What’s the Plural of Tooth?

The English language is full of words that seem simple but can sometimes cause confusion when it comes to pluralization. One such word is “tooth.” While it may seem straightforward, the plural form of “tooth” doesn’t follow the typical English pattern of simply adding “-s” or “-es” to a word. Instead, like many irregular nouns in English, it changes form entirely to become “teeth.”

In this article, we’ll explore the correct plural form of “tooth,” why it changes the way it does, provide examples of its usage, and answer common questions about pluralizing this word. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to use “tooth” and “teeth” properly in both everyday conversation and formal writing.

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What Does “Tooth” Mean?

Before diving into pluralization, let’s first define what a “tooth” is. A tooth is a hard, calcified structure found in the mouths of many vertebrates, including humans. Teeth are essential for biting, chewing, and grinding food, and they also play a role in speech and facial structure.

Key Characteristics of a Tooth:

• Structure: A tooth is composed of enamel (the hard, outer layer), dentin (the layer beneath the enamel), and the pulp (the innermost part, containing nerves and blood vessels).
• Function: Teeth are used for biting, chewing, grinding, and tearing food. Different types of teeth (such as molars, incisors, canines, and premolars) serve different purposes.
• Location: Teeth are anchored in the jawbone, set into the gums, and arranged in the upper and lower jaws.

Types of Teeth in Humans:

• Incisors: The sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth used for cutting food.
• Canines: The pointed teeth next to the incisors that tear food.
• Premolars: The teeth between the canines and molars used for grinding and crushing food.
• Molars: The large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth, also used for grinding food.

Examples of “Tooth” in Singular Form:

• The dentist said that my wisdom tooth is impacted and may need to be removed.
  (Here, “tooth” refers to one specific tooth in the mouth.)
• I accidentally chipped a tooth while eating hard candy.
  (In this sentence, “tooth” refers to a single tooth that was damaged.)
• The front tooth is loose and might fall out soon.
  (Here, “tooth” refers to an individual incisor that is wobbly.)

With the singular form clearly understood, let’s move on to the plural.

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What’s the Plural of “Tooth”?

The plural of “tooth” is “teeth.” This is an example of an irregular plural in English. Instead of following the standard rule of adding “-s” or “-es” to form the plural, “tooth” undergoes a vowel change, where the “oo” in “tooth” changes to “ee” in “teeth.”

Why “Teeth”?

The change from “tooth” to “teeth” is a remnant of an older system of pluralization in the English language, which dates back to Old English. In Old English, nouns like “tooth” followed a pattern known as i-mutation (also called umlaut). This process involved a vowel shift in certain words when they were pluralized. Over time, while most English words adopted the simpler “-s” and “-es” pluralization rule, a few, like “tooth,” retained their irregular forms.

For example, the Old English word for “tooth” was tōþ (singular) and tēþ (plural), which eventually evolved into the modern forms “tooth” and “teeth.”

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Examples of “Teeth” in Sentences

Now that we know the plural form, let’s look at some examples of “teeth” in different sentences. These examples will help clarify how to use the word in various contexts.

Everyday Usage:

• The dentist cleaned all of my teeth during the appointment.
  (Here, “teeth” refers to all the teeth in the patient’s mouth.)
• Children typically lose their baby teeth between the ages of 6 and 12.
  (In this sentence, “teeth” refers to more than one baby tooth.)
• I need to brush my teeth twice a day to maintain good oral hygiene.
  (Here, “teeth” refers to the entire set of teeth.)

Medical Context:

• The X-ray showed that two of her molar teeth were impacted.
  (In this sentence, “teeth” refers to multiple molars that are causing dental issues.)
• The orthodontist recommended braces to correct the alignment of my teeth.
  (Here, “teeth” refers to all of the patient’s teeth being treated for alignment.)

Zoology:

• Sharks have rows of sharp teeth that are constantly replaced throughout their lives.
  (In this example, “teeth” refers to the multiple rows of teeth found in a shark’s mouth.)
• Elephants have large molar teeth that are used to grind tough plant material.
  (Here, “teeth” refers to the large grinding teeth of an elephant.)

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Singular vs. Plural: “Tooth” vs. “Teeth”

Understanding when to use “tooth” and when to use “teeth” is crucial. The distinction is simple: “tooth” refers to one tooth, while “teeth” refers to more than one.

Let’s clarify this with a few more examples:

Singular (“Tooth”) in Sentences:

• I have a cavity in one of my back tooth.
  (Here, “tooth” refers to a single tooth in the back of the mouth.)
• The dentist extracted a wisdom tooth because it was growing improperly.
  (In this sentence, “tooth” refers to one specific wisdom tooth.)

