Digestion in humans

Specific objectives
By the end of this topic students will be able to:
1. Define the following terms: ingestion,digestion, assimilation,egestion,
excretion.
2. Differentiate between chemical and mechanical digestion
3. Describe the role that the teeth play in mechanical digestion
4. Identify the different types of teeth and their functions
5. Draw, label and annotate a simple diagram of the mammalian tooth
6. State the causes of tooth decay
7. Describe the process of tooth decay
8. Outline the ways to care for your teeth
 Digestion in humans
Some key terms to know

1. Ingestion- the intake of food into the alimentary canal

2. Digestion- the process whereby complex organic food substances are
broken down into simplier organic molecules that can be absorbed and used
by the body cells.
3. Assimilation- this is the process by which absorbed food nutrients are used
by the body cells.
4. Egestion- the process by which undigestible food known as roughage is
removed from the body through the anus.
5. Excretion- the process by which metabolic wastes are removed from the
body through the excretory organs.
 Digestion in humans
What is mechanical digestion?

Mechanical digestion is also called physical digestion.Mechanical digestion

involves breaking up large pieces of food into smaller pieces. Mechanical
digestion is carried out mainly by the four types of teeth found in mammals.
Mechanical digestion starts in the mouth. Mechanical digestion is also carried out
by the churning action of the stomach wall. Mechanical digestion also takes place
along the length of the intestine facilitated by a process called peristalsis.
 Digestion in humans
What is chemical digestion?

Chemical digestion involves breaking down large, usually insoluble, food

molecules into small, soluble food molecules by a process called
hydrolysis.Hydrolysis is aided by digestive enzymes. Like mechanical digestion,
chemical digestion begins in the mouth, continues in the stomach and is
completed in the small intestine.
 Digestion in humans
Types of teeth in mammals

Humans have two sets of teeth in their lifetime.These are:

1. Milk teeth (deciduous teeth) during their childhood and

2. Permanent teeth that replace the milk teeth from the age of about six years
onwards.

The human adult is composed of four types of teeth. These are as follows:

1. Incisors-chisel shape for biting

 Digestion in humans
2. Canines- pointed, with no particular function in humans although they help the
incisors bite into food. Also called eye teeth. Can you say why?

3. Premolars- cheek teeth, ridged for grinding.

4. Molars-cheek teeth, ridged for grinding.

 Digestion in humans
Types of teeth in mammals

DIAGRAM SHOWING THE FOUR TYPES OF MAMMALIAN TEETH

 Digestion in humans
Questions to tickle the mind

1. Describe TWO ways in which the teeth of a sheep are different to those
of a human. Give a reason for each difference.

2. Describe TWO ways in which the teeth of a dog are different to those of
a human. Give a reason for each difference.

3. Describe TWO ways in which the teeth of a Cobra snake are different to
those of a human. Give a reason for each difference.
 Digestion in humans
The external features of the teeth

A tooth is divided into two parts;namely the crown and the root. The crown is the
part of the tooth which is above the jaw. While the root is the part of the tooth
which is embedded in the jawbone.

The internal features of the teeth

The internal structure of all teeth is similar and are comprised of the following
parts:

1. Enamel- very hard, white shiny material, 96% mineral salts mainly calcium
phosphate. The enamel is a non-living substance. However, it can be
dissolved by acid produced by bacteria in the mouth.
 Digestion in humans
The teeth

2. Dentine- the main tooth substance,yellow or ivory, bone-like but harder. It is

hard but not so brittle as enamel and running through it are strands of
cytoplasm from cells in the pulp. These cells are able to add more dentine to
the inside of the tooth.
3. Pulp - In the centre of the tooth soft connective tissue called pulp. The pulp
contains small blood vessels, nerve fibres, pain and sensory receptors and
tooth-forming cells. The nerve endings are particularly sensitive to to heat and
cold but produce only the sensation of pain.
4. Cement - this is a thin layer of bone-like material covering the dentine at the
root of the tooth. The cement fixes the tooth in the socket.
 Digestion in humans
5. Bone-membrane- allows slight movement of the tooth in the socket.
DIAGRAM SHOWING THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF A CANINE TOOTH
 Digestion in humans
Care of the teeth

Tooth enamel is very hard. However, it can be dissolved by acids. When you eat
food, especially foods rich in sugar, the remains of food settle on your teeth and in
the spaces between hem. Bacteria in your mouth mix with saliva and collect on
these food remains where they multiply to form plaque. This is because the
bacteria in your mouth turn the sugars into acids which attack the enamel of our
teeth. As the acid accumulates in the teeth the pH decreases. That is, becomes
acidic.
 Digestion in humans
What is plaque?

This is a mixture of saliva, food and bacteria which forms naturally on the teeth.
Bacteria in the plaque produce acids and toxins (poisons) from food, particularly if
the food is sugary.

What are dental caries?

Dental caries are caused by the acid dissolving the enamel and the dentine of the
tooth. This leads to a cavity in the tooth, which may become infected, leading to
toothache.
 Digestion in humans
What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is caused by toxic substances released by bacteria in the

mouth. These cause inflammation of the gum at the point where the tooth and
gum meet. Eventually the gum may pull back from the tooth (receding gum line)
and the tooth may fall out later in life.

What is an inflammation?

This is a swelling of an area that is infected. Blood flow to this area will increase
and white blood cells will come together to remove bacteria and cell debris.
 Prevention of tooth decay
1. Brushing Teeth should be brushed in a circular motion thoroughly after each meal and at
bedtime to remove plaque.

2 Toothpaste Use toothpaste that contains fluoride as this strengthens the enamel and use
and mouthwash after brushing to remove some of the food particles and bacteria that
mouthwash brushing does not always dislodge. Some mouthwashes contain antiseptic that also
protect against plaque.

3 Toothbrush Your toothbrush should be changed every 2-3 months.

4 Dental floss Dental floss remove debris between teeth and is a good way to prevent tooth decay.
We should all use dental floss at least once a day.

5 Disclosing Disclosing tablets can be chewed. These stain the plaque on your teeth so you can
tablets see where to concentrate your brushing and flossing. They are a good check on the
thoroughness of your brushing.

6 Eating habits Eating habits are important in taking care of your teeth. Always try to avoid sugary
foods which bacteria feed on. Also avoid the soft drinks and other juices which
contain acid for their preservation. The acid damages the enamel of the tooth. Do not
eat too often between meals
 Prevention of tooth decay

7. Dentist Dentist check your teeth for any decay. It is important to visit the dentist
regularly to ensure that any problems are resolved before they get too
serious leading to filings or tooth extraction. If your teeth are in good
condition, visits can be every year, but if not then every 6 months is advised
by most dentists.

8 Good practice Use your teeth for what they do best- eating
 Digestion in humans

Prevention of tooth decay

PICTURE SHOWING THE USE OF A DENTAL FLOSS

 Digestion in humans
Prevention of tooth decay

PICTURE SHOWING PLAQUE DISCLOSING TABLETS AT WORK