Teeth
Dentists get a bad rep. Nobody likes going to see them, even though they're just trying to look after your dental health. Your teeth need taking care of: once you've lost your baby teeth, you only get one set for the rest of your life. Each type of tooth has a different function, from your pointed incisors to the grinding molars. So brush carefully and floss regularly, or risk cavities and root canals!
Nature's weirdest: 9 seriously strange animal mouths
Dig your teeth into this selection of oddest gobs on the planet.
Taking care of your teeth could protect you against cancer, says new study
You don’t need to have pearly whites, but scientists say a good set of natural teeth and regular trips to the dentist are important.
Shark week | How do shark teeth work?
There's a reason shark teeth are so prolific in the fossil record.
How many teeth do adults have?
Here is how many teeth are in a full set of adult teeth and baby teeth.
Can you bite through a human finger as easily as a carrot?
Go and get a carrot from the fridge and try it yourself.
5 of the best books on human evolution
Dr Brenna Hassett shares insight from her new book, Growing Up Human, and recommends five of her favourite books for further reading.
You're probably brushing your teeth wrong – here's what you should be doing
Dr Kami Hoss explained the ideal way to brush your teeth on the Instant Genius podcast.
Instant Genius Podcast | Oral Health, with Dr Kami Hoss
Dental health expert Dr Kami Hoss joins us on our podcasts, Instant Genius and Instant Genius Extra.
Look after your teeth to protect against cognitive decline in old age
With each lost tooth, the risk of cognitive impairment grows – but not for those who have dentures.
A scientist's guide to life: How to look after your teeth
Brush. Floss. Repeat. Brush. Floss. Repeat. We ask dentist Hannah Woolnough how best to manage your dental health.
Why does toothpaste contain sweeteners?
Wash your mouth out with soap…you already do, with soapy toothpastes sweetened to cover the taste of detergent.
Chewing sugar-free gum could help fight tooth decay
Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can potentially reduce the incidence and growth of dental cavities by up to 28 per cent.
Do any other animals have baby teeth and adult teeth?
Open wide! Most mammals have baby teeth which allows jaws to grow so no useless little gnashers are left for adult animals.
Stop using mouthwash after exercise if you want lower blood pressure, study finds
Physical exertion is known to lower blood pressure but the effects are significantly reduced when people use mouthwash instead of water.
Fish taste buds could teach humans to regrow teeth
Lake Malawi cichlids regrow teeth from taste bud tissue, and the genetic ability could also be present in mice.
Should children use mouthwash?
The tooth fairy can rest easy, using mouthwash between brushing can be beneficial for children but not necessarily as a post-brushing rinse.
Does flossing your teeth really make a difference?
Although there is little evidence either way it doesn't mean we should stop flossing our teeth.
Why do gums recede?
Gum disease is surprisingly common and damages the healthy bone your gums need to grow on.
Why can’t we regrow teeth?
Sharks can grow back lost teeth, so it seems like a evolutionary oversight that humans can't.
Why do teeth go yellow?
All the better to eat you with!
What’s in toothpaste?
It’s important to brush your teeth everyday, but you actually know what you are brushing them with?
The Smile Stealers: 10 pictures from the history of dentistry to make you squirm
Richard Barnett thrilled us with his beautifully gruesome books about the history of surgery and illness, but his new book about the the fine and foul of dentistry will make you thankful for the dentist's drill.
Does sucking your thumb ruin your teeth?
Thumb suckers beware, using a dummy may cause damage to your teeth.
Early human shows signs of right-handedness
Cut marks on teeth suggest human evolution developed handedness 1.8 million years ago.