A wobbly tooth is a cause for great excitement when you’re a child, but as an adult, it can cause great distress. Why is it so distressing though? Can my teeth grow back if they fall out as an adult? The answer is sadly no, they cannot. This is why the loss of adult teeth needs to be avoided at all costs.

How Many Sets Of Teeth Do We Have?

Unlike sharks which have new sets of teeth popping up constantly, humans only have two sets. The first is colloquially known as your ‘baby teeth’. There are 20 of these teeth which all appear by the age of three and they are usually lost between the ages of 6-14 years.

Progressively, as your baby teeth fall out, your adult teeth will grow into the space left behind. There are 32 adult teeth, a full 12 more teeth than your first set. Very rarely a second tooth may fall and a third one replaces it – however, this is only seen in around 1-4% of the population and usually only for a single tooth.

How Can I Keep My Teeth?

The best way to avoid losing your adult teeth is to see your dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning. You should also be brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and regularly flossing. Keeping decay and gum disease at bay is the best way to ensure your adult teeth remain strong and healthy for a lifetime of use.

Should you lose a tooth or teeth, all is not lost. You can still achieve a natural-looking and functional smile through restorative work such as implants or bridges.

For more information or to book your check-up, contact Alexandra Hills Dental today on 07 3824 4488.