Ever feel lost when your dentist speaks? We at Kits Family Dental believe it’s important that you understand what’s going on with your teeth. With that in mind, it’s time to learn some dental vocabulary!
cuspid: Your teeth that come to a point (right next to your front teeth), also known as canines
bicuspids: teeth that come to two points
molar: the back teeth behind your bicuspids
crown: the part of your tooth above the gum (the visible part of your tooth)
root: the part of your tooth in your gums
enamel: the hard surface of your teeth that protects the root of your tooth
gingivae: another name for your gums
pulp: the soft inner structure of your tooth housing nerves and blood vessels
antiseptic: a chemical that can be applied to your mouth to destroy germs
aspirator: a straw-like vacuum the dentist uses to suck all the saliva from your mouth
caries: another name for a cavity
fluoride: a chemical that hardens your teeth and prevents tooth decay
labial and lingual: anything having to do with your lips or tongue, respectively
mandible: your lower jaw
tartar: bacteria on your teeth than can lead to periodontal disease (gum disease!)
plaque: a sticky film that can form on the surface of your teeth that can turn into tartar
Hear any more words you don’t know? Never be afraid to ask us; we’ll be more than happy to explain!
