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Sep 03, 2021 - minute readminutes read

How Many Teeth Do We Have?

Human teeth are often objects of curiosity for children and adults alike.

They munch, they crunch, they fall out on occasion, and we have an entire profession (dentistry) dedicated to their care.

So, what else is there to know about our pearly whites? Read on to find out how many teeth we have at every stage of life, as well as some fun facts about to share with your little ones.

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All about teeth – Facts for kids

It’s important to teach proper oral hygiene to children starting at a young age to help them protect their teeth from cavities and decay. But brushing, cleaning between the teeth, and going to the dentist can seem rather, well, boring, to even the most engaged of youngsters.

Sharing interesting teeth facts can be a fun way to get children interested in oral care, and to help them understand its importance.

Children ages 6 to 12 are particularly interested in learning more about the human body. Plus, these ages cover the transition from primary teeth to permanent teeth, so it’s a critical time to teach children about oral hygiene for the long-term.

Teeth at different life stages

The number, size, anatomy, and function of our teeth change throughout each stage of life. It’s important to know these differences so we can maintain proper care, identify any issues early on, and use the right oral products for each stage of development.

When do babies first get teeth?

Believe it or not, some babies are born with teeth – however, this is not the norm. Most babies start growing teeth (“teething”) between 4-to-12 months old. The average age for babies to develop teeth is six months.

How many teeth do children have?

Most children have a full set of 20 teeth (10 in each of the lower and upper jaws) by the time they are 3 years old. Around age 5 or 6, these “milk teeth” begin to fall out to make way for adult teeth. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be given proper brushing and care though; milk teeth are important as a placeholder for permanent dentition.

How many teeth do adults have?

Most adults have between 28 and 32 teeth – 14 to 16 in each of the upper and lower jaws. These include eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and eight to 12 molars (including zero to four wisdom teeth). Adult teeth are “permanent,” barring any excessive decay, infection, or injury.

What are teeth made of?

All teeth consist of three layers: the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp.

The enamel is the outermost layer made primarily of calcium phosphate minerals.

Dentin makes up the middle layer and is a yellowish tissue that consists mainly of calcium and phosphate.

Pulp is the innermost layer that’s composed of soft tissue, and vascular and nervous tissue. If the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, this can result in the removal (root canal treatment) of this soft tissue. 

Are teeth the strongest structure in our bodies?

Tooth enamel, specifically, is the hardest substance in the body. Yes, this means teeth are stronger than bone.

Made of 96% calcium phosphate minerals, tooth enamel is durable, damage-resistant, and built to withstand up to 200 lbs of pressure.

9 fun facts about teeth

Want to learn more about teeth?

Here are some more interesting tooth facts for you and to share with your kids:

  1. The most valuable tooth belonged to Sir Isaac Newton – valued at £27.615 in today’s currency.
  2. It’s estimated that three out of four British adults have had at least one tooth removed.
  3. People who drink three or more cans of soda each day have over 60% more tooth decay than those who drink less than one can of soda per day.
  4. Enamel is the only material in the body that cannot regenerate itself.
  5. The Blue Whale is a giant mammal that has no teeth.
  6. The Ancient Greeks used pumice, talc, alabaster, and sea shell powder as the “original” toothpaste.
  7. Giraffes only have bottom teeth.
  8. Research has found that 92% of Americans show signs of tooth decay, compared to only 28% in England.
  9. Dogs have 42 teeth and cats have 30 teeth.

Take care of your teeth at every age

Our teeth go through many different developmental stages as we age – from infancy to childhood to adulthood. At every age, it’s important to maintain great oral hygiene, including daily brushing and interdental cleaning, scheduling regular dentist check-ups, and using high-quality products.

At SUNSTAR GUM®, we offer everything you and your family need to keep your teeth shiny and healthy. So whether you have two teeth, 32 teeth, or somewhere in between, you can find toothbrushes, oral gels, and more to keep smiling confidently.

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