How to Sign "Tooth"
To sign "tooth," form your dominant hand into a '1' handshape by extending your index finger. Bring your hand up to your mouth, part your lips slightly, and gently tap one of your front teeth with your index finger.
Examples Using "Tooth" in a Sentence
1
My tooth hurts.
Sign "tooth" by tapping your front tooth, then sign "hurt" by twisting your index fingers toward each other near your jaw to indicate where the pain is located.
2
The baby got a new tooth.
Sign "baby," then "new," and finally sign "tooth" by pointing to your front tooth to clearly show what the baby just grew.
3
I chipped my front tooth.
Point to your front tooth using the sign for "tooth," then use a classifier or the sign for "break" to describe the damage to it.
How to Sign "Tooth"
To sign "tooth," form your dominant hand into a '1' handshape by extending your index finger. Bring your hand up to your mouth, part your lips slightly, and gently tap one of your front teeth with your index finger.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "tooth" is highly iconic and indexical. Like many signs for body parts in ASL, it simply involves pointing directly to the specific body part you are referring to—in this case, your tooth.
Signing Tips
When signing "tooth," make sure to part your lips or smile slightly so that your finger is clearly indicating the tooth itself, rather than just pointing at your closed lips. Keep the tapping motion small, gentle, and precise.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is pointing to their cheek or closed mouth instead of an actual tooth. Another mistake is tapping too hard; a very light tap or even just pointing closely without making physical contact is perfectly fine.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Tooth" in a Sentence
1My tooth hurts.
Sign "tooth" by tapping your front tooth, then sign "hurt" by twisting your index fingers toward each other near your jaw to indicate where the pain is located.
2The baby got a new tooth.
Sign "baby," then "new," and finally sign "tooth" by pointing to your front tooth to clearly show what the baby just grew.
3I chipped my front tooth.
Point to your front tooth using the sign for "tooth," then use a classifier or the sign for "break" to describe the damage to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign "teeth" (plural) instead of just one "tooth"?
To sign the plural "teeth," you can slide your index finger horizontally across your front teeth from one side to the other, rather than just tapping a single tooth.
Do I actually have to touch my tooth?
You don't have to make hard physical contact. A very gentle tap on the tooth is common, but simply pointing very closely to the tooth with your lips parted is also perfectly acceptable and more hygienic.
Is this the same sign used for "dentist"?
They are related, but not exactly the same. The sign for "dentist" often uses a 'D' handshape tapping near the mouth, or it combines the sign for "tooth" with the "person" marker to mean "tooth person."
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!