How Many Teeth Do Adults Have? A Complete Canadian Dental Guide
Adults have 32 teeth including wisdom teeth, or 28 without them. Here is the full breakdown and what the Canadian Dental Association actually recommends.
Written by UnityLife Admin
Edited by the UnityLife editorial team
A typical adult has 32 teeth — or 28 if the wisdom teeth have been removed, which is the case for most Canadian adults under 35. Here’s the breakdown by type, when each appears, and what the Canadian Dental Association recommends for keeping them.
The full count
8 incisors — the four front teeth top and bottom for biting.
4 canines — the pointed teeth on either side of the incisors.
8 premolars — the two teeth on each side before the molars, for tearing and grinding.
12 molars, including 4 wisdom teeth — for chewing.
Total: 32 teeth when all wisdom teeth are present.
Why most Canadians end up with 28
Wisdom teeth (third molars) often don’t have room to emerge properly. When they come in sideways or partially erupted, Canadian dentists typically recommend removal — usually between 17 and 25.
About 70% of Canadian adults have had one or more wisdom teeth removed, leaving a common adult count of 28.
When adult teeth come in
Ages 6–7: first molars appear behind the baby molars.
Ages 7–9: central and lateral incisors replace their baby-tooth counterparts.
Ages 9–13: canines, premolars and second molars.
Ages 17–25: wisdom teeth, if they erupt at all.
Baseline care — what the Canadian Dental Association recommends
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, two minutes each time.
Floss or use interdental brushes once a day.
See a dentist for cleaning and exam every 6–12 months depending on your risk profile.
Avoid sipping on sugary or acidic drinks slowly throughout the day — the exposure window matters more than the quantity.
Signs something is wrong
Bleeding gums that don’t stop after 1–2 weeks of consistent flossing.
Tooth sensitivity that lasts more than 30 seconds after hot or cold exposure.
A tooth that shifts, feels loose, or is painful when biting.
Any of these: book an appointment rather than waiting for your routine cleaning.
The bottom line
Adults have 32 teeth by default, 28 after typical wisdom-tooth removal. The Canadian Dental Association’s brush-twice, floss-once, see-your-dentist guidance keeps them in place for a lifetime.
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The bottom line
Adults have 32 teeth by default, 28 after typical wisdom-tooth removal. The Canadian Dental Association’s brush-twice, floss-once, see-your-dentist guidance keeps them in place for a lifetime.
Frequently asked questions
32 including wisdom teeth, 28 without.
Sources & further reading
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