Did you know... Teeth need opposing partners to chew properly?

Teamwork is an important aspect for most of us in everyday life. Whether this be in school sports, group assignments at university or later in life at your job or around the house. Perhaps you never thought about teamwork that is required within our own bodies, but our teeth are a great example of this.

If you inspect your mouth you will find not all teeth are the same. The reason for this is that each tooth has its own unique function in order to be able to chew and digest.

What are the different types of teeth?

Firstly, we have our front teeth called incisors, their main role is to take bites into food. Then, we have the canines which are our sharp teeth in the middle that are designed for ripping. Finally, the back of the mouth holds our premolars and molars, who’s primary role is to take care of the actual chewing.

How do they work together?

Although there are three main different types of teeth and roles, they do not function unless they work together. When a tooth is missing for example, the adjacent teeth will move to occupy the empty space. If the tooth is missing for a long period of time, the adjacent teeth will lose shape and no longer be straight, making cleaning challenging and causing gum problems. Not only this, but chewing patterns will begin to shift as your teeth begin to lose their shape, creating difficulty and pain. Therefore, not only will your teeth miss one another if one is missing, but chewing will become difficult and painful, as they cannot work individually.

So I won’t be able to eat if I am missing a tooth?

Although teeth work best all together, it doesn’t mean that you will not be able to chew if you are missing one. As humans, we are a very adaptable species and people can live a lifetime with missing teeth, however, due to changes in our daily habits and food consumption, problems can occur, and it is advisable to see your dentist if you are missing a tooth, in order to avoid any serious health problems.

Teeth are one of the best examples of teamwork since the beginning of time, so make sure to take care of yours to allow this group to work so you can eat, digest and improving your overall health.

If you have a missing tooth and need to get the band back together book a consultation with Dr Kate Amos or Dr Sam Rosehill at Ethical Dental on 6652 3185 or book online.