26-year-old Indian woman, Kalpana Balan, recently set a Guinness World Record for the most teeth in a woman’s mouth, surpassing the typical adult number by six. She now holds the record with a total of 38 teeth, including four extra mandibular (lower jaw) and two extra maxillary (upper jaw) teeth.
Balan’s parents were initially surprised to discover her extra teeth and recommended extraction. However, her dentist advised waiting until they grew back, as they cannot be easily removed. Despite some challenges due to food getting trapped between them during eating, she decided to keep the extra teeth and expressed her happiness at achieving the record.
The medical term for having excess teeth is hyperdontia or polydontia, which affects approximately 3.8% of the world’s population. The cause of hyperdontia is still unknown, but it is believed to be related to a defect in tooth formation.
For male record holders, Evano Mellone from Canada holds the title of most teeth in a man’s mouth with 41 teeth. This achievement joins other interesting news stories that have captured people’s attention worldwide.
Balan still has two unfilled teeth and could potentially extend her record in the future. She plans to continue living with her unique smile and embracing it as part of her identity.
The story of Kalpana Balan highlights how individuals can embrace their differences and turn them into something positive. Her determination and resilience have led her to achieve something truly remarkable and inspire others to do the same.