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Tooth Basics

 

Your teeth are important for a variety of reasons – they help you cut and mash food, they help you speak and pronounce words, they hold your tongue and cheeks in position and they can make you look beautiful when you smile! But have you ever wondered why they are different shapes and sizes? Read on to discover more about your teeth or you can ask one of our dentists in Mesquite, Dallas, or Fort Worth to answer any questions you may have.

Parts of a Tooth

Enamel is the outer layer of the tooth. It consists of a strong dense, white protective coating.
Dentin is the middle part of the tooth that is yellow in color and is softer than the enamel.
Pulp is the center of the tooth and supplies blood and contains the nerve.

 
Type of Baby Teeth (Primary Teeth)

Incisors are the teeth in front of the mouth, closest to the lips. They bite into food and cut it.
Cuspids (canines) are located next to the incisors. They rip and tear food.
Molars are the teeth in the back of your mouth. They are the closest to the throat and they grind and crush food

Types of Permanent Teeth

Incisors are the teeth in front of the mouth, closest to the lips. They bite into food and cut it.
Cuspids (canines) are located next to the incisors. They rip and tear food.
Bicuspids (premolars) grind food.
Molars are the teeth in the back of your mouth. They are the closest to the throat and they grind and crush food.

 

When do we get our baby teeth?

Our baby teeth generally start coming when we are 6 months old but there can be some variance with how they come in and when they come in. Generally it isn't something to be too concerned with. Make an appointment with your Happy Teeth dentist today if you have any questions about your baby's teeth.

Baby Teeth:

6 to 10 months – Lower front teeth
8 to 12 months – Upper front teeth
13 to 19 months - 1st baby molars
25 to 33 months – 2nd baby molars

Adult Teeth:

6 to 7 years – Adult 1st molars and Lower front teeth
7 to 8 years – Upper front teeth
10 to 12 years – Bicuspids or Premolars
11 to 12 years – Adult Canines
12 to 13 years – Adult 2nd molars
17 to 21 years – Adult 3rd molars “Wisdom Teeth”