Plural (“Teeth”) in Sentences:

• Brushing your teeth regularly helps prevent cavities and gum disease.
  (Here, “teeth” refers to all the teeth in a person’s mouth.)
• I lost two of my baby teeth last week!
  (In this sentence, “teeth” refers to multiple baby teeth that have fallen out.)

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Why Do Some People Confuse the Plural of “Tooth”?

The confusion around the plural of “tooth” likely stems from the fact that many English plurals are formed by simply adding “-s” or “-es” to the end of a word. For example, “cat” becomes “cats,” and “box” becomes “boxes.” However, “tooth” doesn’t follow this rule, and the vowel change from “oo” to “ee” adds an extra layer of complexity.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using “Tooths” as the Plural
Some people may mistakenly add “-s” to “tooth” to form the plural “tooths.” This is incorrect. The correct plural is “teeth.”

Mistake 2: Confusing “Tooth” and “Teeth”
Another common mistake is using “tooth” when referring to multiple teeth, or “teeth” when referring to a single tooth. Remember, “tooth” is singular and “teeth” is plural.

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How to Use “Teeth” Correctly in Sentences

Whether you’re writing an essay, speaking to a dentist, or simply having a conversation, knowing how to use “teeth” correctly is important. Let’s look at some specific contexts where the plural form is used.

In Oral Hygiene:

• It’s important to floss between your teeth to remove food particles and prevent cavities.
  (Here, “teeth” refers to all the teeth in the mouth.)
• Using a fluoride toothpaste can help strengthen your teeth and protect them from decay.
  (In this sentence, “teeth” refers to the entire set of teeth.)

In Dentistry:

• The dentist recommended a filling for one of my molar teeth that had a cavity.
  (Here, “teeth” refers to multiple molars, with one specific molar needing treatment.)
• Braces are often used to straighten teeth that are misaligned or crooked.
  (In this example, “teeth” refers to all the teeth being corrected by braces.)

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Common Questions and Misconceptions About “Teeth”

Let’s address some common questions and misconceptions about the plural form of “tooth.”

Question 1:

Is “tooths” ever correct?

Answer:
No, “tooths” is never correct. The proper plural form is “teeth.”

Example:

• The child lost two of her baby teeth today, not two baby tooths.

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Question 2:

Why isn’t the plural of “tooth” just “tooths”?

Answer:
The word “tooth” follows an irregular pluralization pattern that dates back to Old English. Instead of adding “-s,” the vowel in the middle of the word changes from “oo” to “ee,” resulting in “teeth.”

Example:

• Sharks have rows of sharp teeth that help them catch prey.

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Question 3:

Which plural form should I use in formal writing: “teeth” or “tooths”?

Answer:
Always use “teeth” in formal writing. “Tooths” is incorrect and should be avoided in any context.

Example (Correct for formal writing):

• The X-ray showed that several of her teeth had cavities that needed to be filled.

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Question 4:

Which sentence is correct?

a) The dentist said that my wisdom tooths are coming in.
b) The dentist said that my wisdom teeth are coming in.

Answer:
*b) The dentist said that my wisdom teeth are coming in.

Explanation: The correct plural form of “tooth” is “teeth.” “Tooths” is incorrect.

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Practice Questions: Tooth or Teeth?

Let’s test your understanding of when to use “tooth” and its plural form with some practice questions.

Question 1:

Which word is correct in the following sentence?

• The dentist pulled out two of my _.

a) tooth
b) teeth

Answer:
b) teeth

Explanation: Since more than one tooth was removed, the plural “teeth” is the correct choice.

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Question 2:

Fill in the blank with the correct word:

• I accidentally chipped a _ while eating.

Answer:
Tooth

Explanation: The sentence refers to one specific tooth, so “tooth” is the correct singular form.

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Question 3:

True or False:
“Tooths” is an acceptable plural form of “tooth.”

Answer:
False

Explanation: The correct plural form is “teeth.” “Tooths” is incorrect.

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Question 4:

Which sentence is correct?

a) Sharks have multiple rows of sharp tooths.
b) Sharks have multiple rows of sharp teeth.

Answer:
*b) Sharks have multiple rows of sharp teeth.

Explanation: The correct plural form of “tooth” is “teeth.”

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Conclusion

In summary, the plural form of “tooth” is “teeth.” This irregular plural form is a remnant of Old English and follows a vowel change pattern, rather than the simple addition of “-s” or “-es.” Knowing and using the correct plural form is important in both everyday and formal contexts.

Key Takeaways:

• “Tooth” is singular, referring to one individual tooth.
• “Teeth” is the correct plural form and should always be used when referring to more than one tooth.
• Avoid using “tooths” as it is incorrect.

By mastering the correct plural form of “tooth,” you can confidently use “teeth” in a variety of contexts, whether you’re talking about dental care, animals, or everyday experiences.