LOS ANGELES, BEVERLY HILLS AND SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA–When we think of tooth development, we often think of a baby cutting its first teeth.

But tooth development- known scientifically as odontogenesis- actually begins in the womb.

Anatomy Of A Tooth
Before discussing how teeth develop, it’s important to understand a bit about tooth anatomy and the four major tissues that comprise a tooth, said Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen, who owns a Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, CA orthodontics practice. Those four tissues are - enamel, cementum, dentin and pulp.

The crown of a tooth is covered with enamel- which is the hardest and most concentrated mineralized substance in the body. The cementum is a bony substance that covers a tooth’s root. Dentin is a connective tissue located between the enamel or cementum and the dental pulp chamber that helps support the crown of the tooth.The pulp is located in the center of the tooth and contains soft connective tissue filled with blood vessels and nerves, Nikaeen, beverly hills orthodontist,  said.

How Teeth Develop
Odontogenesis is the process where teeth form from embryonic cells, grow and eventually erupt from the gums. The four stages of tooth development are the bud stage, the cap, the bell and maturation.

Healthy teeth require the proper development of dentin, enamel, periodontium and cementum during the appropriate fetal development stages, said Nikaeen, a Beverly Hills, CA Invisalign provider.

The primary teeth- also commonly called baby teeth- begin to form in the jawbone between six and eight weeks after conception. Permanent teeth start to develop at 20 weeks.

“Teeth must begin to develop at these points of gestation or they will not develop at all,” said the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, CA braces expert.

Teeth are created through a protein matrix mineralization process. Although this process begins in the womb, it actually isn’t completed until late adolescence, when growth of the root structure is completed.

It is interesting to note that a majority of babies are born without their teeth showing, but about one in 2,000 babies has a visible tooth at birth, Nikaeen said.

Requirements for Healthy Tooth Development
The mother plays a significant role in the development of her baby’s teeth. Having a healthy diet and proper nutrition helps ensure that the baby receives the minerals and nutrients it needs to develop healthy teeth.

Women who suffer from severe nutrient deficiencies during their pregnancy increase the likelihood that their baby will be born with dental malformations or that they will be more susceptible to tooth decay as they mature, according to information posted by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.

Healthy tooth development and maintenance requires a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin C is necessary because dentin contains a protein called collagen, and collagen needs  vitamin C for normal synthesis, according to the ADHA article. Vitamin A is needed so that tooth enamel can form. The enamel contains keratin, another type of protein, and vitamin A is necessary for keratin to form.

Vitamin D is essential to the process by which phosphorus and calcium are deposited into crystals of hydroxyapatite, which is the structural matrix of teeth, as well as bones, the article stated.

Fluoride, calcium and phosphorous are incorporated into the tooth’s mineralized structure during development to form fluorapatite. This is a compound that is more resistant to erosion than hydroxyapatite. After tooth eruption occurs, fluoride no longer is involved systemically in forming teeth.

Keeping A Mother’s Teeth And Gums Healthy
A mother’s decay-causing bacteria can be transmitted to her child, so it is important to have maternal teeth free of decay before the birth, Nikaeen, beverly hills invisible braces,  said.
The decay process begins with plaque, an invisible sticky layer of harmful bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria convert sugar that remains in the mouth to an acid that attacks tooth enamel.

Plaque that is not removed can irritate the gums, making them red, tender and likely to bleed easily. High progesterone levels are known to be responsible for puffy, tender gingival tissue.

The American Dental Association believes that poor periodontal health in the mother may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes including premature delivery and low birth weight of the baby.

Learn More
Next month’s article will discuss tooth development in children between birth and age 3. If you would like to learn more about tooth development in children or you would like more information on Beverly Hills, CA beverly hills lingual braces expert Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen, please  visit her Web site:  http://www.invisibraces.com/ or call her office for a free consultation: (310) 444-1113.

About Dr. Atoosa Nikaeen
Dr. Nikaeen graduated with honors from dental school in 1993 and received a doctorate in dental surgery (DDS). She gained experience practicing general dentistry for several years before attending Columbia University School of Dentistry and Oral Surgeons in New York, where she earned her post-doctoral education in orthodontics and received an orthodontic specialty certificate.

In addition to running her practice, Dr. Nikaeen is a faculty member at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) Orthodontic Department and teaches orthodontic residents.

Dr. Nikaeen’s Los Angeles practice serves patients throughout Southern California, including Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.

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