Tooth number 6

1. What is tooth number 6?

The sixth tooth, also known as the first molar or first molar, is one of the most important teeth in the human dentition. It is the first permanent tooth to erupt in the mouth, usually appearing when a child is around 6 years old. Therefore, the sixth tooth is also nicknamed the “six-year-old tooth”.

Outstanding features of tooth number 6:

– Is the largest and strongest permanent tooth
– Has a large chewing surface with many segments
– Plays an important role in chewing and grinding food
– Affects the development of the jaw and face

There are four wisdom teeth in total, one in each corner of the mouth. They are located 6th from the midline of the jaw, behind the 5 front baby or permanent teeth.

2. Position and structure of tooth number 6

Location:
Tooth number 6 is located in the 6th position from the midline of the jaw, right behind the canine (tooth number 3) and premolars (tooth numbers 4 and 5). On the dental arch, tooth number 6 is located in the transitional position between the front and back teeth.

Structure:

Tooth number 6 has a more complex structure than other teeth:

– Tooth body: Large and strong, square or rectangular in shape
– Chewing surface: Wide with many segments and grooves, helps crush food effectively

– Tooth root:
+ Upper molars have 3 roots
+ Lower jaw teeth have 2 roots
– Size: Usually the largest of the permanent teeth

The internal structure of tooth number 6 includes the following parts:

– Tooth enamel: The outer protective layer, hardest
– Dentin: The layer below the enamel, softer
– Dental pulp: The soft part inside, containing blood vessels and nerves
– Alveolar bone: Where the tooth root attaches

3. Important functions of tooth number 6

Tooth number 6 plays a key role in the chewing system and facial structure:

Chewing function:

– Crushing food: With a wide chewing surface and many segments, tooth number 6 helps crush food into small pieces, facilitating the digestion process.
– Bears the main chewing force: Tooth number 6 bears about 60% of chewing force, helping to protect other teeth from excessive pressure.

Pronunciation support:

– Create space for the tongue: Tooth number 6 helps create space for the tongue to move, supporting the accurate pronunciation of syllables.

Maintain facial structure:

– Shaping facial height: Tooth number 6 helps maintain the distance between the upper and lower jaws, directly affecting the height of the face.
– Prevents tooth misalignment: The presence of tooth number 6 helps keep other teeth in the correct position, avoiding misalignment or crowding.

Teething Guide:

– Orientation for other teeth: Tooth number 6 grows earliest among the permanent teeth, creating support and direction for other permanent teeth.

Jaw development:

– Stimulates bone growth: The presence and activity of tooth number 6 helps stimulate jaw bone development, especially during the growing stage.

4. The process of tooth growth number 6

Tooth number 6 has a very special growth and development process:

Embryonic stage:

– Tooth bud number 6 begins to form from the 20th week of pregnancy.

Infancy to 6 years:

– Tooth number 6 continues to develop inside the jawbone.
– Around 6 months of age, the tooth body begins to form.

Teething stage (around 6-7 years old):

– Tooth number 6 usually grows when children are about 6 years old.
– This is the first permanent tooth to appear in the mouth.
– Teeth grow without replacing any baby teeth.

Teething process:

1. Teeth begin to push up through the gums
2. The tooth tip (occlusal surface) appears first.
3. Gradually, the entire tooth emerges from the gums.
4. The growth process is completed after about 12-18 months.

Note:
– Teething timing can vary from child to child.
– The lower 6th tooth usually grows before the upper 6th tooth.
– During teething, babies may feel discomfort or mild pain in the gums.

5. Common problems with tooth number 6

Tooth number 6, due to its special position and function, often encounters the following problems:

Tooth decay:
– Causes: Poor hygiene, eating a lot of sweets, complex tooth structure
– Symptoms: Sharp pain when eating sweet/hot/cold foods, black holes in teeth
– Consequences: If left untreated, can lead to pulpitis or tooth loss

Pulpitis:
– Cause: Severe tooth decay, trauma
– Symptoms: Severe pain, especially at night, swollen gums
– Complications: Abscess, widespread infection if not treated promptly

Cracked or broken tooth:
– Causes: Trauma, chewing hard food, weak teeth due to decay
– Symptoms: Pain when chewing, sensitivity when eating hot/cold foods
– Consequences: Can lead to pulpitis or tooth loss if the crack is deep.

Tooth wear:
– Causes: Grinding teeth, eating sour foods, brushing teeth too hard
– Symptoms: Flat chewing surface, loss of natural grooves
– Consequences: Reduced chewing ability, increased risk of tooth decay

Periodontal gingivitis:
– Cause: Poor hygiene, tartar buildup
– Signs: Red, swollen gums, bleeding when brushing teeth
– Complications: Can lead to periodontitis if left untreated

Misaligned teeth:
– Cause: Genetics, lack of space on the jaw
– Impact: Difficult to clean, increased risk of tooth decay and gingivitis

Impacted teeth:
– Characteristics: Teeth cannot grow, located in the jaw bone
– Consequences: Affects jaw development, causes pain and inflammation

6. Treatment methods for tooth number 6 diseases

Depending on the specific condition, treatment methods for tooth number 6 include:

Dental fillings:
– Application: Mild to moderate tooth decay
– Procedure: Clean deep area, fill with composite or amalgam
– Advantages: Maintain tooth structure, restore chewing function

Root canal treatment:
– Indications: Pulpitis, deep tooth decay affecting the pulp
– Procedure: Remove diseased pulp, clean root canal, seal root canal
– Note: Porcelain crowns are required after treatment to protect teeth.

