Learn About Maxillary Teeth

Maxillary teeth are the upper set along the maxillary jawbone, and they include top incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. These teeth can have a huge effect on one’s maxillary sinus cavities, and if you don’t take care of these teeth, you can develop an infection of the gum tissue. So, understanding your upper row of teeth and how to take care of them helps to maintain oral care and prevent the growth of bacteria.

To get an idea how all of your maxillary teeth come in, as a baby, you have ten upper primary teeth, which include two central incisors, lateral incisors, canines, first molars, and second molars. As you grow older, this number increases to 16 with the addition of first premolars, two second premolars, and two third molars.

Now, maxillary teeth help with eating and digestive functions, and they are like kitchen utensils. Incisors, for example, are like knifes, cutting the food you eat. Canines are forks that tear and break down food, and premolars are like a mortar and pestle that crush your food to digest. However, unlike our ancestors, who needed their third molars to help with that generation’s diet, we do not need these teeth and often don’t have room for them. Most dentists today remove our “wisdom teeth” to help prevent overcrowding and infection.

As maxillary teeth are our upper teeth, mandibular teeth are our lower, and they each have a position and a specific purpose, but one difference between them is the timing of their peaking. Our baby teeth, or deciduous teeth, come in at similar rates, except for our maxillary incisors, which come out into a month later than the lower incisors. When permanent teeth come in, some of the upper teeth come in an average of one year after our lower ones.

Our maxillary sinuses are our largest sinus cavities, and they often become infected first. Some mistake sinus infections for tooth infections due to the proximity, but this is easy for dentists to diagnose. Sinus infections can cause tooth pain, so be aware of that.

To take care of maxillary molars, brush teeth daily. Get a toothbrush that can brush well and reach areas so the backs of your teeth remain healthy, and maintain dental checkups to keep your mouth healthy. Taking care of your teeth can help increase the quality and length of your smile, and knowing more about your teeth can help you take better care of them.

If you or a loved one is in need of a visit to the dentist, you can sign up for our New Hampshire Family Discount Dental Plan and save as much as 20 percent on your dental bills. For more information, please click here.

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