Can you name every type of tooth in your mouth? Do you know how many of each tooth you have or what your teeth do?
Generally, every mouth has four types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Children typically have twenty primary teeth while adults usually have thirty-two. As you probably know, each type of tooth serves different functions. For instance, incisors are used for cutting food. Cuspids, which are also known as canines, are used for tearing and grasping. Premolars are used for crushing and tearing food, while molars are used for grinding and chewing.
Naturally, this information can be useful, but knowing what could happen if your teeth are damaged could be considered more important. If your teeth break or are worn down, your bite could become unbalanced. If this happens, you may experience tooth pain, severe headaches, sensitive teeth, and even ear problems. Similarly, if this happens to you, you could also be more vulnerable to tooth decay.
Similarly, it can be important to understand a tooth’s structure. Consisting of three portions, the crown is the visible part of the tooth and the root is the portion that moves through your gums and into the bone. Between the two is a tooth’s neck. If the center of your crown is injured, you could have to deal with tooth discoloration or need root canal therapy.
If you would like to learn more about how you can care for your pearly white, please don’t hesitate to contact Midtown Dental at 919-847-8074. Dr. Rumley, Dr. Maness, Dr. Prajapati and our team are excited to hear from you.