You might think that you know your teeth and the names of their numbers, but if you don’t speak dental, you might be mistaken! Dentists use special lingo when they refer to the teeth numbers and names of their patients, and learning those terms will help make your visit easier on both you and your dentist. This article will teach you the lingo and get you better acquainted with the ins and outs of your mouth so that next time you visit your dentist, there won’t be any surprises or misunderstandings!
The name of each tooth
Use our simple tooth chart numbered to learn each tooth’s name. By keeping track of these dental identifiers, you can take better care of your teeth in a way that makes sense to you. For example, canines are commonly referred to as eye teeth for their position along either side of your nose. Incisors are right at front and central to your smile—and if they ever need a little extra care, it’s easy enough to remember that they’re near-cutters. If you notice anything out of place with one of your teeth, it’s worth noting which tooth it is when you go in for a checkup. The closer attention your dentist pays (literally) will make sure everything stays even and straight!
Which is your most visible tooth?
Your two front teeth, also known as incisors, are your most visible tooth. Incisors are used for cutting food into smaller pieces so it can easily be chewed. They are named by number: your right-hand incisor is #1 (usually called the canine), and your left-hand incisor is #2 (known as the lateral incisor). The third tooth on each side of your mouth is called a central or premolar tooth; they have a ridged surface that helps them grip foods like nuts or corn kernels. Premolars are labeled #3 on both sides of your mouth. Most people only have four premolars—but some lucky folks get six total!
Teeth by number
Most people have twenty teeth, though four wisdom teeth (also called third molars) are often removed in adulthood. Each tooth has a specific name based on its place in your mouth. Here’s a quick list of those terms: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. You don’t need to remember all of them right now; instead, use them as a handy reference guide for your Orthodontist appointments or when you visit your local dental office. Your dentist will give you better guidance on care routines at each appointment as well. That way you can keep up with routine dental visits until they’re no longer necessary!
The four kinds of canines
There are four kinds of canines, each with its own name: first canines, also called central incisors; second canines, also called lateral incisors; third canines, also called cuspids; and fourth canines, which don’t have an official name but are commonly referred to as eye teeth. The names for these teeth reflect their positions in relation to other teeth: first (central), second (lateral), third (cuspid) and fourth (eye). First centrals, for example, are located between your two central incisors.
Incisors, premolars, molars
There are a total of 32 teeth in your mouth, not counting wisdom teeth. Four different types of teeth make up a person’s mouth—incisors, premolars, molars, and wisdom teeth. Your top set of 20 teeth (upper incisors through upper molars) is considered permanent (though you can lose one if it is knocked out). The bottom set (lower incisors through lower molars) usually loses a tooth before its permanent counterpart erupts. Teeth have specific names based on their location in your mouth: Incisor – Front top tooth to cut food. Canines – Back pointed tooth used for tearing food. Premolar – Between incisor and molar to crush food.
Front teeth names are different from back ones
In addition to knowing how many teeth are in your mouth, it’s also important to know their names. Front teeth are called incisors, and they’re numbered from one to four. The fourth tooth on your top jaw is called a canine, but is commonly referred to as a eye tooth. Back teeth—called premolars and molars—are numbered differently: They’re named for their location rather than by number. Tooth one is your lower left molar (your first back tooth), while tooth two is your upper left molar, three is your lower right molar (or second back tooth) and four is your upper right molar.
What do you have?
Here’s a basic tooth chart numbered to help you understand what different types of teeth are called. Incisors have a number, premolars have letters and molars don’t fall into either category. It also helps to use descriptive words when describing your teeth so that you can better remember what they are called. For example, upper teeth start with front teeth (incisors), then go down in front of them (canines) to behind those teeth (pre-molars). Next, there are central molars on both sides, which are huge compared to our other teeth. The back molars are located in the back of our mouths.