Which part of a tooth provides a protective cover?

The correct answer is enamel, which serves as the outermost protective layer of a tooth. Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, composed primarily of minerals, primarily hydroxyapatite. This tough structure not only protects the underlying layers of the tooth, such as dentin and pulp, from physical and chemical damage but also plays a crucial role in the overall health of the tooth by acting as a barrier against bacteria and acids that can lead to decay and infection.

Cementum, while it aids in anchoring the tooth to the jawbone and can provide some level of protection to the root surface, does not cover the entirety of the tooth like enamel does. Dentin is the layer beneath the enamel and is less mineralized, making it more susceptible to decay, although it does have protective functions for the pulp. The pulp is the innermost part of the tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels, and while it is crucial for tooth vitality, it does not provide any protective cover on its own.