When you were little, your parents probably provided you with plenty of information about how to brush and floss your teeth so they’d last you a long time. But did they ever tell you how many teeth adults have? This handy chart gives an overview of the number of teeth and their corresponding ages, so if you’re trying to find out whether you need to schedule that appointment with your dentist, it might be helpful to keep this infographic nearby. Here’s what you need to know about the number of adult teeth have in the United States
How Many Teeth Does An Adult Have?
Many people worry about how many teeth they have left, and start to wonder if they’re brushing their teeth enough. But how can you tell how many teeth an adult has? The tooth number chart is a guide that will answer all of your questions! The chart starts at the top left with a number one which represents one visible or partially visible back tooth on the upper jaw. Continuing over to the next row, the number two is meant to represent two visible or partially visible back teeth on the upper jaw. As you keep moving down in the column, each row represents another pair of visibly seen or partially seen back teeth in a row.
Why Do We Lose Baby Teeth?
Baby teeth are known as deciduous teeth and they start coming in when you are about six months old. Baby teeth are important because they help space the adult teeth and if they’re not lost, they could cause overcrowding in the jaw. They also help kids chew food! We lose baby teeth as we get older because our bodies produce less of a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone or TSH.
This hormone is responsible for pushing the tooth out of your gum and into your mouth so that it can replace by an adult tooth. But since our bodies produce less TSH, there is nothing to push the baby tooth out of the way so it can make room for a new one. So when people get older, their mouths often contain more than 32 teeth because all those teeth never fell out. When people have too many teeth, their jaws may become cramped and sore from trying to fit them all inside the mouth. The bottom line is this: Babies lose their teeth first and then adults do too, but eventually they don’t need to anymore.
When Do We Get Our Adult Teeth?
Teens and adults get their adult teeth by the time they’re 16. That said, people can have their adult teeth before 16 if they lose their baby teeth prematurely. Losing your baby teeth prematurely may not be an issue for most people, but it can create issues for those with braces on the remaining child teeth in which it would need to be removed and replaced with an adult tooth. If you notice that a child is having trouble chewing or something feels off, don’t wait! Call a walk in dentist near me as soon as possible!
How Can I Take Care Of My Teeth?
Many people believe that only children need to go to the dentist and adults don’t. However, most adults should schedule a dental check-up at least once every six months. Some people may not visit the dentist often because they’re afraid of what they’ll find. If you have symptoms like pain, swelling or bleeding gums, or sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, it’s important that you visit a walk-in dentist near me as soon as possible. In addition to making sure your teeth are healthy and clean, dentists provide information on how to prevent cavities and gum disease in the future.
What Are Some Common Dental Problems?
You should see a dentist as soon as possible if you have any of the following:
• A toothache or persistent pain in your teeth and gums.
• Swollen, painful gums.
• Irritation around your teeth from metal fillings.
• Any unexplained change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
• Sores or lumps near your mouth that might be signs of oral cancer.
But you can also call our office to schedule an appointment if you want to know how many teeth adults have or would like to schedule an appointment for a routine cleaning at our walk in dentist near me location!
When Should I See A Dentist?
Regular visits to the dentist are necessary for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Some people find that they need to visit more often than others, but in general, adults should be seeing a dentist twice a year. The two annual visits should include an oral exam and cleaning. Visits to the dentist can also include other procedures like fillings or sealants for cavity prevention, crowns for tooth decay protection, or extractions for dental problems like severe tooth decay or impacted wisdom teeth.
