Every component of your mouth is important and it’s equally important to understand the function of each tooth. If you’ve ever witnessed a family member lose a tooth or several, you’ve probably seen their lifestyle and habits change as well. Teeth help you to digest your food by chewing effectively and also play a big part in your ability to pronounce your words. Your San Antonio dentist, either Dr. Jones or Dr. Knight, understands that you’re more likely to take better care of your teeth and gums when you can truly appreciate how each tooth plays a role in your quality of life. After all, every type of strong tooth makes for a healthy body and gorgeous smile.
Incisors
These are at the forefront of your smile. Some dentists call this “the aesthetic zone” because that’s what others notice about your smile first. Besides showing off your smile, incisors are the teeth that you use to take bites out of your food. Typically, incisors are one of the first types of teeth to burst through your gums and stick with us the longest.
Dental Care Tips:
- Brush and floss regularly.
- Wear a mouthguard when participating in athletics (most sports-related dental injuries over in the front teeth).
- Visit your dentist semiannually to get your teeth professionally cleaned.
Canines
The next teeth that usually develop are canines. Most patients playfully know them as “vampire teeth.” These are the sharpest teeth in your smile and help us to tear our food apart.
Dental Care Tips:
- Brush and floss regularly—especially floss because tough foods can get stuck between these teeth.
- Visit your dentist semiannually for a checkup and professional cleaning.
- Don’t use your canine teeth to open packages!
Molars
These teeth are formally known as “bicuspids.” Their primary function plays a crucial role in the digestive system by being the first step in breaking down food—chewing and grinding food. You have four premolars (two on the upper jaw and two on the lower jaw) and then the second set of permanent molars grow in behind those.
If you’ve ever seen someone with tooth pain in their back teeth or even missing a molar, their quality of life starts to diminish.
Dental Care Tips:
- If you can floss between these teeth. Dr. Jones and Dr. Knight know it can be difficult to reach further back in your mouth, but there are tools that can make flossing easier.
- Remove as much food and bacteria as possible by brushing regularly.
- Visit your dentist for semiannual dental checkups and professional cleanings.
Third Molars
Most patients recognize these teeth by the name “wisdom teeth.” These are the last teeth to develop and don’t usually break through your gums until you’re a young adult. Your third molars are there to help with the digestive system as well with breaking down food.
A lot of patients experience dental issues when they start to come in like overcrowding. In that case, your dentist can perform an easy, practically painless wisdom tooth extraction to help you maintain good oral health.
Dental Care Tips:
- They are meant to be a functioning part of your smile, but your dentist will recommend removing them if they have issues growing in properly.
- Brush and floss especially good as they come in to avoid bacterial infections.
- Visit and openly communicate with your dentist about your adult teeth growing in.
Schedule an Appointment with Jones & Knight, DDS
Our dentists don’t want you to take any of your teeth for granted. Our teeth play important roles in our lives. Visit your family dentist in San Antonio at either of our locations to check on the development your teeth and maintain great oral health.