Teeth form one of the hardest and toughest parts of our body. They are basically useful for chewing and cutting down the food into smaller particles and also aid in speaking.
A tooth is formed from three tissues – enamel, dentin, and pulp, from outwards to inwards. Collagen and some other proteins constitute a tooth.
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What Are the Types of Teeth?
Primary dentition in humans consists of 20 teeth in total, while, secondary dentition consists of 32 teeth. This is known as the diphyodont condition.
Humans also have a heterodont dentition, which means, there are different types of teeth present in the human jaw.
– During the deciduous or primary dentition period, teeth in each jaw are:
- Incisors- 4
- Canines- 2
- Molars- 4
– During permanent or secondary dentition, teeth in each jaw are:
- Incisors- 4
- Canines- 2
- Premolars- 4
- Molars- 6
Tooth eruption starts when the baby is about six months old and continues up to the age of 3-6. From the age of 6 to 12, the child starts losing its deciduous teeth to be replaced by permanent teeth.
An exception to this is, premolars have no predecessors. Permanent dentition keeps forming until the last wisdom tooth appears, mostly by the age of 17-21.
What Are Incisors?
Incisors are usually the first set of teeth to appear when the baby is about 6 months old. Permanent incisors appear from 6 to 8 years of age.
There are eight incisors in total, four in each jaw. These are further divided into central and lateral incisors. They are located in front and are straight and chisel.
Incisors are used for biting into the food when it is first placed in the mouth.
What Are Canines?
Canines form the sharpest set of teeth in the mouth They are located next to lateral incisors and are 4 in number, in both, primary and secondary dentition. They appear when the baby is 16-20 months old.
Mandibular (lower) permanent canines start to erupt about the age of 9 and maxillary (upper) permanent canines appear about the of 12.
Due to their pointy edges, they are used for tearing the food apart, to break it into smaller particles. They also serve in the formation corners of the mouth.
What Are Premolars?
Premolars are located next to canines, but, only in permanent dentition. As said above, they do not have any predecessors. They appear between 9 to 13 years of age.
In the buccal cavity, there is a total of eight premolars, 4 in each jaw and 2 in each quadrant.
Maxillary first premolar holds an exception in that it has two roots, while, all the other premolars have a single root.
Premolars have flat surfaces and consist of ridges. Their function includes crushing and grinding of food into finer particles to allow easier swallowing.
What Are Molars?
Molars are the last teeth in both primary and secondary dentition to be present in a jaw. They are the most posterior teeth.
There is a total of 12 molars present in the oral cavity and they are designated as first, second, and third molar depending upon location from the midline.
The first two molars in each quadrant grow between 6 to 12 years of age and the third molars grow between the age of 17 to 25, known as wisdom teeth.
Since jaws are of different sizes, some cannot accommodate the last formed wisdom tooth. This can lead to cases where the wisdom tooth is stuck under the gums (impacted), due to which, it needs to be removed by the doctor.
They have broader and flatter surfaces with a larger area. This makes them suitable for grinding the food particles into a smaller size when the tongue pushes back the food for proper swallowing.
What Are Baby Teeth Called?
Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth or deciduous teeth, are the first set of teeth that develop in children. There are 20 baby teeth in total, which eventually fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth. The types of baby teeth include:
- Incisors (8 teeth total)
- Central Incisors (4): The front teeth on the top and bottom.
- Lateral Incisors (4): Located next to the central incisors.
- Canines (4 teeth total)
- Canines (Cuspids): These are the pointed teeth next to the lateral incisors.
- Molars (8 teeth total)
- First Molars (4): Located behind the canines.
- Second Molars (4): Positioned behind the first molars.
Baby teeth typically start to emerge around six months of age and continue to come in until about three years old. They begin to fall out around the age of six, making way for the permanent teeth.
How to Identify Teeth
Identifying teeth involves recognizing their location in the mouth and understanding their shape and function. Here’s a simple guide to help you identify different types of teeth:
- Incisors: These are the front teeth in the center of the mouth. They are flat and sharp, with a straight edge, and are primarily used for cutting food.
- Canines: Located next to the lateral incisors, canines are pointed and longer than incisors. They are designed for tearing food and are sometimes referred to as “fangs” due to their shape.
- Premolars: These teeth are located between the canines and molars. They have a flat surface with ridges (cusps) and are used for grinding and crushing food. Premolars are smaller than molars but larger than canines.
- Molars: The largest teeth in the mouth, molars are located at the back. They have a broad, flat surface with multiple cusps, making them ideal for grinding and chewing food. The third molars, or wisdom teeth, are the last to emerge and are often removed if they cause problems.
Tips for Understanding Teeth Names
- Use a Dental Chart: A dental chart can help you visualize the arrangement of teeth in the mouth and understand their names and positions. Dental charts are often used by dentists to track the health of each tooth.
- Learn the Functions: Understanding the function of each type of tooth can help you remember their names. For example, incisors cut, canines tear, premolars crush, and molars grind.
- Practice Identification: Practice identifying your own teeth by looking in the mirror. Start with the incisors at the front and work your way back to the molars.
- Understand Dental Terminology: Familiarizing yourself with common dental terms like “occlusal” (the chewing surface of the teeth) or “buccal” (the surface of the tooth facing the cheek) can help you better understand teeth names and their functions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Teeth Names
1. How Many Teeth Do Adults Have?
Adults typically have 32 permanent teeth, including the wisdom teeth.
2. At What Age Do Baby Teeth Fall Out?
Baby teeth usually start to fall out around the age of six, with the process continuing until about age 12, when all the permanent teeth have typically emerged.
3. Why Are Wisdom Teeth Called Third Molars?
Wisdom teeth are referred to as third molars because they are the last set of molars to develop, usually emerging in the late teens or early twenties.
4. Do All Adults Have Wisdom Teeth?
Not everyone develops all four wisdom teeth. Some people may have fewer, or none at all, while others may need to have them removed due to crowding or other dental issues.
5. What Is the Difference Between Incisors and Canines?
Incisors are the flat, sharp teeth at the front of the mouth, used for cutting food. Canines are pointed teeth next to the incisors, used for tearing food.
6. How Can I Tell If I Have a Molar or a Premolar?
Premolars are smaller than molars and have one or two cusps, whereas molars are larger, with a broader surface and multiple cusps. Molars are located further back in the mouth compared to premolars.
Conclusion
Teeth form an essential part of our body. Without them chewing and swallowing of the food particles would not be possible. There are different types of teeth present in humans and they appear at different times of age.
Since teeth don’t remain intact throughout life, it is important to take good care of them and regular checkups to the dentist are also important.
