We normally have 32 teeth as adults, 16 on top and 16 on the bottom. Most of us know what our top teeth are for, but what about our bottom teeth? What are the four different types of teeth and what do they do?
Incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. The front teeth, or incisors, are utilized to bite into food. Canines are often called “eye teeth” because they are located between the eyes. Premolars give chewing power to your mouth, while molars chew the food you put in your mouth.
Do you know your molars from your canines? The four types of teeth and their functions will be discussed in this blog article. So, whether you’re brushing up on your knowledge for a quiz or just curious, read on to learn more!
How Many Teeth Does an Adult Human Have?
An adult human has 32 teeth. It has eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and twelve molars. Some people may not be able to fit all 32 adult teeth in their mouth. This is called malocclusion. It can be fixed with braces or surgery. Human teeth are considered to be adult teeth by the age of 12. Babies have a total of twenty teeth. Among the different types of animals, there is a great variation in tooth count. Sharks can have up to 300 teeth while some rodents only have 20.
What Are the Molar Teeth?
Molar teeth are the 4th set of teeth. They are the last set of teeth in the mouth, and they work to grind food into smaller bits that can then be digested. Wisdom teeth are a type of molar tooth. The roots of mandibular molars are most often found in two places. There are three roots of the maxillary molars, which are positioned behind the second premolars. There are 12 teeth in the permanent dentition, three in each quadrant of the mouth.. They are known as first molars (closest to the midline) and second molars (furthest from the midline). The primary dentition, which just has eight molars, is the most numerous.
What Are Premolars Teeth?
Premolars are the bicuspid and canine teeth that come between your molars and your incisors. These teeth are located in the top and bottom jaw and are used for grinding food. Premolars have two cusps, or points, on the chewing surface of the tooth. They help to grind food down into a smaller size that can be swallowed. There are eight premolars in the oral cavity. In each quadrant of the mouth, there are two. The first premolar is located closest to the midline and the second premolar is located farthest from the midline. Teeth with three or four cusps are possible. The maxillary first premolar has two roots, while the other premolars only have one. There are no primary molars.
What Are Canines Teeth?
Canine teeth are the sharp, pointed teeth located next to the incisors. Canine teeth are used to cut food into smaller bits. The first baby canines arrive between the ages of 16 and 20 months. The top canines develop first, followed by the lower canines. In contrast, the lower adult canines emerge in a backward manner. The lower canines usually show first between the ages of 9 and 11, followed by the upper canines at age 11 or 12.
What Are Incisor Teeth?
Your eight incisor teeth are positioned in the front of your mouth. You have four on each side of your upper jaw and four on the other side of your lower jaw. Incisors are tiny chisel-shaped teeth. They’re sharp on both ends, allowing you to bite into food with them. When you bite into anything, like an apple, you use your incisor teeth. The dental term for these teeth is “incisors.” They generally appear between the ages of 6 and 8 years old. The primary teeth have the same number of incisors as there are in the permanent dentition.
Conditions That Affect The Number of Teeth
There are a number of conditions that can affect the number of teeth an individual has. Some people are born without teeth, which is called congenitally missing teeth. It’s also possible to lose teeth due to decay, gum disease, or infection. Congenitally missing teeth result from genetic factors, and this condition is common in families. The most common missing teeth are wisdom teeth, upper lateral incisors, and second premolars/bicuspids. A person may also have extra teeth, which is called hyperdontia. Teeth may also be missing from the mouth if they were removed surgically.
Teeth loss can also be caused by several factors, such as age, disease, and accidents. Tooth agenesis is a disorder in which teeth do not develop in the mouth. It might appear as a complete absence of teeth or as a loss of 1 to 6 or more teeth. This issue is hereditary and uncommon. Oligodontia is the lack of 4 or more adult teeth. It is usually present at birth, but it can manifest after the first 4 months. Hyperdontia occurs when more than 4 teeth are missing due to non-genetic factors. This condition also results from accidents, tumors, and infections.
Aging can cause additional teeth to develop in some cases. These additional teeth are known as supernumerary, supplementary, or hyperplastic teeth. They may grow along the gum line or below an existing tooth; this is called impacted dentition. A large number of these types of teeth can result in overcrowdedness, which leads to issues like impaction and periodontal disease.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we’ve discussed the four types of teeth and their functions. Hopefully, you learned something that will help you to take better care of your mouth. Remember to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time, floss once a day, and don’t forget to visit your dentist. In addition, keep in mind that some people are born without teeth, and others may lose teeth due to decay or disease. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to ask your dentist or hygienist. Thanks for reading!
