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Teeth

Teeth

The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...

Tooth Anatomy

Tooth Anatomy

The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.

Assessment of the Mouth

Assessment of the Mouth

A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.

The Oral Microbiota

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...

Development of the Oral Microbiota

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Method of Studying Palatal Fusion using Static Organ Culture

Method of Studying Palatal Fusion using Static Organ Culture

Published on: September 19, 2015

Tooth Fairy Study- The South Texas Oral Health Network Collaboration.

Rahma Mungia¹, Melanie V Taverna¹, Elisabeth de La Rosa²

¹Department of Periodontics- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Texas Dental Journal

|June 4, 2021

Summary

Dental practitioners can help identify environmental health risks in children by participating in research. This study increased their confidence in educating patients about toxicants in teeth and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Keywords:

Collaboration Deciduous Teeth Environmental Exposure Neurodevelopmental Disorder Practice- Based Research

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Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

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Published on: February 14, 2020

Area of Science:

Environmental Health
Pediatric Dentistry
Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

Environmental chemicals are potential risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Provider awareness of environmental exposure risks in South Texas is low, necessitating increased knowledge and communication with patients.
The South Texas Oral Health Network (STOHN) facilitates patient reach and practitioner engagement in national health studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine dental practitioners' processes and potential for addressing environmental health exposure risks in patients via practice-based research.
To investigate toxicants in deciduous teeth as a potential neurodevelopmental risk factor through collaboration with The Tooth Fairy National Study.

Main Methods:

Recruited ten dental practitioners and aimed to enroll twenty parents with children.
Provided training on neurodevelopmental disorders, environmental health exposures, patient engagement, and tooth collection.
Collected donated teeth, demographic, and health information for The Tooth Fairy Study repository.

Main Results:

Evaluated practitioner enrollment, retention, and confidence in educating patients about environmental risks.
Assessed the completion of surveys and the collection of donated teeth from participants.
The collaboration successfully gathered data while engaging practitioners in research.

Conclusions:

Interdisciplinary collaboration increased dental practitioners' knowledge and awareness of environmental exposure risks.
Practitioner confidence and willingness to educate patients about potential environmental health concerns were enhanced.
This initiative demonstrated a viable model for integrating environmental health research into dental practice.