Be honest: Do you take your teeth for granted? However, if one of your pearly whites suddenly became loose or fell out, you would probably wish this incident had never happened. Getting to know your dental anatomy a little better might elicit a stronger connection between you and your grin, so you feel empowered to take care of them well before you ever have a serious dental problem. If you should lose one of your adult teeth, never fear; there are many aesthetically pleasing replacement options for all types of teeth.
Inside your Incisors
The eight total teeth in the front (combining both the bottom and the top) are your incisors. These teeth represent the part of your smile which others will see more than any other teeth. For that reason, caring for them is essential to your physical appearance. Incisors also have the ability to bite and slice through food, so they definitely have a functional necessity when you are dining on your favorite foods.
Cutting Loose with your Canines
Meanwhile, you have four canine teeth which are easily identified because they are the pointiest in your mouth. You have two canines on the top and two on the bottom, right where your incisors stop. Canine teeth are designed to tear into food as you bite and chew. Breaking down what you consume with your teeth makes for easier digestion as the food travels through your system.
Partying with your Premolars
Right beside your canine teeth, going further back into your mouth, are your premolars (AKA bicuspids). You have four bicuspids designed to help you crush your food for safe swallowing and healthy digestion. Without premolars, you are more likely to choke on larger chunks of food.
Meet your Molars
Molars are designed to grind food as far down as possible before you swallow it, provided you take the time to chew 50 to 100 times before you swallow. We use our main molars constantly, but our wisdom teeth (AKA third molars) tend to be fairly expendable. Since wisdom teeth can make a negative impact on your dental health due to overcrowding or not erupting properly, your dentist will sometimes recommend that they are extracted at some point in your life.
Visit your North Richland Hills Dentist
Whether you want to restore the beauty and function of missing or compromised teeth or you’re simply looking for a dentist’s office to call home, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler and his caring team are here for you. We focus on exceptional dentistry for adults, with a keen focus on highly esthetic restorations and the treatment of painful TMJ disorder. To schedule your next appointment, call our North Richland Hills dentist office at 817-918-3038. North Hills Dental proudly serves patients from across the Metroplex, including Fort Worth, Dallas, Denton, the Midcities, and Southlake.