Teeth Basics

Premolars, also called bicuspids, are teeth located between your canines and your molars. Adults have a total of eight premolars. They have short points for ripping food but also a broad surface for grinding and chewing. Full Answer

Several factors can influence the color of teeth. Stains on the enamel can result from regularly drinking coffee, wine, or cola, or from smoking. In some cases, taking certain antibiotics as a young child can cause your teeth to discolor. Your teeth... Full Answer

Dental pulp is the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. It lies within the tooth and extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the root in the bone of the jaws. Full Answer

Force can damage teeth by breaking dental fillings or damaging the enamel. Different types of oral force include bruxism (grinding your teeth), trauma (an injury to a tooth or a tooth getting knocked out), and the force caused by chewing on ice, hard... Full Answer

Saliva contains the minerals that maintain the integrity of the enamel surface and thus is the major caries preventive agent. Saliva enhances enamel protection by providing high levels of calcium and phosphate ions at the tooth surface. The... Full Answer

If you've had root canal therapy or a root canal, you may have seen an endodontist. Watch Dr. Maria Lopez Howell explain what endodontists do. Full Answer

An oral (maxillofacial) surgeon is a dentist with an extra four to six years of training. These specialists treat injuries and deformities that affect the mouth as well as the jaw and face. Oral surgeons may also treat infections in the head and... Full Answer

The oral cavity, teeth and soft tissues, are part of your entire body. The health of your mouth can have a profound effect on your general health. Oral infections such as dental abscesses, sexually transmitted diseases and periodontal (gum)... Full Answer

If you've ever wondered about the parts of the tooth, watch this video to see Dr. Maria Lopez Howell explain what each part is called and how it functions. Full Answer

A tooth is composed of four dental tissues: enamel, dentin and cementum, which are hard or calcified, and pulp, which is soft or noncalcified. The visible part of the tooth is called the crown. It is made of enamel, an extremely hard, non-living... Full Answer