Our Glendale dentists have found that the more our patients understand about the basics of oral health, the more empowered and capable they become in caring for their own smiles. That’s why our team has put together this informational article for you to peruse. Let’s get started…
Anatomy of a Tooth
It’s important to remember that although they may appear solid, every tooth is actually comprised of multiple layers of material. The dental enamel, the outermost layer of the tooth, is hard, pretty non-porous, and strong. Under the enamel is a somewhat weaker layer called “dentin.” In the very center of the tooth is dental pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and tooth roots.
Oral Tissues
The soft tissues of your smile are just as important to maintain as your teeth. To that end, make sure that you are keeping your mouth hydrated enough, so as to discourage dry mouth and the resulting oral bacteria that thrive in arid environments. You do want to make sure to gently clean these tissues. As much as possible, apply light pressure and use gentle products to avoid irritation and tissue recession.
Invisible Support
The smile that you see every day when you look in the mirror only tells part of the story. There are a number of supportive structures, like the cementum and periodontal ligament that help to hold your natural teeth in place in the jawbone tissue. If these structures are damaged, your smile as whole can become unstable.
We hope that this article has given you a better idea of what’s possible with proper dental care. And, remember, you can always contact our Glendale dentists to learn more or to schedule a personal consult with our team. We look forward to speaking with you!