While many of us don’t put in much thought to the different kinds of teeth we have, there are a few types of teeth that we grow from childhood to adulthood. In the grand scheme of things, every tooth has the same purpose…chomp, chomp, chomp!
Knowing the purpose of every tooth you have can make you understand the significance of having different kinds of teeth inside your mouth. From chewing your food to helping you smile and talk, the Hummingbird Dental team (one of the best dental offices in Richmond Hill) will explain how your teeth perform a vital role in the way you lead your life.
Today, we take a deeper dive into the different kinds of teeth we have and their uses. While there may be some variance in the number of different types of teeth (depending on which dentist you speak to), we grow four different kinds of teeth from childhood to adulthood:
- Incisors
- Canines
- Premolars
- Molars
We have four different kinds of teeth. Let’s find out more about them (and their importance) below.
1-Incisors
Our incisors are the first teeth that we grow after our primary or baby teeth. If you want an amazing smile, you need to keep your incisors in top shape. There are eight incisors in your mouth, four at the top, and four at the bottom.
Incisors have a narrow-edge, and they are perfect for cutting through things.
2-Canines
Canines are the closest link in our mouth to a carnivorous predator, like a wolf or a tiger. It’s pretty easy to see where they get their name from! Even though you have teeth like a predator, these teeth are also only meant to cut through food. You can see a human’s canine teeth start to appear when they are approximately ten years old.
3-Premolars
Our first premolars are teeth that start to come in when we’re around ten years old. Premolars are next to the canines.
4-Molars
The molars in our mouth are the mouth’s core masticators. We use our molars mostly for chewing.
Simply stated, molars are big teeth with a flat surface. They are used to chew food into small pieces that can be swallowed easily. You may also be interested to know why dentists categorize molars differently.
Third molars, or wisdom teeth, are usually the last teeth a human grows. Many people often get their wisdom teeth removed. These teeth are very far back in the jaw; in many cases, if you don’t get them removed, they can cause problems in your mouth.
The Bottom Line
With the help of the Hummingbird Dental team, you can make sure that all of the teeth in your mouth stay healthy and in great shape. It’s vital that you understand that every tooth needs to be cared for. Whether you’re smiling, talking, or chewing, every tooth in your mouth plays an important role to help you do what you need and want to do!
