The Teeth, Diagram, Names, Number, and Conditions

There are 32 teeth in the adult mouth, located in the mandible (lower jawbone) and maxillae (bones of upper jaw). Starting from the front of the mouth, each quadrant of teeth contains 2 incisors, one canine, 2 premolars and 3 molars (the third molars are the ‘wisdom teeth’ as they usually appear when the individual is in their late teens or early twenties, when they are supposedly old enough to have acquired some wisdom!).

Each tooth consists of a crown with one or more cusps (points), a neck and a root. The centre of the tooth is called the ‘pulp cavity’ and houses blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue (called ‘pulp’). The crown of the tooth is covered with enamel. Enamel is an extremely hard, acellular (has no cells) substance which protects the tooth against abrasion and acids produced by bacteria in the mouth.

Foods like milk and cheese are rich in calcium and phosphate and appear to be able to raise pH levels in the mouth, and so reduce tooth exposure to acid. Sugars are commonly associated with dental cavities. Other carbohydrates, especially cooked starches like potato chips, may also damage teeth, although to a much lesser degree. Most foods endanger teeth to some extent. By far the best protection is brushing after meals and snacks.