Between the pulp and
the outside world, two layers stand in the way: the enamel
and dentin. Think of the tooth as the strongest bunker in the
human body.
The pulp is wired into
the body by a series of blood vessels and nerves inside, which helps
you taste hot and cold food and beverage. The only way inside the
pulp or chamber is from the root of the tooth where a pair of small
corridors run along it. This explains the usual pain and bleeding
that often comes with tooth extraction, or when teeth is knocked off
by accident.
Tooth decay-causing
bacteria, however, like to force their way inside the pulp from the
mouth. For this matter, they have to punch through the tough enamel,
which turns out to be the toughest bone in the human body. So when
something eats through the enamel, you know your other bones won't
stand a chance. If ignored, the decay will continue to dig through
the tooth and eventually reach the root.
This is a typical
scenario for a decay that has gone on far too long. At its peak, much
of the affected tooth has been overrun by an abscess, especially the
pulp that houses the blood vessels and nerves. Protecting the inside
of teeth, in this case, also means protecting the outside. Regular
cleaning by a dentist, aside from daily oral hygiene, can do just
that.
