Dentistry Vocabulary in English
20 essential dentistry words with definitions and example sentences — teeth, treatments, and dental health terms for B1–B2 ESL learners.
Dentistry vocabulary is something almost everyone needs at some point — whether you are booking an appointment, describing toothache, or understanding what a dentist recommends. Knowing words like cavity, filling, and extraction helps you explain a problem clearly and follow treatment advice with confidence. For B1 and B2 learners, this practical health vocabulary is genuinely useful in real life.
This page covers 20 key dentistry words used in everyday and professional English, from the parts of a tooth to common treatments and conditions. These terms appear in dental surgeries, health leaflets, and conversations about looking after your teeth. Understanding them will help you communicate clearly with a dentist or hygienist and make sense of advice about oral health.
Unlike our broader Medicine vocabulary and Health vocabulary pages, this list focuses specifically on teeth and dental care. Mastering these words will give you the confidence to describe symptoms, ask questions, and understand what happens during a dental visit.
Word List
| Word / Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| cavity | a hole in a tooth caused by decay | The dentist found a small cavity in one of my back teeth. |
| filling | a material used to fill and repair a cavity in a tooth | She had a filling put in to repair the damaged tooth. |
| crown | an artificial cap that covers and protects a damaged or weakened tooth | After the root canal, he needed a crown to strengthen the tooth. |
| enamel | the hard, protective outer surface of a tooth | Acidic drinks can gradually wear away tooth enamel. |
| plaque | a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth | Brushing twice a day helps remove plaque from your teeth. |
| gum | the firm pink tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth | Healthy gums should be pink and firm, not red or swollen. |
| molar | one of the large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food | The molars do most of the work when you chew. |
| incisor | one of the sharp front teeth used for cutting and biting food | You use your incisors to bite into an apple. |
| root canal | a treatment to remove infected tissue from inside a tooth, or the canal itself within the root | A root canal saved the tooth that would otherwise have been removed. |
| extraction | the removal of a tooth from its socket by a dentist | The wisdom tooth was so badly impacted that an extraction was necessary. |
| braces | a wire device fitted to the teeth to straighten them over time | She wore braces for two years to correct her crooked teeth. |
| decay | the gradual breaking down of a tooth caused by bacteria and acid | Eating too much sugar can speed up tooth decay. |
| hygienist | a dental professional who cleans teeth and gives advice on oral health | The hygienist showed me how to floss correctly. |
| anaesthetic | a substance that prevents pain, often injected before dental treatment | The dentist gave me a local anaesthetic before drilling the tooth. |
| abscess | a painful swelling containing pus, usually caused by a bacterial infection in or around a tooth | An abscess can cause severe pain and needs treating quickly. |
| denture | a removable replacement for missing teeth, often a full or partial set | My grandfather takes his dentures out at night. |
| fluoride | a mineral added to toothpaste and water that helps strengthen enamel and prevent decay | Most toothpaste contains fluoride to protect against cavities. |
| orthodontics | the branch of dentistry concerned with correcting the position of teeth and jaws | She is training in orthodontics to specialise in straightening teeth. |
| gingivitis | inflammation of the gums, an early stage of gum disease | Bleeding gums when brushing can be a sign of gingivitis. |
| veneer | a thin cover bonded to the front of a tooth to improve its appearance | He had veneers fitted to close the small gaps between his teeth. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cavity?
A cavity is a hole in a tooth caused by decay. It forms when bacteria in the mouth produce acid that gradually breaks down the hard surface of the tooth. In the early stages a cavity may cause no pain at all, which is why regular check-ups are important — a dentist can spot one before it grows. Left untreated, a cavity can reach the sensitive inner layers of the tooth and cause toothache. The usual treatment is to clean out the decay and put in a filling.
What is the difference between a filling and a crown?
Both repair a damaged tooth, but they are used in different situations. A filling is a material packed into a small or medium hole to replace decayed tooth and restore its shape. A crown is a cap that covers the whole top of a tooth that is too damaged or weak for a simple filling — for example, after a root canal or a large break. In short, a filling fixes part of a tooth, while a crown covers and protects the entire visible part of it.
What is enamel?
Enamel is the hard, glossy outer layer that protects each tooth. It is the hardest substance in the human body, even harder than bone, and it shields the softer inner parts of the tooth from damage and decay. However, enamel can be worn away by acid from sugary or acidic foods and drinks, and once it is gone it does not grow back. This is why dentists recommend fluoride toothpaste and limiting acidic drinks — to keep the enamel strong and protect the teeth beneath it.
What is the difference between plaque and decay?
Plaque and decay are linked but not the same. Plaque is the soft, sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth, especially near the gum line. If it is not removed by brushing, the bacteria in plaque produce acid that attacks the enamel. Decay is the result of that process — the gradual breaking down of the tooth itself, which can lead to a cavity. In short, plaque is the cause, and decay is the damage it produces over time. Good brushing removes plaque before it can cause decay.
What is the difference between a molar and an incisor?
These are two different types of teeth with different jobs. Incisors are the sharp, flat front teeth used for cutting and biting — for example, when you bite into an apple. Molars are the large, broad teeth at the back of the mouth used for grinding and chewing food before you swallow. Adults usually have eight incisors at the front and twelve molars at the back, including the wisdom teeth. Remembering the job of each helps: incisors cut, molars crush.
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a treatment used to save a tooth whose inner tissue, called the pulp, has become infected or badly inflamed. The dentist removes the infected tissue from inside the tooth and its roots, cleans the space, and seals it. The tooth is often then covered with a crown to make it strong again. The phrase also refers to the actual canal inside the root of the tooth. Although root canals have a reputation for being painful, modern anaesthetic makes the treatment much more comfortable than people expect.
What is an extraction?
An extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jaw. A dentist may need to extract a tooth that is too badly decayed or damaged to repair, that is causing crowding, or that is impacted, like a wisdom tooth growing at the wrong angle. The dentist usually numbs the area with a local anaesthetic first, so the procedure is not painful at the time, though the area may be sore afterwards. The verb form is extract: "The dentist had to extract the tooth."
What do braces and orthodontics do?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that corrects the position of teeth and jaws, and braces are one of its main tools. Braces are wires and small brackets fitted to the teeth that apply gentle, steady pressure to move them into a straighter position over months or years. An orthodontist is a dentist who specialises in this field. People have orthodontic treatment to fix crooked or crowded teeth, close gaps, or correct the way the upper and lower teeth meet, which can improve both appearance and function.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and the earliest stage of gum disease. It is usually caused by a build-up of plaque along the gum line. The typical signs are red, swollen gums that may bleed when you brush or floss. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible: with better brushing, flossing, and a professional clean from a hygienist, the gums can return to health. If it is ignored, however, gingivitis can develop into a more serious form of gum disease that damages the tissue and bone supporting the teeth.
What is the best way to learn dentistry vocabulary?
The most effective approach is to connect each word to a real situation you might face at the dentist. Imagine describing a problem — "I think I have a cavity" or "my gums bleed when I brush" — and practise the words in full sentences. Group related terms together, such as the parts of a tooth (enamel, gum, root) and the treatments (filling, crown, extraction). Use the Flash Cards on LexFizz to drill the 20 words on this page, then read a short dental health leaflet in English to see them in context.