Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Teeth in Spanish: Dientes
Dientes · noun · dee-EHN-tehs
The English word 'teeth' translates to 'dientes' in Spanish. The singular form is 'diente' (tooth). Spanish distinguishes between 'dientes' for the front teeth and 'muelas' for molars, a distinction English does not commonly make in everyday speech.
dee-EHN-tehs
Lávate los dientes antes de acostarte.
Brush your teeth before going to bed.
Teeth in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for teeth, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| dientes | teeth | dee-EHN-tehs | Default, widely understood |
| muelas | teeth | specifically molars / back teeth | |
| dentadura | teeth | full set of teeth or dentures |
How Native Speakers Use Dientes
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Daily hygiene
Los niños deben cepillarse los dientes tres veces al día.
Children should brush their teeth three times a day.
Health advice using reflexive verb construction.
Dentist visit
El dentista dijo que mis dientes están en buenas condiciones.
The dentist said my teeth are in good condition.
Reporting results from a dental checkup.
Teething baby
Al bebé le están saliendo los primeros dientes.
The baby's first teeth are coming in.
Describing the teething process in an infant.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Dientes
Using 'muelas' for all teeth
Incorrect: Me cepillo las muelas todas las mañanas.
Correct: Me cepillo los dientes todas las mañanas.
'Muelas' refers specifically to molars. When talking about brushing teeth in general, Spanish speakers say 'los dientes.'
Article confusion
Incorrect: Cepilla tus dientes ahora.
Correct: Cepíllate los dientes ahora.
Spanish uses the reflexive construction with a definite article ('los dientes') for body parts, not the possessive adjective ('tus dientes'), which sounds overly literal.
Lock in Teeth Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Dientes used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using dientes in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Lávate los dientes antes de acostarte. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Teeth in Spanish
- How do you say 'teeth' in Spanish?
- The plural 'teeth' is 'dientes' in Spanish, and the singular 'tooth' is 'diente.' For back teeth or molars, Spanish speakers use the separate word 'muelas.'
- What is the difference between 'dientes' and 'muelas'?
- 'Dientes' refers broadly to all teeth but particularly the front and canine teeth, while 'muelas' specifically means molars. When someone says 'me duele una muela,' they mean a back tooth is aching.
- How do you say toothbrush in Spanish?
- The standard compound noun is cepillo de dientes, built from cepillo (brush) and de dientes (of teeth). Dental offices and product labels sometimes use the shorter cepillo dental as a formal alternative.