When you’re in the dentist’s chair and the dental hygienist asks you to stick out your tongue, she’s not just being weird; there are actual numbers on your teeth, and if you don’t know how to tell which tooth is which, it can be very confusing when she says things like I’m going to clean that #15 for you today. And even worse, what if the real reason she wants you to stick out your tongue isn’t so that she can brush all of your tooth numbers?
From The Front, Teeth Are Numbered From Left To Right
Have you ever wondered how dentists know which tooth is which? If you’ve ever looked at a teeth number chart, you’ll see that the teeth are numbered from left to right, starting with the front teeth. The top teeth are called the maxillary teeth, while the bottom teeth are called the mandibular teeth. The maxillary teeth are numbered 1-16, while the mandibular teeth are numbered 17-32.
From The Side, Teeth Are Numbered From Top To Bottom
The teeth number chart goes from #1-#32. The numbers start on the upper right side, going from the outside in. The top teeth are your incisors, followed by your canine teeth. Then you have your premolars, and finally your molars. The bottom teeth are numbered in the same way, starting from the outside and working in. You also use this numbering system when you brush your teeth or refer to dental work such as crowns or fillings.
When it comes time for a checkup, dentists will usually identify which tooth numbers is which before doing any work. It’s important that they know where each tooth starts and ends so they can provide the best care possible!
The Lower Set Of Teeth Are Also Known As Bicuspids And Molars
The teeth number chart goes from the upper left tooth number, which is #1 and goes across. The next tooth would be your #2 tooth, which is direct to the right of your #1 tooth. This continues until you reach your back molars, which are your #8 teeth. The reason the back teeth are called molars is that they have a lot of surface area and can grind food down.
The upper set of teeth are also known as incisors and canines (five sentences):
The upper set of teeth starts with your two front teeth, which are called incisors. These are followed by your two canine teeth, which are the pointy ones next to your incisors. Finally, on the other side of your mouth is where you will find your premolars and molars.
Any Wisdom Teeth Are Referred To As Third Molars
The numbering system for teeth starts at the front of your mouth on the top and bottom. Your two front teeth are called your central incisors (one on the top, one on the bottom). Moving back from there, you have your lateral incisors (two on the top, two on the bottom), followed by your first molars (two on the top, two on the bottom). Finally, you have your second molars or premolars (four total – two on each side). Wisdom teeth are considered third molars and are usually removed because they often come in crooked or only partially erupt. They can also cause crowding of other teeth if not removed. That’s why wisdom tooth extraction rates vary between countries – populations that need orthodontic work will often have their wisdom teeth extracted before any other treatments so that the treatment goes as smoothly as possible without having to remove additional teeth later on.
The way dentists know which tooth belongs to which number is with a series of diagrams on a model’s head known as an occlusal-transverse plane diagram, an X-ray image or CT scan showing all the teeth overlaid with dots, or through a specialized ruler/guide designed for dentists that have markings indicating which tooth belongs to which number
The 4 Front Upper Incisors Are Referred To As Central Incisors
The four upper teeth in the center of your mouth (two on the left, two on the right) are called your central incisors. These are typically the first teeth that come in, around 6-12 months old.
The 4 front lower incisors are referred to as lateral incisors (seven sentences): The four front teeth on the bottom of your mouth (two on the left, two on the right) are called your lateral incisors. These usually come in around 9-13 months old. Your canines, also known as cuspids or eye teeth, are located just behind the lateral incisors and makeup one set of 16 teeth. There are four canine teeth on each side of your mouth; there are six in total. They typically come in between 18-24 months old and they’re often mistaken for the second set of molars because they’re both placed behind the other front teeth. Your next set is made up of 12 premolars and 12 molars.
The 8 Back Upper Incisors Are Referred To As Lateral Incisors
The eight back upper incisors are referred to as lateral incisors. These teeth are located next to the canine teeth and are used for cutting food. The lateral incisors are the second tooth from the center of your mouth.
The 4 front upper incisors (two sentences): The four front upper incisors are your central incisors. These teeth are located in the center of your mouth and are used for biting into food. The central incisors are the first tooth numbers from the center of your mouth.
The 10 Front Lower Incisors Are Referred To As Central Incisors
The upper teeth have more specific names than the lower teeth. The two teeth in the very middle of the mouth are called the central incisors. They’re so named because they’re in the center of your smile. Moving from the center outward, on either side of the mouth, you have your lateral incisors.
The next set of teeth is called canines, or cuspids. These pointy teeth get their name from their resemblance to a dog’s canine tooth. On either side of your canines are your premolars (or bicuspids). And finally, your wisdom teeth are at the very back of your mouth – although many people have them removed before they ever come in. Wisdom teeth usually come in around the age of 18-21 and will erupt if there is enough room for them.
