Would you feel offended if someone called you a diphyodont (dif-ee-uh-dont)? The good news is that there’s no need to get your dander up since the moniker applies to almost all mammals. It simply means having two successive sets of teeth. Be glad you aren’t a polyphyodont whose teeth are constantly being replaced by a new set! We humans lose our baby teeth and then our permanent teeth start erupting at around six or seven years old. Most of the teeth grow in by the time a person is twelve or fourteen years old.
How Long Should Our Teeth Last?
Permanent teeth can last for a lifetime. The catch is that you have to take care of your teeth. If you don’t, there are some dental restoration options available. But we’ll go more into that later.
How to Keep Your Teeth for a Lifetime
The key to keeping your teeth for your entire life is to have a daily oral hygiene routine. The goal is to remove plaque and harmful bacteria that could cause damage to your teeth and gums. A good oral hygiene routine involves brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. This will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Additionally, regular dental hygiene appointments clean the plaque and tartar from your teeth that even a good hygiene routine can’t remove.
Healthy Gums Are Important Too
Your gums play an essential role in keeping your teeth in place. Untreated gum disease can lead to losing teeth and bone structure. Luckily, gum disease is easy to treat with early detection. That’s why it’s so important to visit Chaney Dental every six months. We examine your teeth and notice problems early on, which can prevent premature tooth loss.
Protect Your Teeth From Damage
Protecting your teeth from external damage is also important. Never use your teeth as a tool to open packages or tear things. Additionally, your teeth can get knocked out or damaged while playing contact sports. Chaney Dental can fit the active members of your family with customized sports mouthguards to help protect their teeth from trauma.
How Long Do Dental Restorations Last?
Sometimes even the best oral hygiene routines can’t save your teeth. Accidents happen and sometimes you might end up replacing your tooth with a crown. Dental crowns can fit on top of a damaged natural tooth or on a dental implant if the tooth is too damaged to save. Dental crowns and implants don’t need any extra maintenance. Crowns are also incredibly sturdy. With proper care, it’s not unheard of for crowns to last for decades.
Do You Need a Dental Check-Up?
At Chaney Dental, we have a mission to give you personalized care and help you keep your teeth for a lifetime. If it’s time for you to receive a dental exam or if you have questions about your teeth, give our Prairie Village team a call to schedule an appointment. We’re happy to support you with quality preventive and restorative dental care.
