A Few Essential Facts about Teeth

In order to have a clear understanding of what it takes to maintain a healthy dental program, it can help to know a few things about teeth in general, such as when we can expect our first few teeth to fall out, what it means to have wisdom teeth removed or perhaps the types of teeth we have in general. One obvious fact is that teeth are an incredibly important part of the digestive process, giving us the ability to bite down on and chew food. Here are some interesting facts and figures related to teeth that might help you in your quest for excellent oral health.

What Are Teeth Made Of?

Teeth are made up of three specific parts; the crown, the enamel, the dentine and finally the pulp. The crown is what you can see above the gum and it is protected by the hardest substance found in the entire human body, the enamel. The enamels job is to protect the sensitive parts of the tooth found underneath. Further inside the tooth is the dentine, which is a hard, yet sensitive part of the tooth shielding the nerve endings and blood supply in the pulp. The blood supply is what keeps the tooth going, whilst the nerve endings send messages to the brain that may relate to the temperature of the food you’re eating, or perhaps if you have a damaged or decaying tooth.

The Different Types of Teeth

We all have four different types of teeth, each serving a different purpose:

- The Canines

The canine teeth are sharp and pointed, providing us with the ability to tear food apart and break it up into smaller parts. They are found on either side of your incisors, with two at the top of the jaw and two others below, equalling four in total.

- The Incisors

The incisors are the four front teeth found at the front of your jaw, both at the top and the bottom. We use our incisors to chop food.  

- The Premolars

You have eight premolars in total and they are found on either side of your canines. They are also known as bicuspid teeth. They are larger than both your incisors and canines in width and size and we use them to crush and grind our food.

- The Molars

Your molars are the strongest teeth, as they assist your tongue in swallowing your food. They carry out the final grinding process on food to ensure it is safe to swallow.

Milk Teeth and Adult Teeth

Baby teeth start to appear between the ages of 6 and 12 months, although they are always there even before you are born. Once you reach the age of three, you should have a full set of 20 milk teeth. Adult teeth will begin to show up once the milk teeth begin to fall out, which is usually around the age of 5 or 6. The final 32 adult teeth are usually complete around the ages of 12 and 13. Wisdom teeth arrive later than others, often between the ages of 17 and 21.

Mike James is a regular visitor to a Dental Healthcare Practice to ensure the highest levels possible of dental hygiene are maintained to help prevent any future problems in his teeth and gums.