Did you know that your teeth start developing before you are born? Although they are not visible, and they don’t start erupting until several months after birth, the tooth buds are already present in your jaw. It was once believed that men had more teeth than women. The truth is that both sexes develop 20 primary teeth, and when permanent teeth come in, they receive 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars and 10 secondary molars, as identified by https://www.colgate.com and outlined below:
- Incisors – the sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth (four upper, four lower) used for cutting food.
- Canines – sometimes called cuspids, these teeth are shaped like points (cusps) and are used for tearing food.
- Premolars – these teeth have two pointed cusps on their biting surface and are sometimes referred to as bicuspids. The premolars are for crushing and tearing.
- Molars – used for grinding, these teeth have several cusps on the biting surface.
Where things get diverse is when it comes to third molars. Often called wisdom teeth because they tend to erupt between the ages of 17 and 21, when a person matures into adulthood and is presumably ‘wiser’ than as a child when the other teeth erupt! Still, about 35% of the population never develop wisdom teeth.
Dr. James Reisman and Dr. Jordana Contrucci at C R Dental Group in Dallas, Texas, believe that the more you know about your teeth, the more likely you are to take care of your oral health. It’s important to brush twice a day and floss once a day and see your dentist at least twice a year. Always let them know of any new concerns you may have. Together you can strive to have a healthy smile for years to come.
