Dentist Questions Teeth, And Gum Care

Why are some people's canine teeth sharper than others?

Is it a genetic thing? My boyfriend's canine teeth are very sharp and noticeably more pointy, but mine are not.

36 Answers

Genetics. More I cannot discuss, I am not specialist in this field.
Unless one's teeth have become broken or reshaped purposely the actual original shape would most definitely be an inherited trait...genetic in nature. He should be great at "tearing or ripping up" foods...the primary purpose of canine teeth. Thus the increased length in the canine world and with tigers, etc. Keep them healthy and enjoy them throughout your lifetime.
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It's a function of age, positioning and wear. The lower jaw is mobile and upper is not. Over time, your boyfriend's canine teeth may wear down from the erosion from the lower teeth. As long as your teeth work to tear your food efficiently, there should be no worries!
Yes, genetics play a large part in how our teeth are shaped.
Yes, the shape and arrangement of each person's teeth are individual and largely related to genetics, just like skin tone, hair color, etc.
Wear and tear from your bite/occlusion.
Could be genetics, or wear and tear.
Canine teeth are genetically shaped and then get modified through daily use.
The shape of your teeth when they come in is genetically related. However the shape can change over time do to forces on them and wear of enamel- the outer layer of tooth structure, Canines can have a rather pointed appearance compared to other teeth in the mouth. With normal function some wear can be acceptable. Excessive or pathological wear and sharper appearance can occur with parafunctional ( other than normal) habits and is often a sign of bruxism or grinding of teeth and should be evaluated for the need of repair and an occlusal guard.
The shape of teeth are widely varied. Some canines are sharp and pointy, others are rounded, and if you grind your teeth, they may be flat. All are considered to be "within normal limits."
Yes, it can be genetic. But it often due to occlusion as well. Treatment is easy and painless, take few minutes to grind down the pointy end be a dentist.
Maybe he is s vampire, just kidding, yes, that's a genetic thing, just like every one has different shape of eyes or face or hair, teeth have different shapes as well, canine teeth are generally longer and sharper than the other teeth but for some people they are a little bit sharper and it also depends on their biting patterns. They may get worn down a bit through life.
Genetics. Nothing to be concerned about.
Some people have sharper canine teeth than others because of genetic differences and factors. The sharp canine teeth are not harmful to have a good dental health, but some of the people find it difficult to have sharper canine teeth. If you also have the pointed and sharp canine teeth, and you don't like to have such type of teeth shape, then you can opt for tooth reshaping treatment by one of the professional and experienced dentists in Katy at affordable prices.
Canines are naturally "pointy."

Over time, wear on the teeth may cause the point to become less prominent.

It is natural to see wear on teeth over time just due to wear and tear. However, the wear can be accelerated due to parafunctional habits such as clenching and/or grinding of teeth.

If you are aware of possible clenching or grinding, especially during the night, ask your dentist about a nightguard to protect your teeth!
Canine morphology is always related with genetics. Sometimes the usage of these teeth make them look like sharper or flatter. If the bite is not normal, these teeth looks small, rounded or asymmetrical because of the abnormal occlusion.
First of all, men's canines are more sharper or prominent than ladies'. Secondly, it also depends on your age and your bite. If your bite (or occlusion as us dentists call it) is not correct, your can grind of certain teeth and that is most often the canines or anterior (front) teeth. Then if you are a bruxer, which means you grind and clench your teeth during the night, you will also wear the teeth down quickly. That is why bite plates are made to protect your teeth. Skew teeth will also wear down quicker. Older people's teeth are more 'used' and worn down. That is why age also plays a roll.
Everyone's teeth are slightly different in size and subtle changes in tooth anatomy. It's probably just the way his teeth formed. If he is grinding his teeth, his teeth will get sharper as they start wearing. If he is noticing a change in his teeth, he should ask his dentist.
It's just genetics
The sharpness of human canines is both a genetic thing as well as a wear thing. The genetic tooth form of various people has individual variations, leading to more or less sharpness in their unworn teeth. Perhaps a bigger factor is the wear that people cause on their teeth from grinding their teeth, oftentimes in their sleep. This will blunt or wear canines, and should be treated at least with a night guard, but preferably with a bite analysis followed by restoration of the worn or damaged teeth and chewing system.
First of all, the shape of teeth are variable. All canines have certain characteristics in common, however they do not all look exactly the same; some may have more rounded cusps and some may be sharper or more pointy. Also, the way that teeth wear and the degree to which they wear can cause them to become more rounded or more sharp and pointed. This is my opinion, not medical advice.
The likely answer is pathological wear patterns. Clinically called, anterior wear due to contact avoidance syndrome. Likely that there is some disharmony in the way your posterior teeth fit together that impacts the stability of your jaw joints. There can be other reasons as well, but this would be my primary concern.
The shape of our teeth is genetic and we all start with somewhat pointed canines. People who have parafunctional habits like grinding, nail biting, or using their canines to "cut" things have a tendency to wear down the canine teeth so that they are flat or more flattened.
In Health,
Dr. Rankin
There are several factors that make teeth sharp. Naturally, genetics are the most common cause but certain diets and habits can also effect the appearance of the teeth.
It generally is a genetic predisposition. Do any of his family members have similarly shaped canines?
There is no rhyme or reason why some canine teeth are more pointy than others. All teeth, however, can be contoured easily by a dentist to decrease their pointy appearance and make them look less conspicuous. Visit your dentist today.
Why are some people taller than others? -- genetics. It could also be from grinding.
The human dentition because our diets, our habits, and stresses throughout our lifetime are responsible for generalized attrition. This condition is very noticeable in the canine area of the mouth as we use these teeth tear meat for chewing. Some patients canine teeth are in harsh occlusion and around the edges off of those teeth predominantly and less so on the lower front teeth. But over the course of a lifetime it's easy to see on inspection generalized attrition in virtually every human being. The fact that your boyfriend shows very little wear just means his bite is a little different then perhaps other teeth in his mouth in that area. You are also correct in assuming that genetics plays an important part in the shape of it as with other traits we inherit
When we are young all of our teeth are relatively "sharp", however, as we age we wear down the cusps (the sharp points on teeth). If you are a heavy/habitual grinder this process happens quicker. Our bite also determines the amount of wear our teeth suffer.
It can be the way the enamel developed, but many people do rub their teeth together and cause the enamel to become a sharp edge. It can be smoothed down if it causes trauma to lips and tongue.
Overtime our teeth wear, but also if you have malocclusion (not aligned teeth, crowding, etc..) you wear down teeth sooner than usual and can flatten out pointy teeth.
Yes, genetics play a role in the shape of your teeth but also you may be grinding and he is not.
Everyone is borne with sharp canines but through overuse of that edge, it flattens away. Grinding, nail biting, etc can cause the enamel to wear. There are some people that have open bites in the front and the teeth don't touch each other so they never wear down. It's all in the bite and the habits. :)
Teeth are as individual as finger prints, but women tend to have more round edged and men tend to have more sharp edges.
Was he born in Romania?

;)

-Dr G
Yes, this is genetic. However, it would be wise to make sure your boyfriend is not grinding his teeth, as this could be unnaturally sharpening his canine teeth to an edge.