If you often wonder how many teeth we have, this article will ease your worries. The number of teeth an individual has depends on age and certain other factors. The sets of teeth among adults and children differ, and the number also varies. Keep reading to find the difference between kids’ and adults’ teeth and explore what conditions influence the number of teeth.
Primary Teeth
Teeth in children start to erupt when they are 6 months old. These primary teeth are also called baby teeth, which fall out within some time, and adult teeth replace them.
Kids have 20 primary teeth in total, including ten on the top and ten on the bottom jaw. These 20 teeth erupt before a child is three years old and hold the place in the jaw for adult teeth to erupt in the coming years. When children reach the age of 6, they start losing their primary teeth. The adult teeth replace the baby teeth, and this goes on until the children are in their early years of teenage.
Many parents assume that since the baby teeth will fall out, they don’t need much oral hygiene. However, things should not run like that. You should help your child keep their mouth clean even before baby teeth erupt. You can clean the mouth by gently rubbing the gums using a damp washcloth. When baby teeth appear, parents can brush them using an infant toothbrush and a small quantity of toothpaste.
Adult Teeth
How many teeth do adults have? Adults have around 32 teeth, including 12 molars (4 wisdom teeth), 8 incisors, 8 premolars, and 4 canines. Removal of wisdom teeth is very common among adults because they often misalign the neighboring teeth and cause pain and discomfort.
Most adults have complete 32 teeth when they reach adolescence.
Factors That Affect The Number of Teeth
Gum disease is the foremost factor causing adults to lose their teeth. However, by taking good care of your teeth, it’s possible to prevent periodontal disease and other oral complications. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss them occasionally.
Other factors contributing to tooth loss:
- Tooth decay
- Genetic disorders
- Severe tooth erosion due to gastrointestinal reflux
Kids have 20 teeth in their mouth while adults have 12 more – 32 teeth. If the wisdom teeth are removed, adults have 28 teeth in total. All teeth need the care to stay clean and healthy. The number of teeth can differ due to tooth loss or having additional teeth. Keep brushing and flossing your teeth to make them healthy and wise.
Want To See A Doctor?
Wisdom teeth can often become a source of pain and misalignment. If your wisdom teeth start to erupt and are causing discomfort, heading to the dentist may be a wise decision. If you live in Pasadena, Texas, or nearby areas, visit our dental office. To schedule an appointment, call 281-299-0053.