Four types of teeth (incisors, canine, premolars, and molars) are what humans use to cut, tear and grind their food!
Your teeth and the structure of your mouth play important roles in your ability to eat well, speak clearly, and stay healthy!
Most of us take our teeth for granted … until something goes wrong. Our teeth help us chew and digest food, play an important role in speech, and impact our health overall. And by brushing up on your dental health knowledge, you’ll be taking the first step toward giving your teeth the attention they deserve.
Okay, what are the four types of teeth?
Incisors – Your incisors are eight teeth in the front center of your mouth (four on both bottom and top). These are typically the first adult teeth that a child will get, coming in when the child is between six and eight years old. Incisors are the teeth that you use to bite into your food.
Canines – Your canines are the next teeth that develop in your mouth. You have four of them and they are your sharpest teeth, used for tearing apart food.
Premolars – Premolars are used for tearing and crushing food. Unlike your incisors and canines, premolars have a flat biting surface. You have eight premolars in total.
Molars – Your molars are your largest teeth. Their function is similar to that of the premolars, to grind, tear, and crush food. Molars have a large flat biting surface which makes them perfect for this job.
The Bottom Line
Your 32 teeth are essential for biting and grinding up food. You also need your teeth to help you speak clearly. While your teeth are solidly built, they won’t last a lifetime unless you take good care of them.
To keep your teeth in good shape, floss and brush regularly, and follow up with us for professional dental cleanings every six months. Remember, we’re your NO FEAR, NO PAIN dentists, and we are a family practice that looks out for our patients as if they were our own family. Give Dr. John Cancelliere and Dr. Sam Cancelliere a call today at The Dentistry in Naples at 239-566-2422!
How much do you know about your pearly whites? You can get all the info on the four types here, on the Everyday Health site.
