Have you ever hesitated before saying the plural of tooth? Maybe you wondered if it’s tooths or something else. If you work in healthcare, write about dentistry terms, or just want to improve your English, this is a detail you can’t afford to get wrong.
Let’s clear the confusion and dive into everything you need to know from the correct plural form to its history, usage, and even how it ties into oral hygiene and dental care.
Plural of Tooth: The Quick Answer
The correct plural of tooth is teeth, not tooths.
Why? Because tooth is an irregular plural noun. Instead of adding an -s like regular nouns, it changes the vowel sound: oo → ee. This process comes from a historical vowel shift in English known as i-mutation or i-umlaut.
So next time someone asks, “What’s the plural of tooth?” the confident answer is: teeth.
Why Isn’t It Tooths? (Understanding the Rule)
English has two main types of pluralization:
- Regular plurals – where we add -s or -es (book → books, brush → brushes)
- Irregular plurals – where the word changes internally (foot → feet, mouse → mice, goose → geese)
The word tooth falls into the irregular plural forms category. Instead of tooths, the vowel changes from oo to ee, forming teeth.
This is due to an old historical linguistic process where vowel sounds shifted under the influence of nearby sounds. If you’ve ever wondered why we also say foot → feet, man → men, or goose → geese, it’s the same phenomenon.
Simple Definition + Usage Overview
- Tooth (singular) – A hard calcified structure in the jaws used for chewing, biting, and even shaping speech.
- Teeth (plural) – A set of these structures, essential for speech and facial structure and overall health.
Both words are common in dentistry vocabulary, casual conversation, and even in idiomatic expressions like fight tooth and nail.
Clear Rules & Patterns
- Use tooth when you mean one.
- Use teeth for two or more.
- Never use tooths in standard English.
✅ Bulleted Do’s and Don’ts
- Do say: “I lost a tooth yesterday.”
- Do say: “My teeth are sensitive to cold.”
- Don’t say: “I have two tooths.”
- Do learn other irregular plurals like foot → feet, mouse → mice, man → men, child → children.
Scenario Examples in Real Life
Email to a Dentist About One Tooth
Subject: Pain in My Tooth
Hi Dr. Roberts,
I’ve been experiencing pain in one of my tooth on the upper left side. Could I schedule an appointment this week?
Thanks,
Emma Lewis
Email About Whitening Multiple Teeth
Subject: Teeth Whitening Options
Hello Dr. Miller,
I’m interested in getting my teeth whitened before my graduation ceremony. Could you share the available options and cost?
Best regards,
Michael Carter
Clinic Instruction Note
To: Dental Assistants
From: Dr. Katherine Wells
Subject: Consistent Use of Terms
Please ensure patient records use correct terminology: tooth for singular and teeth for plural. Avoid incorrect forms like tooths to maintain professional standards.
Multiple Example Sentences
- “She brushed her teeth before bed.”
- “The dentist extracted one tooth.”
- “Children often lose their baby teeth around age six.”
- “He chipped a tooth while eating popcorn.”
Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| “Two tooths are missing.” | “Two teeth are missing.” |
| “My tooth hurt when chewing all foods.” | “My teeth hurt when chewing all foods.” |
Quick Reference Table
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Tooth | Teeth |
Connection to Dentistry Terms
If you’re learning dental vocabulary or working in a clinic, using the correct plural form is vital. You’ll often see terms like:
- Tooth extraction (single tooth removal)
- Teeth extractions (multiple removals)
- Artificial tooth vs. artificial teeth in implant procedures
Accuracy matters in dental care, patient communication, and educational resources.
Idioms & Cultural References
English uses tooth and teeth in fun ways:
- By the skin of your teeth – Just barely manage something.
- Fight tooth and nail – Fight fiercely.
- The tooth fairy – A beloved figure in children’s stories.
Example:
“Alex finished the report by the skin of his teeth just before the deadline.”
Tooth and Teeth in Zoology & Culture
Beyond humans, teeth play roles in animal dentition. From elephant tusks to shark teeth, these structures serve various purposes. In literature, phrases like dragon’s teeth symbolize trouble or danger.
Other Irregular Plurals to Learn
The same pattern appears in words like:
- Foot → Feet
- Goose → Geese
- Mouse → Mice
- Man → Men
- Child → Children
Mastering these will make your English sound natural and precise.
Tips for Remembering
- Think vowel change, not -s addition.
- Practice writing sentences with both tooth and teeth.
- Use idioms like fight tooth and nail to make it stick.
Final Thoughts
The plural of tooth is teeth, and this tiny detail makes a big difference in sounding professional and accurate. Whether you’re sending an email to your dentist, writing about oral hygiene, or teaching kids about dental care, knowing this rule matters.
