How much do you know about your teeth? Did you know you have four different kinds of teeth in your mouth? Each of the four kinds of teeth has a specific shape and function that allows you to eat all your favorite foods. Let’s take a look at the different shapes and functions of your teeth.
Incisors
Your incisors are located at the front of your mouth and have a sharp surface for biting and tearing into meats and dense foods. Children have eight incisors as well as adults. These are the first teeth that grow so infants will usually have incisors popping through the lower gums at around six months of age. This begins the teething stage. Without these sharp useful teeth, you would have quite a difficult time eating anything but soup.
Canines
Your canines are located at the corners of your dental arches. They are also sharp like incisors but have a ridged shape that allows them to grip and tear food. Canines make biting into hard foods like apples and pears a little bit easier. Both children and adults have four canine teeth.
Premolars
Unlike your sharp incisors and canines, your premolars are flat and wide which gives them the ability to crush hard food. Children will not have premolars until they gain their adult teeth.
Molars
Your molars are the largest teeth in your mouth. They have a wide flat surface for biting and are useful for chewing, crushing and grinding food. Children have eight molars, while adults have twelve.
Now that you know a little bit more about the different kinds of teeth in your mouth, make sure you’re taking care of them. All of your teeth should be inspected and cleaned professionally by a dentist at least every six months. To make your next dental appointment with either Dr. Zola Makrauer or Dr. Julie Miller, call Huntingdon Valley Dental Arts today.