Teeth
Their Role in Mechanical digestion
Examples of mechanical digestion:
Grinding in teeth for mastication = chewing
Churning in stomach
Emulsification of fat molecules.
Incisor Canine
Types of teeth
Premolar
Incisors (8)
Shape: Chiselled shape
Function: Cut the food
Canine (4)
Shape: Chiselled curved pointed shape
Function: Piercing and tearing the food
Premolars (8)
Shape: Uneven cusps on surface and 1-2 roots for stability in Jaw
Function: Grind/ crush the food
Molars
Molars (12)
Shape: Wider surface area with uneven cusps, 2-3 roots for stability in jaw.
Function: Grind/crush
Quesiton: Why does the lion have different teeth than the rabbit?
Lion Teeth: Carnivore so he has well devoloped canine to tear the raw meat or flesh.
Rabbit teeth: Herbivore so it feeds on herbs and plants so it has well developed incisors to help tear the herbs.
Teeth in Adults and Children:
Adults have larger more developed PERMENANT teeth. They also have more premolars and have wisdom teeth
unlike children who have smaller temporary milk teeth.
Structure of teeth (Top to bottom)
Crown: Part which can be seen in mouth.
Enamel is visible.
Enamel :
o Outer layer of tooth
o Hardest substance made by body
(made by calcium)
o Can be dissolved by acids
Root: Part of tooth embedded inside the gum
Dentine: Hard but softer than enamel
Pulp cavity:
o Contains nerves for sensation
o Blood vessels to transport nutrients
and oxygen to the cytoplasm of cells.
o Contains cells that make dentine and
nerves are stimulated when bacteria
reach them so you get a lot of pain.
Cement:
o Bone like substance that has fibres
growing out of it to attach the tooth to
the jaw bone
Tooth decay
Causes: Consuming too much sugary foods and sweety drinks
Effect:
1. Accumulation of Bacteria inside your mouth.
2. The bacteria feed on the sugary food.
3. They anaerobically respire to produce lactic acid which dissolves
tooth enamel.
4. The bacteria then spread into the dentine where it dissolves
much more quicker than enamel because it is softer than enamel
and then the lactic acid dissolves the dentine making a hole in it
for the bacteria to enter pulp cavity.
Give 2 reasons why molars more likely to be damaged by tooth decay
than other teeth.
- Molars have ridges and grooves, so food is more likely to get
trapped there due to the teeth’s large surface area. This makes it
more difficult for toothbrushes to get rid of them.
Plaque
Some bacteria and substances from saliva form a sticky film over
the teeth called plaque.
Over time if we leave the plaque to harden it turns into tartar
which cannot be removed by brushing your teeth.
Gum diseases
If plaque isn’t removed the bacteria in it may infect the gums.
These gums swell and become inflamed and may bleed when u brush your teeth. If plaque isn’t
removed it will work its way down roots and tooth causing the tooth to get loose and may result in it
having to get removed
Gum swelling causes inflammation.
Also gum bleeding can be caused by lack of vitamin C
Ways to protect your teeth
Not eating too much sugary food between meals.
Brushing your teeth after every time you eat.
Visit the dentist regularly to do check up on your body.
Using Fluoride tooth paste to help strengthen tooth enamel.