Teeth
Teeth are hard, white, protruding structures of various shapes and sizes composed, from the inside to the outside, by pulp, dentine and enamel, implanted in the upper and lower jaws of many vertebrates. As essential elements of the digestive system, they prepare food to be swallowed, reducing it to a paste or bolus.
Teeth are also important as instruments, for performing other functions of a social nature such as communication, and actions of self-defence or attack.
Mammals have teeth which are highly specialized and adapted to different kinds of food. Also, the first set of teeth, called “milk teeth,” is substituted simply and naturally by the "permanent teeth,” which should last a lifetime.
Human Teeth
 An adult normally has 32 teeth, 16 in the lower jaw and 16 in the upper jaw. Four incisors, located at the front, to cut pieces of food as long as they are not very tough. Right next to these are the two sharply pointed canines, one on each side designed for cutting and piercing. The incisors and canines prepare food to enter the mouth. The next task falls to the four pre-molars and six molars which crush and grind the food as well as cutting it.
Between the ages of six months and three years all initial and temporary teeth are formed - a total of 20 teeth. These are replaced by permanent teeth between the ages of six and eleven. The last to fall is the second deciduous molar. The third molars appear around the age of 21 and for this reason they are known as "wisdom teeth."
Our dietary habits, based largely on sugars and carbohydrates, in addition to the busy lifestyles we lead today, mean that regular visits to the dentist throughout life are strongly recommended.
Also, for reasons of heredity, habit or accident, we develop malocclusions, or misalignment of the teeth, which it is important to correct and which require treatment by a dentist (see the Orthodontic specialism in the Services section).
Dental Hygiene
Good hygiene is fundamental for keeping teeth healthy. They should be brushed using fluoride toothpaste after each meal, on waking and last thing at night.
Regular use of dental floss is also recommended since the toothbrush cannot reach the spaces between the teeth. Careful use once a day is sufficient for most people. The most convenient time to do this is last thing at night.
In addition to this daily care routine, you should visit your dentist regularly, at least twice a year, to avoid being forced to go. Invest in prevention.
The main diseases of the teeth
The most common diseases which attack the teeth are Cavities and Periodontal Diseases.
The former are associated with attacks on the covering of the tooth by bacteria which destroy its protective surface, the enamel. If this continues it may attack the next layer, the dentine and eventually the pulp, leading to pain and requiring fairly significant treatment by the dentist.
Periodontal diseases are related to the accumulation of bacterial plaque and tartar on the teeth, causing infection and bleeding of the gums.
Regular visits to the dentist help to prevent these diseases and conserve your teeth.
Diet
 As well as a daily hygiene routine, diet also plays a decisive role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
As is widely known, diets heavy in sugar and excessive alcohol consumption cause significant damage to teeth.
Carbohydrates can also contribute to the formation of dental cavities, as the bacteria in the mouth which break them down create an acid which attack the teeth's enamel.
At any age, a good program of oral health includes good dietary habits. Foods which form healthy muscles and bones also help to form, develop and maintain strong and healthy teeth and gums. Milk and dairy products - providing calcium and vitamin D. Bread and cereals rich in vitamin B and fruit and vegetables rich in Vitamin C, are essential for healthy gums. Lean meat, poultry, fish and pulses are rich in iron and proteins which are fundamental to general health and magnesium and zinc, essential for teeth and bones.
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