Which part of the tooth provides protection and support to the dental pulp?

The enamel is the correct choice because it acts as the outermost layer of a tooth, providing significant protection against physical and chemical damage. It is the hardest substance in the human body and protects the softer underlying layers, including dentin and the dental pulp, from decay and trauma.

While dentin does contribute to structural support as it is the layer beneath the enamel, it is not as protective as enamel. Cementum is another layer that covers the roots of teeth and helps anchor them in the jawbone, but it does not play as prominent a role in protecting the dental pulp. Gingiva, or gum tissue, surrounds the teeth and provides a different form of protection, but it does not provide encasement or direct support to the dental pulp itself. Therefore, enamel is the primary protective layer, ensuring the integrity of the inner structures of the tooth, including the vital dental pulp.