Teeth

Teeth are small, hard parts inside your mouth. You use them every day to eat food. Teeth help you chew, talk, and smile. People grow two sets of teeth in their life. Taking good care of your teeth keeps them strong and healthy.

Two Sets of Teeth

Babies start to grow their first teeth when they are very little. These are called baby teeth. Kids have twenty baby teeth. When you get older, your baby teeth fall out one by one. New, bigger teeth grow in their place. These are called adult teeth. Grown-ups have thirty-two adult teeth.

A slice of an old mammoth tooth found in Siberia.
A slice of an old mammoth tooth found in Siberia. (Hannes Grobe, Hgrobe 21:21, 4 July 2006 (UTC) / Wikimedia Commons)

Keeping Teeth Healthy

It is important to take care of your teeth. You should brush your teeth two times each day. Use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste. Floss helps clean between your teeth. Try not to eat too much candy or sugary food. Visit the dentist to keep your smile bright and strong.

Fun Facts

  • Teeth are the hardest part of your whole body.
  • No two people have the same set of teeth, just like fingerprints.
  • Sharks can grow thousands of teeth in their lifetime.

Did You Know?

When a kid loses a baby tooth, many families have a fun tradition called the Tooth Fairy, who leaves a small gift under the pillow.