Teeth (chp.4)

• Teeth

  1. Incisor, chisel shape used to cut and bite
  2. Canine, pointed used to tear
  3. Pre-molar, flat + cusped used to grind
  4. Molar, flat + cusped used to grind and crush
• The tooth


  Made form 2 main areas

  1. The crown, above the gum
  2. The root, below the gum
• Tooth structure

  1. Enamel: hard outer covering of the crown
  2. Dentine: bony substance inside the enamel & cement
  3. Cement: outer covering of the root, keeps the tooth in place
  4. Pulp cavity: in the centre of tooth, contains cells & blood vessels
• Tooth decay


  Caused by acid that is produced by bacteria in plaques
• How to prevent tooth decay

  • Brush and floss regularly
  • Avoid sweet food
  • Eat cheese after meals
  • Visit dentist regularly
• Enzyme digestion

  • Starch is made of many glucose molecules bonded together
  • When food enters the mouth, it is mixed with saliva(amylase)
  • Amylase converts the starch in the food to maltose(smaller molecules)
  • The food reaches the small intestine & is mixed with lots of enzymes including maltase
  • Maltase converts all maltose into glucose molecules that can be absorbed by the body