You'd certainly miss your teeth if you didn't have them!

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Make taking care of your teeth a priority

An adult human has 32 permanent teeth. People have two sets of teeth during their lifetime, including twenty baby teeth - which are milk teeth or primary teeth - and the permanent set. Babies start to show their teeth through their gums at approximately six months of age, but some get them sooner.

Our teeth start to form before we are born. This is one of the reasons why it is so important for a pregnant woman to get enough calcium in her diet. Calcium helps keep her bones and teeth strong as well as the teeth of the developing infant.

When a child is between five and seven-years-old he will lose his first tooth. Eventually they will all fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth. This process keeps the tooth fairy very busy.

Enamel on a human tooth is the hardest item in our body, but it can wear down and erode over the years.

Our front teeth are called incisors and we have two canine teeth, much like the teeth of animals, which are used for tearing our food. The canine teeth are more pointed than the other teeth. Our molars are used to grind food. Frequently, our molars are removed because they have become ingrown and problematic. Molars are also susceptible to decay. Molars are not as important as they once were. Some children no longer have molars.

Blood and nerves keep our teeth alive. If a nerve that leads to your tooth is damaged this can cause your tooth to die and become discolored. Teeth are fixed into our jaw bones. When you lose a tooth it changes the configuration of your gums, which can shrink.

Human adults put between 20 and 40 pounds of pressure on our teeth when the teeth make contact. Some people put as much as 250 pounds of pressure on teeth when they are chewing. Sometimes we break our teeth when we bite down onto something hard or chip a tooth against something; however, it is amazing what the teeth endure considering the daily beating that they take.

If you grind your teeth at night you are considered a bruxer. Bruxism can cause you to lose tooth length. Some grinders wear mouth guards at night to protect their teeth.

An eating disorder such as bulima, where frequent vomiting occurs, can destroy the enamel on your tooth. If you suffer from acid reflux this will cause gum and tooth erosion. Other substances also harm tooth enamel. People who spend a lot of time in a swimming pool that is overly chlorinated may experience the eroding of tooth enamel. A custom fitted mouth guard will protect your teeth. Cut back on the citrus drinks and soda because these fluids are caustic and bad on tooth enamel.

Unfortunately, one in four adults over the age of 60 has lost all of his teeth. Maintaining general health and ensuring that our bodies receive essential nutrients will result in a beautiful smile. Excellent dental care and personal hygiene, including flossing, brushing and the use of anti-bacterial mouthwashes will keep teeth decay-free.

Bacteria causes tooth decay. When sugar is left on your teeth, this leads to the formation of bacteria, which develops into a sticky coating on your teeth, which is called plaque. Plaque consists of acid and this acid destroys the enamel on your teeth. When that happens, dentine is exposed and you get a toothache.

Visit your dentist at least once a year if not more. A dentist will help you take care of your teeth and make certain that you have a smile you can show off.