The Lifetime of a Tooth

The human body is an amazing thing. As we get older, things change, shift, and grow. Our organs are pretty much formed at birth. The physical form is a constant (for the most part) from the start, with a few "growing pains" along the way.

Not so much for teeth...

The sleepless nights of newborns who are "teething" are proof that the body "evolves," but teeth actually have a life cycle. The first eruptions of teeth for an infant is often painful (as any parent can agree with). From that first little baby tooth to the constant battle of tooth decay and cavities, our teeth have a lifespan of their own.

Let's look at the life of a tooth:

A Tooth is Born
The gummy grin of a baby can melt even the coldest of hearts, but the "teething" phase of a newborn's life can be hard for any parent (and infant). A mere six weeks after conception, teeth start to form within the gums, 20 of them to be precise. After two to four months, the joys of teething begin. These newbie's start to erupt and claim their place within the mouth.

Tooth Color
When teeth start to emerge, they may be sparkling white or a bit on the yellow side, sometimes a tooth may even have a bluish hue. This is because the pulp (the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth) may be a little bigger in a baby tooth and the enamel may be a bit thinner, which creates the opaque and blueish hue. Not to worry, the whiteness of a tooth is not necessarily an indicator of the health of the tooth. "Off colored" teeth do not equal poor dental health.

Permanent "Adult" Teeth
The roots of baby teeth will experience pressure as the permanent teeth develop, which is their anchor to the jawbone. This usually happens between ages 6 to 8. The pressure on the roots causes them to break down and become reabsorbed into the gums, making the baby teeth "loose."

By the time the baby tooth falls out, the root has already been absorbed and the crown is what remains. Approximately six months after, the permanent "adult" tooth will emerge.

Wisdom Teeth
There are three sets of molars, the third being your wisdom teeth, which usually erupt in your early twenties. Most people will opt to have them removed (they have a habit of erupting and moving other teeth into a less than straight position). Due to evolution, we just don't need them anymore. Food was once something that was a challenge to chew into digestible pieces. Having a third set of molars allowed our ancestors to take on the challenges of munching on meats, nuts, and other hard to chew foods. Thanks to modern utensils, we have knives, forks, and blenders that make chewing food easy as pie (Mmmm... pie).

Aged Teeth
Dentin will fight the good fight, but as we age our enamel starts to wear down. This makes "older" teeth more susceptible to cavities. As we age, our ability to produce saliva lessens, which leads to periodontal disease. Just like our bodies, wear and tear of years of living come with a need of extra attention to our health. If you pay attention to your dental needs, your "aged" teeth will be your steak destroying utensils for a long time.

For more information on how to maintain stellar oral health, read more here.


 By Anna Bird


Article Source: The Lifetime of a Tooth