Teeth
Here are some terms you should revise.
Each of these terms comes with a brief explanation.
I have grouped them into different parts of science that you study.
Today we are going to look at Teeth.
Teeth are really important and should be looked after (if you want to keep them). You can look after your teeth by doing the following 3 things:
1. Visit your dentist regularly.
2. Brush your teeth properly twice a day and floss.
3. Don't eat too many sugary foods or drinks.
You will have two sets of teeth in your lifetime. Your first set are often called milk teeth. These teeth fall out from around the age of 7 or 8 and are replaced with adult teeth.
Adults have 32 teeth. Your gums support all your teeth.
These teeth are grouped into 4
types. Each type of tooth does a different task.
Here are the four types with what they do:
Incisors CUT
Canines TEAR
Pre-molars CHEW
Molars CHEW
(Sounds like a train: cut, tear, chew chew).
After eating, your teeth will be attacked by bacteria.
These bacteria build up and coat the teeth in a white substance. This substance is called
plaque.
Plaque attacks the white visible part of the teeth called enamel.
If you get a hole (cavity) in the enamel you will need to go to the dentist and have a filling.
That is about it for now. Here is a table to see what you can remember. See if
you can complete it.
|
Brief description |
Extra information |
|
| Canines | ||
| Cavity | ||
| Decay | ||
| Dentist | ||
| Enamel | ||
| Gums | ||
| Gum disease | ||
| Incisors | ||
| Milk teeth | ||
| Molars | ||
| Plaque | ||
| Pre-molars | ||
| Roots | ||
| False teeth |
|
Brief description |
Extra information |
|
| Canines | Teeth that TEAR food. | Adults have 4 of these |
| Cavity | A hole in your tooth, normally needs filling. | Often caused by plaque |
| Decay | Damage to the enamel of the teeth. | Often caused by plaque |
| Dentist | A person who helps to keep our teeth and gums healthy. | You should visit regularly |
| Enamel | Hard white substance that you see on the teeth. | Holes in enamel have to be filled |
| Gums | These support our teeth | |
| Gum disease | A disease that makes the gums pull away from the teeth. | Can be stopped by regular brushing and flossing |
| Incisors | Teeth at the front of the mouth that CUT food. | Adults have 8 of these. |
| Milk teeth | These are replaced by adult teeth as you grow | |
| Molars | The real chewing teeth. | Molars are wide and flat to help grind food up |
| Plaque | A build-up of bacteria that attack and destroy enamel on teeth. | White sticky substance. This needs to be brushed off or it builds up |
| Pre-molars | Teeth near the back of the mouth that help to chew food | |
| Roots | The roots are the nerves in the teeth | |
| False teeth | What you get when you are older if you don't brush, floss and look after your teeth! |
Well, how did you do?
That wasn't too bad was it?
Good luck and keep smiling!