Your teeth are divided into four types: incisors, cuspids, premolars and molars. At most, you have 32 permanent teeth, but you start with 20 baby teeth, which include only incisors, canines and molars, per the American Dental Association (ADA). Getting a little brush up—pun intended—on all the human teeth names, each type’s location and their function can help you better understand why your oral care is so important. Incisors Slice Food Your smile
You can probably think of a few things you’d rather do than get your wisdom teeth removed, but sometimes it’s necessary for a healthy mouth! On the bright side, you’ll finally have an excuse for a temporary diet consisting of macaroni & cheese and chocolate pudding. As delicious as these soft recovery foods are, food can sometimes get stuck in empty wisdom teeth sockets after the procedure—no matter how careful you are.
It can be challenging to understand all the terminology associated with anatomy and medical conditions. What are the submandibular glands? Do they have any function in the digestive system? Where can you find yours? We’re here to walk you through your submandibular glands’ form, function, and related health conditions. What You Should Know Saliva (also called spit) is a vital part of your biology that helps supply minerals, remove food
Dry mouth is a state of reduced saliva, often occurring after dental surgery. Its medical term is xerostomia. Dry mouth is also frequently and intentionally initiated during dental procedures. For example, before filling a cavity or performing an extraction, your dentist will prepare the tooth area for a local anesthetic injection by drying it with air from a tube. Or they might use cotton rolls to absorb the saliva. While
The mouth has many visible areas we hear about all the time in oral health—the teeth, the tongue, the gums. But what about the key parts of our mouth that don’t get discussed? The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), connected to your molars and premolars, plays an important role in your oral health. Here we’ll look at what it is and the symptoms of potential damage. What and Where is the
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can be a severe dental concern if the clenching and gnashing wear down tooth enamel and cause persistent pain in the teeth or face. Bruxism in children, believe it or not, is relatively common. Read on to learn about bruxism and what you can do for your child. Causes of Bruxism According to the Nemours Foundation’s KidHealthy blog, two to three out of 10 children have
There’s nothing more joyful than seeing your child’s smile. But as soon as their teeth grow in, they become susceptible to gum disease, also known as gingivitis or periodontal disease. While this condition is more common in adults, it can still attack your child’s gums. Luckily, curing gingivitis is usually straightforward and is an excellent opportunity to teach your children about good oral health habits. Here, we’ll look at the
Do you have a space between your two front teeth? If you do, no worries. Though you may feel self-conscious about the gap, it’s actually quite fashionable today. A space between the mesial surface of your two incisors, or your front two teeth, does not necessarily mean you need a dental correction. FYI: The mesial tooth surface is the side of the tooth that’s closest to the center of your
When we look at a tooth, we can only see the enamel. But underneath this covering, there’s a fascinating system of hard and soft tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. Located beneath the dentin layer (which is the hard tissue right below your enamel) is the pulp chamber, which is the space where your dental pulp lives. Pulp is the soft tissue at the center of your teeth housing connective tissue,
If you suddenly see tiny lines or cracks on your enamel, it’s normal to feel worried. You might think they’re a sign of something much more serious. But it’s important to know that these cracks, known as craze lines, are most likely only causing aesthetic problems. Find out what causes craze lines on your teeth and if there’s a way to fix them. Causes of Craze Lines Craze lines are
Wisdom teeth removal is a common surgical procedure, and it usually goes well. However, wisdom teeth removal complications can occur. Complications can include swelling, bleeding, or numbness in the jaw. The good news is that you can prevent or reduce most of these complications by following your dentist’s care instructions and notifying your dentist if you notice these issues. Learn the five most common wisdom teeth extraction complications and what
Hundreds of tiny bumps called papillae cover your tongue, most of which contain taste buds with sensory cells. There are four types of papillae—filiform, fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate—and each has a role to play. This article looks into the foliate papillae, which are located on the sides of the tongue and contain taste buds. What Is the Foliate Papillae? If you look closely at your tongue, you can see these
