GLOSSARY
amalgam (silver filling): dental material used to repair cavities
bacteria: microorganisms commonly referred to as “germs” capable of producing disease under the right conditions
bruxism: habitual grinding and clenching of teeth, often unintentionally
carbohydrates: sugars and starches found in many foods
caries (dental caries): infectious disease process leading to tooth decay
cariogenic: decay-causing
cavity (carious lesion): hollow area or hole in the tooth caused by bacterial acids that attack the enamel
crown: the part of the tooth above the gumline; also a restorative “cap” that covers a cracked or broken tooth, unfixed by a filling
debris: soft foreign matter attached loosely to tooth
deciduous teeth: see primary teeth
demineralization: loss of mineral from tooth enamel during early stages of caries; may appear as a small white area on tooth surface
dental home: a dentist who provides primary, preventive, and maintenance oral health services to an individual on a periodic basis
dental pulp: soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue
dental sealant: thin, plastic film that is painted on chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars and premolars) to prevent tooth decay
Early childhood caries: in an infant or child up to age 6, the presence of one or more decayed teeth, missing teeth (resulting from caries), or filled tooth surfaces
enamel: hard, glossy, white material that covers the outside of the tooth
eruption: when a tooth emerges from the gums
fissure: anatomic groove in the surface of a tooth
fluoridation: addition of fluoride to community water systems
fluoride: mineral that can be found in water and toothpaste that helps prevent and reduce tooth decay
fluoride varnish: lacquer containing 5 percent sodium fluoride that is painted on teeth to reduce tooth decay
fluorosis: condition that results from consuming excessive fluoride; causes teeth to become discolored and the enamel of the teeth to look spotted, pitted, or stained
halitosis: bad breath
hard palate: roof of the mouth
incisors: teeth adapted for cutting or gnawing, located at the front of the mouth
malocclusion (“bad bite”): teeth that fit together poorly as a result of crowded, missing, or crooked teeth; extra teeth; or a misaligned jaw
molars: large, broad teeth at the back of the mouth used for crushing and grinding food
occlusion (“bite”): way teeth fit together when jaws are closed
overbite: up-and-down (vertical) overlapping of lower teeth by upper teeth
periodontal disease: bacterial infection of supporting structures of the teeth (gums, bones, and ligaments) which, if left untreated, can destroy the support of the teeth in their sockets, thus causing tooth loss
permanent teeth (adult teeth): second set of teeth (32 in number) that come into the mouth after the loss of the primary teeth
pit: small developmental indentation in the crown of the tooth
plaque: thin, colorless, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth; main cause of caries and periodontal disease when allowed to remain on teeth over a period of time
primary teeth (deciduous teeth): first set of teeth (20 in number) that come into the mouth, usually when an infant is around ages 6 to 10 months
remineralization: replacement of minerals into the tooth’s enamel; reversal of demineralization and thus of the decay process
saliva: watery secretions of glands of the mouth
Streptococcus mutans: type of bacteria commonly found in the mouth, associated with caries
tooth decay: see caries