Tooth Basics
An adult typically has this many permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth.
What is 32?
When bacteria consume sugar, they produce this substance that damages enamel.
What is acid?
This type of dental X-ray is commonly used to detect cavities between teeth.
What is a bitewing?
This mineral is added to tap water and toothpaste to strengthen enamel.
What is fluoride?
Baby teeth matter even though they fall out because they guide these into the correct positions.
What are permanent teeth?
This is the hardest substance in the human body, harder than bone.
What is tooth enamel?
This procedure is needed when decay has reached the second layer (detine) of the tooth
What is a filling?
Cavities look dark on X-rays because the area has lost these, letting more X-rays pass through. Dentist call this darker area this.
What is a radiolucency?
Plaque that isn’t brushed away hardens into this.
What is calculus (tartar)?
Gums that bleed repeatedly when you brush may be irritated by this
What are plaque and bacteria?
This animal is famous for large front teeth that never stop growing.
What is a beaver?
This is the most common spot to get a cavity if you DO NOT floss you teeth
What is between the teeth?
Amalgam fillings appear this way on an X-ray because the metals absorb lots of X-rays.
What is very bright white (radiopaque)?
You should brush here to remove plaque that collects in the gums
What is where the teeth meet the gums?
Clicking near the ears when opening your mouth may be linked to this joint.
What is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)?
Incisors and molars have different shapes for this reason
What is serving different functions (biting, grinding,etc.)?
A small cavity can be treated with a filling, but a deeper one that has reached the pulp/nerve of the tooth needs this to heal any infection
What is a root canal?
For a patient who grinds heavily, a strong full-coverage restoration such as a crown is usually better than this weaker, wear-prone material.
What is composite (direct filling)?
A mouthguard in contact sports like hockey does this.
What is protect the teeth and mouth from injury?
A dentist asks you to open and close your mouth to assess this.
What is jaw movement and joint function?
These are the three main layers of a tooth, from the hard outer layer to the nerve-filled centre.
What are enamel, dentin, and pulp?
This procedure is needed if there is not enough tooth structure to support a filling anymore
What is a crown?
If a dentist wants to make you a crown they need to collect this piece of information to ensure your bite is correct?
What is an impression/scan of all your teeth?
This fluid washes away food and helps protect teeth from damage.
What is saliva?
Losing this type of tooth is usually worse for the bite, since these teeth take the most chewing force and neighbours can drift into the gap.
What is a molar?