Dental glossary
Dental terms, explained simply
A quick, plain-language guide to the dental words you'll hear at the clinic — what each one means and why it matters. Terms link to trusted references and the treatments they relate to.
- Plaque
- A soft, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. Removed by brushing and flossing; left in place it hardens into tartar and is the main cause of decay and gum disease.
- Tartar (calculus)
- Hardened plaque that has mineralised onto the tooth. It cannot be brushed away and needs a professional scale-and-polish to remove.
- Cavity (tooth decay)
- A hole in the tooth caused by acid from plaque bacteria dissolving the enamel. Caught early it is a simple filling; left alone it can reach the nerve.
- Enamel
- The hard, white outer layer of the tooth and the most mineralised tissue in the body. It protects the softer dentin beneath but cannot regrow once lost.
- Dentin
- The sensitive layer just beneath the enamel. When enamel wears thin or gums recede, exposed dentin is what causes sensitivity to hot, cold and sweet.
- Gingivitis
- Early, reversible gum inflammation caused by plaque. Signs are red, swollen or bleeding gums. Good cleaning usually reverses it before it becomes gum disease.
- Periodontitis (gum disease)
- Advanced gum disease where inflammation reaches the bone supporting the teeth. It is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and needs prompt treatment.
- Root canal
- Treatment that removes infected or damaged pulp from inside a tooth, then cleans and seals it — relieving pain and saving a tooth that would otherwise be lost.
- Crown
- A custom cap that covers a damaged, weak or root-treated tooth to restore its shape and strength. It looks and works like a natural tooth.
- Veneer
- A thin, custom shell bonded to the front of a tooth to improve its colour or shape — a common part of cosmetic dentistry.
- Dental implant
- A small titanium post placed in the jaw to replace a missing tooth's root. It fuses with the bone and supports a crown, bridge or denture.
- Malocclusion
- A misalignment of the teeth or of the way the upper and lower jaws meet — crowding, gaps or a bad bite. It is what orthodontics corrects.
- Fluoride
- A mineral that strengthens enamel and helps reverse very early decay. Used in toothpaste and as a professional treatment, especially for children.
- Dental abscess
- A pocket of infection at the root of a tooth or in the gum, usually causing severe pain and swelling. It needs prompt dental care.
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