The 32 Most Important Teeth In Your Mouth

While the main function of your teeth is to help you chew and break down food so it can be better digested, there are specific functions that many people don’t know about. Read on to find out how your four types of teeth help you every day.

Incisors: For Biting

Your incisors are your eight front teeth, four on the top and the other four on the bottom. The two teeth in the center are called the central incisors. The teeth on either side of your central incisors are called the lateral incisors.

The main function of the incisors is to bite food. Babies get their incisors when they’re around six months old, and between the ages of six and eight, these baby teeth fall out and the permanent incisors come in.

Canines: For Tearing

The sharp teeth located outside the incisors are called canines. There are four canines altogether, two on the top and the other two on the bottom.

The canines help tear food. Children get canines between the ages of 16 months and 20 months. Permanent lower canines usually come in at nine years old, while permanent upper canines come in between 11 and 12 years of age.

Premolars: For Chewing

Premolars are also referred to as bicuspids, and they help with chewing and tearing food. They’re flat teeth with ridges on top. You have four premolars on each side of your mouth. They become completely developed by around 11 years of age.

Molars: For Grinding

Molars are meant for chewing and grinding food. They also work along with the tongue to make swallowing food easier. You have 12 molars that are in the back of the mouth. Children get them between 12 and 15 months of age.

Before you search for dentists in Studio City, you should understand the functions of different kinds of teeth in your mouth. All of them are important, so if one of them hurts, don’t just ignore it and think you’ll be fine by switching to another tooth to do the first tooth’s job.

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Three Signs of Gum Disease (Or, “When Do I Need a Deep Dental Cleaning?”)

Our natural teeth are meant to last a lifetime. An at-home dental regimen involving twice-daily brushing and flossing is critical to ensuring the long-term health of your teeth and gums. Unfortunately, dietary choices, smoking, and other health conditions may mean that normal flossing and brushing are not enough to protect your mouth—periodontal disease can creep in when you’re not paying attention.

The following are signs of serious gum disease that indicate you may need to talk to your dentist about a deep dental cleaning.

1) Deep Pockets Between Teeth and Gums

In cases of severe gum disease, the gums will recede from the teeth, creating deep pockets. These pockets are a prime hiding place and breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause bad breath, a persistent bad taste in the mouth, and infections leading to tooth loss.

A pocket more than four millimeters deep is a sign of periodontal disease, and requires a deep cleaning.

2) Bone Loss

Gum disease can cause bone loss in the jaw, which can cause teeth to shift or become loose. You may even notice a change in the way your teeth come together when you bite.

Most dentists do X-rays as part of a comprehensive dental examination, and will typically recommend a deep cleaning if there is evidence of bone loss.

3) Inflamed Gums

One of the first signs of periodontal disease is red, tender, swollen gums. You may even notice that your gums bleed whenever you brush your teeth.

While temporary inflammation may be due to a minor irritation, you should visit your dentist if your gums remain swollen for a prolonged period of time.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms in Studio City, CA, contact Studio City Dental Center to schedule your appointment today!

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