Everyone has different types of teeth that are distinctive when it comes to their shapes, function, and how they help keep your mouth stable. Teeth work together to help patients chew and digest food as well as speak properly. Teeth help patients feel confident in their smile and enhance your overall health. Your dentist in Lumberton knows the more patients that are aware of everything our teeth do for them, they’re more likely to take good care of them. So how well do you know your teeth? As an adult, you have 32 teeth, each of which has its own distinguished shape that optimizes its function.

4 Types of Teeth

Incisors

When you smile, these are the teeth that people see first. Besides providing majority of the aesthetics of your smile, incisors are the teeth that you use to take bites out of your food. The best way to take care of them is to:

• Brush and floss regularly.
• Wear a mouthguard when participating in an activity that you could potentially injure yourself in.
• Visit your dentist semiannually to get them professionally cleaned.

Canines

Have you heard of “vampire teeth?” That’s the informal name for these teeth. These are the sharpest teeth in your smile and bare the purpose of tearing food apart. The best way to care for canine teeth is to:

• Brush and floss regularly—especially floss because tough foods can get stuck between these teeth.
• Visit your dentist semiannually for a checkup and professional cleaning.

Molars

These teeth are formally known as “bicuspids.” They play a key role in your digestive system by being the first step in breaking down food—chewing and grinding food. You have four premolars (two on the upper jaw and two on the lower jaw) and then the second set of permanent molars grow in behind those. Here are the best ways to take care of your molars:

• If you can floss between these teeth. We know it can be difficult to reach further back in your mouth, but there are tools that can make flossing easier.
• Remove as much food and bacteria as possible by brushing regularly.
• Visit your dentist near Lumberton to receive checkups and professional cleanings.

Third Molars

Patients casually call these teeth “wisdom teeth” because they typically erupt as an adult. These are the last teeth to develop and don’t usually break through your gums until you’re a young adult. Your third molars are there to help with the digestive system as well with breaking down food.

A lot of patients experience dental issues when wisdom teeth begin developing. In the case of overcrowding or an uncomfortable skin flap that sits on top of your new teeth, your dentist can discuss wisdom tooth extractions to help you maintain good oral health. When it comes to your third molars, remember these things:

• They are meant to be a functioning part of your smile, but your dentist will recommend removing them if they have issues growing in properly.
• Brush and floss especially good as they come in to avoid bacterial infections.
• Visit and openly communicate with your dentist about your adult teeth growing in.

Mt. Holly Family Dentistry knows how important each tooth is to maintain a beautiful, healthy smile. Our teeth play important roles in our lives. Visit one of our dentists to check on the development and maintenance of your teeth today.