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7.3 Mechanical Digestion
7.3 Mechanical Digestion
3 Mechanical Digestion
1. Identify the types of human teeth (incisors, canines, premolars, molars)
2. Describe the structure of human teeth, limited to enamel, dentine, pulp, nerves
and cement, as well as the gums
3. Describe the functions of the types of human teeth in mechanical digestion of
food
4. State the causes of dental decay in terms of a coating of bacteria and food on
teeth, the bacteria respiring sugars in the food, producing acid which dissolves
the enamel and dentine
5. Describe the proper care of teeth in terms of diet and regular brushing
Cavity contains
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Adult Human:
32
permanent
teeth
16 top & 16
bottom
Children: 20 milk teeth
Half set (8 teeth) = 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars & 3 Molars
Pulp
-
Cavity contains
Tooth producing cells
Blood vessels
Nerve endings
Cement: similar in composition to dentine but without any canals. Helps anchor tooth to
jaw
Gum: usually covers junction between enamel & cement
Periodontal membrane
- Bundles of collage fibers
- Anchoring cement to jawbone. Tooth held firmly but not rigidly
- Contains many nerve endings which detect pressures during chewing & biting
RECALL: Vit C deficiency (Scurvy) = impairs production of collagen fibers, so tooth may
become loose & fall out
State the causes of dental decay in terms of a coating of bacteria and food on teeth, the
bacteria respiring sugars in the food, producing acid which dissolves the enamel and
dentine
1. Bacteria produce sticky matrix
which traps food, form a coating
of plaque
2. Converts sugar to acid
(Respiration of bacteria: Glucose
Lactic acid)
3. Acid removes calcium &
phosphate from enamel,
allowing bacteria to reach dentine
(start of dental decay)
4. When decay penetrates dentin
and reached pulp = severe
toothache
5. When bacteria infect pulp & form abscess at base of tooth = excruciating pain
Treatment: Decayed part drilled out by dentist
Hole is filled with amalgam (an alloy of mercury with another metal) or plastic
Describe the proper care of teeth in terms of diet and regular brushing
Can be prevented by
1) Eating food with low sugar content
2) Regular & effective brushing of teeth, twice a day to prevent build up of plaque
3) Finish a meal with crisp vegetable or fruit & rinse with water
4) Fluoride added to drinking water reduced risk of dental decay