Sources: American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2009 Update; CDC, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Addressing the Nation's Leading Killers, At A Glance, 2011. Heart disease and stroke are the first and fourth leading causes of death in the United States.
Your teeth are composed of four dental tissues. Three of themâenamel, dentin and cementumâare hard tissues. The fourth tissueâpulp, or the center of the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissueâis a soft, or non-calcified, tissue.
Cavities: Holes or structural damage in the two outer layers of a tooth called the enamel and the dentin. The enamel is the outermost white hard surface and the dentin is the yellow layer just beneath enamel. Both layers serve to protect the inner living tooth tissue called the pulp, where blood vessels and nerves reside. Cavities are caused by bacteria in the mouth. Small cavities may not cause pain, and may be unnoticed by the patient. Larger cavities can collect food, and the inner pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by bacterial toxins, foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet - causing toothache.