How are tooth chart numbers? Your dentist will know if you’re talking about single, double, or triple teeth, but that may not mean much to anyone else you talk to. Understanding the basics of how teeth are numbered can help you make sense of your dentist’s lingo and keep your mouth healthy. Here’s what you need to know.
Upper teeth numbers
The upper teeth are numbered from 1 to 8, working from front to back. The first upper tooth is called 1, and its neighbor is labeled 2. This continues until you get to tooth number 8 (also known as your wisdom tooth). These teeth are often extracted, because they don’t come in very useful. Although they can be very annoying if not taken care of properly or left alone altogether. They are also referred to as your third molars. Each tooth has a name that corresponds with it’s number. For example, tooth #1 is known as your incisor. It has two parts: a body and a root.
Lower teeth numbers
The order for lower teeth numbers are 1-32, with wisdom teeth coming in at tooth #33. These teeth are broken down into four categories: incisors (the little ones on either side of your mouth), canines (the sharp teeth behind your incisors), premolars (the large teeth behind your canines) and molars (the back teeth that chew food). As you age, you lose three premolars per quadrant, bringing the total from 32 to 28 by age 12. The final set of adult molars then comes in at age 16. Wisdom teeth are often removed because they can cause crowding or pain when they come in, but it’s a personal decision.
If you choose to keep them, make sure they don’t come in crooked or impacted (meaning they grow sideways instead of straight up and down). This is particularly important if you’re planning on having braces later on; crooked teeth will only get worse after braces come off. If your dentist recommends removing them, be sure to have him/her show you what your smile will look like without them before making a decision. If a tooth has been knocked out or lost due to an accident or injury, call us immediately so we can help put it back where it belongs!
Why do dentists count from the back?
The chart numbers from back to front makes sense if you think about it. The teeth that are furthest back in your mouth are also furthest away from your tongue and lips. This means it’s more difficult to check them for any signs of decay or damage than any other tooth in your mouth. By numbering them from back to front, you can easily work through each tooth with a simple loop around your tongue. It’s simple, effective and well thought out. What more could you want? That’s why dentists count teeth from back to front.
Tooth chart key map
Teeth are numbered in a methodical manner. There are specific rules for locating teeth within different anatomical areas, and that’s where dental notation comes into play. For example, upper right teeth have a labial (lips) number of 20 and a lingual (tongue) number of 30—this means you count 20 teeth from your lips toward your tongue until you find them on tooth #30. The same applies to lower left teeth which have a labial number of 40 and a lingual number of 50. These numbers will help when it comes time to use an x-ray or visit our office!
