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Types of Teeth


Five different types of teeth erupt in the mouth over the course of the life of an average human. The four main types of teeth are incisors, canines, pre-molars and molars. The fifth type is third molars or wisdom teeth. In this lesson, we’re going to learn all about types of teeth.

 

To learn about Structure of the Tooth click here.

 

Although, the teeth develop before a baby is born, they are not visible even after the birth, until a baby is about 6 to 12 months old. Then the first tooth breaks through, and gradually more teeth begin to appear later.

Human Adult Teeth Chart - Types of Adult Teeth

Human Adult Teeth Chart – Types of Adult Teeth

 

You will naturally, get two sets of teeth in your life.

 

  • Primary teeth (Baby teeth / First teeth / Deciduous teeth / Milk teeth / Temporary teeth)
  • Permanent teeth

 

In each set of teeth there are four main types of teeth. These tooth types are; incisors, canines, premolars and molars.

 

Primary teeth

(Baby teeth / First teeth / Deciduous teeth / Milk teeth / Temporary teeth)

 

Most kids have their first set of teeth by the time they are 3 years old. These are called primary teeth, and also known as baby teeth, first teeth, deciduous teeth, milk teeth or temporary teeth. There are 20 primary teeth in all.

 

At between six and ten months of age, most infants begin to sprout their primary teeth. But this varies depending on the child’s development. If the baby is an early developer, it may sprout the first tooth as early as 3 months. If the baby is a late bloomer, it may take a year or so to sprout the first tooth. By the time a child has reached three years old, most of the primary teeth should be present. When the child gets to age 5 or 6, primary teeth start falling out, one by one. So now, the Tooth Fairy time begins.

Tooth falling out - Tooth Fairy Time When the child gets to age 5 or 6, primary teeth start falling out, one by one.

 

Why are primary teeth important?

 

  • Primary teeth hold the place for permanent teeth and help guide them into correct position.
  • Primary teeth play an important role in the development of speech and chewing.

 

Tooth Structure for kids - An Artificial set of Primary Teeth An Artificial set of Primary Teeth

 

Human Baby Teeth Chart - Types of Baby TeethHuman Baby Teeth Chart – Types of Baby Teeth

 

Primary Teeth Eruption at different ages

The lower central incisors (lower front middle teeth) usually come in first, and then teeth begin appearing on either side and work their way back to the second molars. The process begins to repeat itself when the child is about five to six years old.

 

Tooth Structure for Kids - Baby Teeth Eruption Chart - Primary Teeth Eruption ChartPrimary Teeth Eruption at Different Stages

 

Number of Teeth Chart - Number of Baby TeethNumber of Teeth Chart – Number of Baby Teeth

 

Permanent Teeth

Not only the set of primary teeth, but also the set of permanent teeth develop even before a child is born. Inside the gums, the set of permanent teeth is layered underneath the set of primary teeth on both upper and lower jaws. When the right time comes, a primary tooth falls out because it is being pushed out of the way by the permanent tooth that is behind it. Slowly, the permanent teeth grow in and take the place of the primary teeth.

 

There are 28 permanent teeth in all. This is eight more than the original set of baby teeth. Between the ages of 17 and 21, four more teeth called wisdom teeth usually grow in at the back of the mouth. They complete the adult set of 32 teeth.

 

Tooth Structure for Kids - An Artificial set of Permanent Teeth An Artificial set of Permanent Teeth

 

Human Adult Teeth Chart - Types of Adult TeethHuman Adult Teeth Chart – Types of Adult Teeth

 

Permanent Teeth Eruption at different ages

The central incisors fall out first and are replaced by permanent teeth. At the age of 6, the first permanent molar comes out behind the baby teeth. And at the age of about 12, the second permanent molar comes out as well. Both teeth do not require the fall out of baby teeth. By about age 12 or 13, most kids have lost all of their baby teeth and have a full set of permanent teeth.

 

Tooth Structure for kids - Permanent Teeth Eruption at Different StagesPermanent Teeth Eruption at Different Stages

 

Number of Teeth Chart - Number of Adult TeethNumber of Adult Teeth Chart

 

Types of teeth

 

What are the types of teeth?

As we learned above, there are four main types of teeth.

 

  • Incisor
  • Canine (Cuspid)
  • Premolar (Bicuspid)
  • Molar

 

Tooth Structure for Kids - Types of Teeth Chart Types of Teeth Chart

 

Functions of teeth

 

What are the functions of teeth?

Your teeth look different from one another because they are designed to do different things.

 

Types of TeethFunctions
IncisorsCut food like a knife
CaninesGrip and tear food
PremolarsCrush and grind food up
MolarsCrush and grind food up, help to swallow food

 

Incisors

The teeth in the very front are the incisors.

No.of incisors: Eight in all. Upper jaw: 4 incisors Lower jaw: 4 incisors

Shape of the incisors: Sharp and shaped like tiny chisels with sharp flat ends

Function of the incisors: Cutting and chopping food

Tooth Structure for Kids - IncisorsThe Tooth Incisor

 

Canines

The pointy teeth beside your incisors are the canines. The canines have very long roots as they are meant for grasping and tearing food.
 
No.of canines: Four altogether. Upper jaw: 2 canines Lower jaw: 2 canines

Shape of the canines: Pointy and sharp

Function of the canines: Grasping and tearing food

Tooth Structure for Kids - CaninesThe Tooth Canine

 

Premolars

You can see the premolars just behind the canine teeth, but in front of the molars. Locating in front of the molars is the reason for these teeth to be called as premolars. These are also called bicuspid teeth.

 

No.of premolars: Eight in all. Upper jaw: 4 premolars Lower jaw: 4 premolars

Shape of the premolars: Bigger, stronger, have ridges and a flatter chewing surface

Function of the premolars: Crushing and grinding food

Tooth Structure for Kids - PremolarsThe Tooth Premolar

 

Molars

The last teeth towards the back of your mouth are the molars. You have to open your mouth really wide, if you want to see them. According to the time they come in, molars are sometimes called 6-year molars and 12-year molars. Molars are the toughest of all types of teeth.

 

No.of molars: Eight altogether. Upper jaw: 4 molars Lower jaw: 4 molars

Shape of the molars: Wider and stronger than premolars, and have more ridges

Function of the molars: Crushing and grinding food, Working closely with the tongue to help you swallow food.

Tooth Structure for Kids - MolarsThe Tooth Molar

 

Wisdom Teeth

The last teeth a person gets are the wisdom teeth. These are also known as third molars. They are all the way at the back of the mouth, one in each corner. Wisdom teeth usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25.

 

Most adults have four wisdom teeth. However, some people have more than four wisdom teeth. We call these extra wisdom teeth, supernumerary teeth.

 

Sometimes, wisdom teeth can affect other teeth as they develop, becoming impacted or coming in sideways. In such case, they are often extracted.

 

Tooth Structure for Kids - Wisdom Tooth The wisdom Tooth

 

Why are they called wisdom teeth?

It’s believed that they’re called wisdom teeth because they come in later in life, when a young person is older and wiser.