Find Out How Teeth are Numbered

Everyone has seen an x-ray of their pearly whites at some point. Most of the time, you don't know what you're seeing. All you know is that these images are supposed to be your teeth.

One of the most confusing things about what you're seeing is the numbers and how they relate to your teeth. The following will help you learn how to read these numbers a little better so that you feel in control on your next visit.

The first thing you should know is there are 32 teeth in total. Knowing that can help you understand how your dentist identifies teeth in your mouth.

The next thing you should know is the types, which are the following:

Molars
The molars are there to help you chew your food as thoroughly as possible. You're going to find 12 molars in a mouth, tucked in the back. The molars are strong; they are there to help grind and crush all sorts of food. If you process your food correctly, it optimizes digestion.

Premolars
The premolars, sometimes called the bicuspids, are not as strong as the molars, but they're still pretty important. There are eight premolars. You'll find four on each side. The premolar is there to help molars break down food by tearing it up as much as possible.

Incisors
The incisors are in the front. You'll find four on top and the other four down under. The incisors are used to grip food and bite down on food.

Canines
There are four canines. These are sharper than the other ivories inside your mouth. They help tear down food as much as possible. The canines have a natural animalistic appearance, which makes sense when you think about their job.

Now that you know all that, you can learn about numbering. The first 16 pearly whites are on the top. The first tooth is a molar, and it's on the right side of the mouth. Count each tooth after that until you get to the molar on the left side.

The next group you want to number is at the bottom of your mouth. You want to start with number 17 from the left side of your mouth. Again, it starts with a molar. The number one molar mentioned earlier sits on top of number 17. After that, all you have to do is count each tooth until you get to the right side of your mouth, ending with the molar there.

There you have it from the roof of your mouth to the tip of your tongue. Now, you know how to tell the difference between each tooth, but if you want to learn more, then don't hesitate to talk to your dentist about this. The folks at your dental office are willing to answer your questions and help you understand how they use your x-ray to figure out what's going on with your dental health.