how many teeth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how many teeth" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the number of teeth someone has, typically in a medical or dental context. Example: "During the dental check-up, the dentist asked me how many teeth I had lost over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

How many teeth?

The New York Times - Travel

Shaw wired back, "Ascertain how many teeth will suffice and alter text accordingly".

The New York Times

"I don't know how many teeth he pulled, but I think he pulled most of them out in one shot," Egan told me.

The New Yorker

There is slapstick, too: at one moment, after Don Quixote has been attacked by the shepherds whose sheep he has attempted to kill, he asks Sancho to peer into his mouth to see how many teeth have been knocked out.

The New Yorker

I don't remember him going but I do remember him coming back two years later: he asked how many teeth I had, then let me crawl all over his car – both good opening moves, I thought.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

How many teeth does she have?'" Chelsea said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The aim of this study was to determine how many tooth extractions were followed by symptoms of HAE-C1-INH in patients with and without preoperative short-term prophylaxis with C1 inhibitor concentrate.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

How many gold teeth does he have?

The Guardian - Music

The adjudicator will have power to fine errant supermarkets – a basic function that came only after a long battle – but how many real teeth this fledgling institution will have against the supermarkets giants, with their close links with Tories and Labour, remains to be seen.

The Guardian

Depends on how many saber-tooth cats were hangin' around.

Los Angeles Times

Joking about the fake teeth she had to wear while playing Joyce Mitchell, the woman who aided two convicted murderers in a 2015 upstate New York jailbreak, Arquette asked, "How many fucked up teeth does a person need?" "I was born with fucked up teeth!" Later on that evening, the actress issued a mea culpa while speaking with reporters.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking about the number of teeth, specify whether you're interested in baby teeth, permanent teeth, or a total count to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply asking "how many teeth" without providing context. Specify who or what you are asking about (e.g., "how many teeth does a child have?") to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how many teeth" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically used to inquire about a numerical quantity. This is evident from Ludwig's examples where the phrase is part of a question.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how many teeth" is a common and grammatically sound interrogative phrase used to ask about the quantity of teeth in various contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is used across diverse sources like news outlets, scientific journals, and wikis, indicating a neutral register. To ensure clarity, it's often beneficial to specify the type of teeth being referenced (e.g., permanent or deciduous). Consider using alternatives such as "what is the tooth count" or "number of teeth present" to vary your phrasing. Remember to provide adequate context to avoid ambiguity, and specify whose teeth you are asking about. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in diverse scenarios, reinforcing its versatility in both informal and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the tooth count

Focuses on the numerical value of teeth, using "count" instead of "how many".

what's the quantity of teeth

Uses "quantity" as a synonym for "how many".

what amount of teeth

Expresses the quantity of teeth in other words.

number of teeth present

Emphasizes the existence and quantity of teeth.

how many permanent teeth

Specifies the type of teeth being counted (permanent).

how many deciduous teeth

Specifies the type of teeth being counted (deciduous/baby teeth).

number of teeth remaining

Focuses on the teeth that are still present.

total teeth in mouth

Specifies the location (mouth) and seeks the sum of teeth.

how many dentitions are there

Refers to the number of sets or arrangements of teeth.

teeth number calculation

Highlights the action of figuring out the exact number of teeth.

FAQs

How is the phrase "how many teeth" typically used?

The phrase "how many teeth" is generally used in medical, dental, or biological contexts to inquire about the number of teeth an individual or a species possesses. For example, you might ask, "How many teeth does a shark have?"

What are some alternative ways to ask "how many teeth"?

Alternatives include "what is the tooth count?", "number of teeth present", or "what's the quantity of teeth?" The best choice depends on the specific context of your question.

Is it always clear what kind of teeth are being referred to when asking "how many teeth"?

Not always. It's often helpful to specify whether you're asking about baby teeth (deciduous teeth), permanent teeth, or the total number of teeth. For example, ask "how many permanent teeth" to be more specific.

How can I determine the number of teeth in a specific animal?

For animals, consulting a zoology textbook or reputable online source is the best approach. You might find information on dental formulas, which describe the number and arrangement of different types of teeth. Just asking "how many teeth?" is often insufficient.