The Evolution Of Human Teeth From Birth To Dentures
Featured images |
| License: Royalty Free or iStock source: Deposit Photos |
Human teeth are precious structures that serve us well in distinct ways. The most obvious use of our teeth is for cutting and grinding up food in preparation for digestion. Therefore, the health of our teeth is vital to insure that we can glean proper nutrition.
Teeth are also important aesthetic devices that present observers with a particular vibe. Someone with straighter teeth and a whiter smile will receive more positive attention than someone with missing, stained teeth. A perfect smile is coveted, which is why cosmetic dentistry is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures.
Our teeth have a lifespan just as our bodies do, and they begin to decay and wither as we get older, regardless of how clean and healthy we try to keep them. That's why dentures can be very necessary for continued survival as we approach old age. Similarly, elephants would actually live longer if their teeth did. The molars of an elephant constantly replace themselves throughout the animal's life. At around the age of 60, an elephant's molars wear down and can't be replaced again, so they starve to death.
An elephant, unlike a human, is a polyphydont. A polyphydont is an animal that has teeth which regularly regenerate and replace themselves. It's actually unusual for a mammal to have this trait that is primarily relegated to fish. Most mammals are like humans and are diphyodonts, which means that they have two sets of teeth in their lifetime. In this way, human teeth go through a lot of transformations as well.
We're born toothless and squishy, but we begin to erupt our first nubs of enamel at around six months and continue to do so until two years of age. Both our primary and permanent sets of teeth actually begin to form in the womb, developing the essential components necessary for a strong and healthy oral facility.
The primary teeth are a child's only teeth until about six, which is when the introduction of permanent teeth begins. This stage of oral development is known as the "mixed stage", and it ends when all the primary or "deciduous" teeth have fallen out to make way for the rest of the permanent teeth.
The only remaining teeth that may form are commonly known as "wisdom teeth", which are a third set of four molars that usually erupt between the ages of 16 and 25. Wisdom teeth are actually a vestigial aspect of human biology, assumed to once be necessary for the digestion of plant matter in ancient man.
Our jaws have since grown smaller, and the eruption of wisdom teeth often causes problems such as impaction, requiring their removal. As we age, our teeth also become more prone to cavities, root decay and sensitivity. Crowns, implants and dentures may be necessary to facilitate the function of healthy, undamaged teeth.
As we go through our ivory pilgrimage, it's important to practice good oral hygiene. Regular brushing and flossing is essential, as well as trips to dentist every sixth months if possible. With proper maintenance, our smiles may last as long as we do.
Quincy Marsden is a cosmetic dentist at Queens Plate Dental who aims to improve the aesthetics of an individual's smile through his work.
Category: Dental
0 comments