歯 and 舌: literal and figurative uses inside the mouth
Learn the words for teeth and the tongue, distinguishing literal body references from figurative expressions.
Teeth and their number
歯, read は, means tooth or teeth. 歯を磨きました。 means brushing one's teeth. 磨く names that action in this combination.
前歯が一本抜けました。 says that one front tooth came out. 一本 counts a tooth; it does not mean that all the front teeth came out.
The tongue and its actions
舌, read した, means tongue. 舌を出してください。 asks someone to stick out their tongue.
舌で歯に触れました。 says that someone touched their teeth with their tongue. 舌で marks the means, and 歯に marks the point of contact.
A figurative combination
素晴らしい技術に舌を巻きました。 expresses admiration for excellent skill. Do not read it solely as a literal description of curling the tongue.
Learn は for 歯 and した for 舌. 下 can also be read した, so check spelling and context to distinguish the tongue from a lower position.
How many teeth came out in 前歯が一本抜けました?
Show the answer and why
One front tooth. Preserve the quantity expressed by 一本.