People who do not look after their lower incisor teeth could be risking emergency dentistry, as they may be particularly vulnerable to plaque.
Dr Charles Ferber told the Daily Mail that the low, central teeth have thinner enamel and are also prone to tartar because they are close to salivary glands.
"A build-up of tartar can cause irritation that may make gum and jawbone shrink," he warned.
The expert also said that lower incisors are especially prone to damage from grinding, which people do without thinking or while they are asleep.
Incisors are the thin, blade-like teeth adapted for cutting and shearing food. Humans have eight, with four at the top and four at the bottom.
According to About Dentistry, the central incisors usually erupt when a person is six or seven, while lateral incisors normally appear at about the age of eight.
It may therefore be wise to begin emergency dentistry prevention measures with children to protect them straight away.
