What does "dento-" refer to in medical terms?

The prefix "dento-" specifically relates to teeth in medical terminology. It is derived from the Latin word "dens," which means tooth. This prefix is commonly used in various terms related to dental health and procedures, such as "dentist," "dental," or "dentifrice," which all pertain to the care, health, or hygiene of teeth. Understanding the root meaning of prefixes like "dento-" can help in identifying and interpreting medical terms related to oral health effectively. The other options refer to related but distinct components of oral anatomy; for instance, "gums" would relate to periodontal terms without the same focus on teeth specifically, while "jaws" pertains to the bony structures that hold the teeth, and the "oral cavity" refers to the entire area of the mouth. The specificity of "dento-" to teeth is what makes it the accurate choice.