Porcelain crowns:
– Applicable: Large cracked or broken teeth, after root canal treatment
– Advantages: Protect teeth, restore aesthetics and function
– Process: Grinding tooth stump, taking impression, making temporary crown, attaching official porcelain crown

Tooth extraction:
– Indication: Severely damaged teeth that cannot be preserved
– Note: Consider carefully because tooth number 6 is very important.
– After extraction: Should implant to replace

Brace:
– Applicable: Tooth number 6 grows crookedly or misaligned
– Advantages: Adjusts tooth position, improves bite
– Time: About 18-24 months depending on the case

Crown cutting:
– Indication: Tooth number 6 is covered by gums when it grows.
– Procedure: Remove the gum covering the chewing surface of the tooth
– Benefits: Helps teeth grow normally and are easy to clean.

Impacted tooth surgery:
– Application: Tooth number 6 is impacted in the bone
– Procedure: Open bone, remove tooth, close wound
– Note: Careful assessment is needed to decide whether to remove or pull the tooth.

7. How to care for and protect tooth number 6

To keep your wisdom teeth healthy, you should:

Proper oral hygiene:
– Brush your teeth at least twice a day, 2 minutes each time
– Use a soft bristle brush and brush gently.
– Pay attention to cleaning the chewing surface and between teeth number 6.

Using dental floss and interdental brushes:
– Clean between teeth number 6 every day
– Removes plaque and food debris in places where toothbrushes cannot reach

Gargle with salt water or mouthwash:
– Helps kill bacteria, prevent tooth decay and gingivitis
– Do 1-2 times/day, especially after meals

Limit harmful foods and drinks:
– Avoid sweets and carbonated soft drinks
– Limit sour and sticky foods
– Do not chew ice or food that is too hard

Calcium and vitamin D supplements:
– Helps strengthen teeth and bones
– Eat lots of green vegetables, milk, fish…
– Sunbathe regularly to help the body synthesize vitamin D.

Wear a mouth guard when playing sports:
– Prevent trauma to tooth number 6
– Especially important for contact sports

Do not use your teeth to open bottle caps or bite hard objects:
– Avoid cracking or breaking tooth number 6
– Use specialized tools instead of teeth

Regular dental check-ups:
– Every 6 months to check your oral health
– Early detection and timely treatment of problems with tooth number 6

Early treatment of dental problems:
– Do not ignore unusual signs.
– Treat immediately when detecting tooth decay or gingivitis

Pay attention to the stage of tooth eruption number 6:
– Guide children to clean their teeth properly
– Monitor teething process, detect abnormalities early

8. Frequently asked questions about tooth number 6

Question 1: Will tooth number 6 be replaced?

Answer: No, tooth number 6 is a permanent tooth, not replaced. Therefore, protecting tooth number 6 is very important.

Question 2: Why is tooth number 6 prone to cavities?

Answer: Tooth number 6 is susceptible to cavities because:
– Erupts early when children do not know how to clean their teeth well
– Complex structure with many deep grooves, easy to accumulate food
– Difficult to clean location, deep in the mouth

Question 3: Should tooth number 6 be extracted?

Answer: Tooth number 6 should only be extracted when absolutely necessary, for example, if the tooth is severely damaged and cannot be preserved. If it must be extracted, consider replacing it with a dental implant.

Question 4: Is it okay if tooth number 6 grows crooked?

Answer: Misaligned wisdom teeth can cause many problems such as:
– Difficult to clean, increased risk of tooth decay
– Affects the bite
– Causes other teeth to shift
If you find crooked teeth, you should see a dentist for appropriate treatment.

Question 5: What to do when tooth number 6 is sensitive?

Reply:
– Avoid eating food that is too hot or cold
– Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth
– See a dentist to determine the cause and treatment.

Question 6: Is there any way to make tooth number 6 grow faster?

Answer: There is no way to make teeth grow faster. Teething is natural and different for everyone. However, you can:
– Ensure a nutritious diet
– Gently massage gums to reduce discomfort when teething
– Monitor the teething process and see a doctor if there are any abnormalities.

Question 7: How do you know if tooth number 6 has grown enough?

Answer: You can:
– Observe in the mirror: When tooth number 6 is fully grown, it will have a wide and flat chewing surface compared to the other teeth.
– Counting the number of teeth: If there are 6 teeth from the central incisor, tooth number 6 has grown.
– Go to the dentist for a check-up and X-ray if necessary

9. Conclusion

Tooth number 6 plays an important role in the chewing system and facial structure. Understanding about tooth number 6 and taking proper care of it will help you maintain good oral health and prevent many complicated dental problems.

Remember, taking care of your wisdom teeth, as well as your entire oral health, is a long-term process that requires patience. In addition to daily oral hygiene, regular dental checkups are also important to detect and treat any problems that may arise early.

If you have any questions about wisdom teeth or other dental problems, do not hesitate to use the “ASK QUESTIONS” form on our website. Our dentists will answer you in detail.