tooth surface from the acids in bacteria.
Click Next to attempt another question.

20. Quick Review Analyze the following question.
How can early detection of gum disease affect your long-term health?

21. Quick Review - Answer
A. Correct! Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that acts on sugar to form acids that destroy tooth enamel.
Click Next to attempt another question.

22. Quick Review - Answer
You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.

23. Your Teeth Parts of a Tooth
The structures of the periodontium support the teeth and hold them in place. The periodontium is made up of the gums, periodontal ligament, and the jawbone.
The periodontium is the area immediately around the teeth.
A tooth is made up of three parts:
Crown
Neck
Root

24. Your Teeth
The Crown
The crown is covered with enamel, a hard substance made of calcium that protects the teeth.
Beneath the enamel is dentin, a layer of connective tissue that contributes to the shape and hardness of a tooth and acts as a barrier to protect the pulp.
Pulp extends into the root canal and provides nourishment to the tooth.
The pulp is the tissue that contains the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth.

25. Healthy Teeth and Mouth
Main Threats to Healthy Teeth
As plaque coats a tooth, it prevents your saliva, which contains substances that protect teeth from bacteria, from reaching the tooth surface.
In areas where plaque accumulates, bacteria thrive and the acids from the bacteria break down enamel.
If the breakdown of enamel continues, a hole, or cavity, is formed in a tooth.
The tooth can continue to decay to the pulp and may have to be removed if left untreated.
Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that acts on sugar to form acids that destroy tooth enamel and irritate gums.

26. Problems of the Teeth and Mouth
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease begins with the buildup of plaque.
Plaque and tartar cause the gums to become irritated and swollen.
Early detection is important since, left untreated, periodontal disease can destroy the bone and tissue that support the teeth.
Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the periodontal structures.

27. Problems of the Teeth and Mouth
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease begins with the buildup of plaque.
Plaque and tartar cause the gums to become irritated and swollen.
Early detection is important since, left untreated, periodontal disease can destroy the bone and tissue that support the teeth.
Tartar is the hard, crustlike substance formed when plaque hardens.