Your teeth do far more than help you smile – each one is a small, surprisingly complex structure built to handle a lifetime of biting and chewing. Understanding the basic anatomy of a tooth makes it much easier to look after your teeth and to understand what your dentist is talking about. Here is a clear guide to the parts of a tooth and what each one does.

The two main parts of a tooth

Every tooth has two regions: the crown, which is the part you can see above the gum, and the root, which anchors the tooth into the jawbone beneath the gum. In a healthy mouth, roughly a third of the tooth is visible, while the rest is below the surface holding everything firmly in place.

What do tooth roots do?

The roots are the foundations of your teeth. They sit in sockets in the jawbone and are held in place by a network of tiny fibres called the periodontal ligament, which cushions the tooth against the forces of chewing. Front teeth usually have a single root, while the larger back teeth – the molars – often have two or three roots to cope with the heavier load of grinding food. Healthy roots, and the bone around them, are essential to keeping teeth stable for life, which is why gum health matters so much.

The layers of a tooth

• Enamel – the hard, white outer layer of the crown. It is the toughest substance in the body, but it cannot repair itself once damaged, so protecting it is key.
• Dentine – a softer, sensitive layer beneath the enamel that makes up the bulk of the tooth. It carries sensations through to the nerve.
• Pulp – the soft core at the centre, containing the nerve and blood vessels.
• Cementum – a thin layer covering the root that helps attach it to the surrounding ligament and bone.

Why do teeth have nerves?

The nerve sits within the pulp at the centre of the tooth. Its main job is to act as a warning system: it lets you feel temperature, pressure and pain, alerting you to problems such as decay, a crack or infection before they become serious. The nerve also supplies the developing tooth as it forms. Interestingly, a fully grown tooth can survive without its nerve – which is exactly what happens after root canal treatment, when an infected nerve is removed but the tooth itself is saved.

What about the back of the teeth?

The back surfaces of your teeth – and the back teeth themselves – are among the most commonly neglected areas when brushing. The inside surfaces of the lower front teeth are a favourite spot for tartar, and the chewing surfaces of the molars have grooves that trap food and plaque. Angling your brush to reach behind your front teeth, and taking the time to clean the molars thoroughly, makes a real difference to your long-term dental health.

Looking after every part of your tooth

Healthy teeth depend on looking after all of these structures – the enamel on the surface, the gums and bone around the roots, and the nerve at the core. The best protection is simple: brush twice a day, clean between your teeth daily, and visit us regularly so any problems are caught early.

Questions about your teeth?

For more on how your teeth are built, see our tooth anatomy FAQ, or call Heathwood Dental Practice in Crowthorne on 01344 776933 to book a check-up.