Teeth & Salivary Glands

Teeth & Salivary Glands

1. Teeth

   • 20 deciduous (baby) teeth
   • 32 adult teeth embedded in the maxilla and mandible
     • 4 incisors per jaw
     • 2 cuspids (canines) per jaw
     • 4 bicuspids per jaw
     • 6 molars per jaw
   • Diseases
     • Caries occur when bacteria break down sugars and produce acids that erode the enamel
     • Gum diseases are more likely as we age
       • gingivitis and periodontitis
   • Tooth Structure
     • Crown – layers of enamel, dentin, and pulp
     • Root – layers of cementum, dentin, and pulp

2. Salivary Glands

   • Parotid
   • Saliva – solution of mucus and water
     • Salivary amylase – begins the process of digesting carbohydrates
     • Moistens food and prepares it for swallowing
     • Antibacterial lysozyme and secretory antibodies
   • Sublingual
   • Submandibular