Mastery Model 7.

3 Mechanical Digestion
1. Identify the types of human teeth (incisors, canines, premolars, molars)
2. Describe the structure of human teeth, limited to enamel, dentine, pulp, nerves
and cement, as well as the gums
3. Describe the functions of the types of human teeth in mechanical digestion of
food
4. State the causes of dental decay in terms of a coating of bacteria and food on
teeth, the bacteria respiring sugars in the food, producing acid which dissolves
the enamel and dentine
5. Describe the proper care of teeth in terms of diet and regular brushing

Mastication = cutting & mixing (chewing)

- Will produce a ball of food called __________
3 Different Types of Teeth
________________ = for cutting & biting
________________ = for holding & cutting
________________ = for chewing & crushing
________________ = Crushing & Grinding
Adult Human:
32
permanent
teeth
16 top & 16
bottom
Children: 20 milk teeth
Half set (8 teeth) = 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars & 3 Molars

Human teeth + Function

___________ the
_____________________ in the body
Produced by tooth-forming
cells & made of calcium salts
Once formed, enamel
_________________ or extended
________ forms the major part of the
tooth
Harder than bone and made of
calcium salts deposited on a
framework of collagen fibers
_______________________________
_____ which extends to the pulp
cavity
Pulp
-

Cavity contains
______________________
______________________
______________________

Cement: similar in composition to dentine but ______________ any canals. Helps

_________________ to jaw
Gum: usually covers junction between enamel & cement
Periodontal membrane
- Bundles of __________________
- Anchoring cement to jawbone. Tooth held firmly but not rigidly
- Contains many ____________________ which detect pressures during chewing &
biting
RECALL: Vit C deficiency (Scurvy) = impairs production of collagen fibers, so tooth may
become loose & fall out
State the causes of dental decay in terms of a coating of bacteria and food on teeth, the
bacteria respiring sugars in the food, producing acid which dissolves the enamel and
dentine

1. Bacteria produce sticky matrix

which _________ ________, form a
coating of _____________
2. Converts sugar to acid
(Respiration of bacteria: Glucose
________________)
3. Acid
______________________________
from enamel, allowing bacteria
to reach dentine (start of dental
decay)
4. When decay penetrates dentin
and reached pulp = severe
toothache
5. When bacteria infect pulp & form ________________ at base of tooth = excruciating
pain
Treatment: Decayed part drilled out by dentist
Hole is filled with _________________ (an alloy of mercury with another metal) or plastic
Describe the proper care of teeth in terms of diet and regular brushing
Can be prevented by
1) _________________________________________
2) Regular & effective _________________________, twice a day to prevent build up of
plaque
3) Finish a meal with crisp vegetable or fruit & rinse with water
4) _______________________ added to drinking water reduced risk of dental decay

Mastery Model 7.3 Mechanical Digestion

1. Identify the types of human teeth (incisors, canines, premolars, molars)
2. Describe the structure of human teeth, limited to enamel, dentine, pulp, nerves
and cement, as well as the gums
3. Describe the functions of the types of human teeth in mechanical digestion of
food
4. State the causes of dental decay in terms of a coating of bacteria and food on
teeth, the bacteria respiring sugars in the food, producing acid which dissolves
the enamel and dentine
5. Describe the proper care of teeth in terms of diet and regular brushing

Mastication = cutting & mixing (chewing)

- Will produce a ball of food called bolus
3 Different Types of Teeth
Incisors = for cutting & biting
Canine = for holding & cutting
Premolars = for chewing & crushing
Molars = Crushing & Grinding

Adult Human:
32
permanent
teeth
16 top & 16
bottom
Children: 20 milk teeth
Half set (8 teeth) = 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars & 3 Molars

Human teeth + Function

Enamel the hardest tissue in the
body
Produced by tooth-forming
cells & made of calcium salts
Once formed, enamel cannot
be renewed or extended
Dentine forms the major part of
the tooth
Harder than bone and made of
calcium salts deposited on a
framework of collagen fibres
Contains a series of very fine
canals which extends to the
pulp cavity

Pulp
-

Cavity contains
Tooth producing cells
Blood vessels
Nerve endings

Cement: similar in composition to dentine but without any canals. Helps anchor tooth to
jaw
Gum: usually covers junction between enamel & cement
Periodontal membrane
- Bundles of collage fibers
- Anchoring cement to jawbone. Tooth held firmly but not rigidly
- Contains many nerve endings which detect pressures during chewing & biting
RECALL: Vit C deficiency (Scurvy) = impairs production of collagen fibers, so tooth may
become loose & fall out
State the causes of dental decay in terms of a coating of bacteria and food on teeth, the
bacteria respiring sugars in the food, producing acid which dissolves the enamel and
dentine
1. Bacteria produce sticky matrix
which traps food, form a coating
of plaque
2. Converts sugar to acid
(Respiration of bacteria: Glucose
Lactic acid)
3. Acid removes calcium &
phosphate from enamel,
allowing bacteria to reach dentine
(start of dental decay)
4. When decay penetrates dentin
and reached pulp = severe
toothache
5. When bacteria infect pulp & form abscess at base of tooth = excruciating pain
Treatment: Decayed part drilled out by dentist
Hole is filled with amalgam (an alloy of mercury with another metal) or plastic
Describe the proper care of teeth in terms of diet and regular brushing
Can be prevented by
1) Eating food with low sugar content
2) Regular & effective brushing of teeth, twice a day to prevent build up of plaque
3) Finish a meal with crisp vegetable or fruit & rinse with water
4) Fluoride added to drinking water reduced risk of dental decay