Types of Teeth and Their Functions

Most of us know how important it is to look after our teeth, but how many of you know what the different types and their functions are? As humans, we have 32 permanent teeth (including wisdom teeth) and a total of 20 primary teeth. These choppers just don’t help us bite and chew, they play an important role in speaking and support many aspects of our facial structure.

Our staff at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists thought it would be neat to inform you about the four main tooth types in the mouth and their responsibilities. We’d also like to remind you to take care of them by brushing and flossing on a daily basis!

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have questions about your pearly whites, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn more about dental hygiene as well as the services we provide at the practice, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.

Don’t Let Tartar Torture You

If you’ve ever licked your tongue and felt something fuzzy on your teeth, that fuzzy business is called plaque. When plaque is not removed in a timely manner, it sits on the teeth and mineralizes into tartar. Tartar is a mineral buildup that’s fairly easy to see, if above the gum line. However, you don’t want it there because it can lead to more serious conditions, such as cavities and gum disease. Once tartar forms on your teeth our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists are the only ones who can remove it. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to schedule regular dental checkups twice a year.

Tartar can make it harder to brush and floss like you should and this is what leads to cavities and tooth decay. Any tartar that forms above your gum line can be harmful to you. That’s because the bacteria in it can irritate and damage your gums. Your best bet for preventing tartar buildup is to brush regularly twice a day, choosing an American Dental Association (ADA) approved tartar-control toothpaste, and flossing between your teeth at least once a day.

If you have questions regarding your oral hygiene routine, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.

The Proper Brushing Technique

Here at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists, we want you to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime and this begins by brushing them twice a day for at least two minutes. We know that two minutes sounds dreadful and you probably think you’re wasting your time, however, if you don’t look forward to the dental drill, you might want to prevent cavities before they begin. The most important part of tooth care begins at home, so the next time you stand in front of the sink, utilize this American Dental Association (ADA) approved brushing technique:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria.

If you have questions regarding your oral hygiene routine, please give us a call. To learn more about dental health as well as services we provide at the practice, visit www.oysterbaydentists.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at The Oyster Bay Family Dentists in Oyster Bay, NY, call 516-922-5730.