The Importance of Knowing Your Teeth by Number
Know your teeth by number? If not, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people don’t know what the numbers on their teeth actually refer to, and instead of asking their dentist or hygienist (who probably aren’t aware either), they simply avoid going to the dentist altogether out of fear that they’ll be shamed for their lack of knowledge about dental health, which puts them at risk of losing more teeth in the future.
What makes it complicated
It’s commonly known that there are 28 total teeth in your mouth, but did you know they’re arranged into four different categories? With so many terms and distinctions, it can be tough to keep track of what makes up a full set of choppers—but it’s important to know, especially if you’re getting braces or other orthodontic treatment. There are four major categories of teeth: primary (or deciduous) teeth, permanent (or adult) teeth, wisdom teeth and third molars. Primary teeth are what most people refer to as baby teeth—the two sets that erupt around ages 6 months and 2 years. These will eventually be replaced by permanent ones when children transition into adulthood around age 12 or 13.
What to do if you don’t have all of your wisdom teeth
If you don’t have all four wisdom teeth, it’s not uncommon to get them removed. They could be impacted (meaning they can’t erupt through your gums), infected or damaged by a sports injury. Even if you do have all four wisdom teeth, there are cases where you may need to get one or more removed for various reasons, such as if one is causing problems for another tooth or if there isn’t enough room in your mouth for all four. If you find yourself needing one or more wisdom teeth removed and your dentist says it won’t be possible to replace them with implants (which is becoming increasingly common), that’s OK—you can still live a happy life without natural teeth in place of any missing ones!
How to keep track of where yours are
It can be hard to know where your teeth are, what they’re doing, and how they fit into your bite. To help you stay on top of things, schedule regular visits with an orthodontist (typically about once a year), so he or she can take X-rays and photos of your teeth. In between appointments, you can use mirrors to view your teeth from every angle and even snap pics. Looking at pictures regularly will help you track their progress. Which is essential for staying on track when things start to get tricky! With a little attention, along with expert guidance from an orthodontist, you’ll have straighter teeth than ever before.
How and when to clean them
Between brushing your teeth and flossing, you’re already doing a lot to maintain your dental health. Still, because plaque buildup happens so gradually. You might not notice how far into decay you are until it’s too late. When toothache or gum pain starts setting in. We’d like to emphasize that having healthy teeth goes way beyond basic hygiene: it’s important to schedule regular checkups with your best orthodontists near me at least once a year (if not more often) to ensure that plaque is being removed before it becomes an issue. If you’re looking for treatment options including traditional braces or aligners. And less noticeable alternatives like Invisalign—the professionals at our partner practices can help get you started with their no-obligation consultations.
How do I take care of my wisdom teeth as an adult?
Wisdom teeth are one of those parts of our body that don’t always get talked about. In fact, a lot of people do not even know. What wisdom teeth are or how to take care of them when they become adult teeth. Here is a quick guide for taking care and knowing your wisdom teeth.
