Teeth Names (Diagram, Types, and Functions)

Teeth are essential not only for efficiently breaking down food through cutting, grinding, and mixing during the chewing process to facilitate smooth digestion but also play pivotal roles beyond mere food processing. Beyond their primary dietary function, teeth are instrumental in supporting respiratory and speech functions, significantly influencing facial structure and aesthetics, and facilitating the body’s mineral exchange processes.

Moreover, the state of your teeth and oral hygiene offers valuable insights into your overall health, acting as a mirror reflecting the general well-being of your entire body. Familiarizing yourself with the proper terminology for different types of teeth enhances your understanding of dental health’s critical role in maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Human teeth are divided into four main types, each with a specific function:

1. Incisors: The sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth (four upper, four lower) used for cutting food.

2. Canines (also known as cuspids): Pointed teeth beside the incisors used for tearing and ripping food.

3. Premolars (also known as bicuspids): Located next to the canines, used for crushing and grinding food.

4. Molars: Back teeth used for grinding and chewing food, including the wisdom teeth, which are the last molars at the back of the mouth.

Adult and Child Teeth Chart

The following table will help you understand better:

Tooth Type	Adults (Permanent Teeth)	Children (Primary Teeth)
Incisors	8	4
Canines	4	2
Premolars	8	0
Molars	12	4

Our mouths have different kinds of teeth, and each type has its own job. Kids have a set of teeth called baby teeth, which they lose as they grow up, and then adult teeth come in. Here you will find names of teeth and their usage –

Incisors

You have eight incisor teeth in the front of your mouth. Four are on the top and four are on the bottom. Incisors look like small chisels because of their sharp edges. They are great for biting into food. Function: Incisors are the teeth that are used for cutting. The main use of incisors is for biting and shearing. For example, when you eat an apple, you use your incisor teeth.

Incisors

When a kid is about six months old, their incisors usually start to come in first. The grown-up set of incisors comes in when they are between six and eight years old.

Canines 

Next to your incisors, you have four canine teeth. There are two canines on the top of your mouth and two on the bottom. Canines are pointed and sharp, perfect for tearing food apart. Baby canines usually start to show up when a child is between 16 and 20 months old. First, the top canines come in, and then the bottom ones start to grow.

Functions: Canine teeth help you tear into foods like meat and crunchy vegetables. Sometimes, people call canines “eye teeth” because of their position directly under your eyes.

Canines

When it comes to adult canines, the bottom ones come in first, around the age of nine. The top canines come in later, between the ages of eleven and twelve. These teeth are really important for helping you eat by tearing your food.

Premolars

You have eight premolars in your mouth, four on the top and four on the bottom, right next to your canines. Premolars are not as big as your canines and incisors. They help you eat by crushing and grinding food into small pieces, making it easier to swallow. Premolars have a flat top with ridges, perfect for this job.

Function: Premolar teeth have features of both canines and molars. They help you tear, crush and grind food into smaller pieces.

Adults have premolars, but babies and little kids don’t. Instead, kids have baby molar teeth that the premolars replace later on. Most of the time, premolars start to come in when a person is about ten years old.

Molars

Your twelve molars are the largest and most powerful teeth in your mouth. On the top, there are six, and on the bottom, there are also six. The primary eight molars are occasionally separated into your 6-year molars and your 12-year molars, each of which is dependent on the normal age at which they come into being.

Functions: Molars are your main chewing teeth, they’re good for crushing and grinding up your food.

Your molars possess a vast surface area, which enables them to crush up food effectively. Your tongue is responsible for bringing food to the back of your mouth when you consume food. The next step is for your molars to break the meal down into bits that are more manageable for you to swallow.

Wisdom teeth

Molars include four wisdom teeth, which are the last teeth to come in at the back of your mouth. They usually show up when you are between 17 and 25 years old. Another name for wisdom teeth is third molars.

Function: Wisdom teeth were necessary to grind these foods for proper digestion. 

Wisdom Teeth

Sometimes, there’s not enough room in someone’s mouth for these new teeth. When this happens, the wisdom teeth can get stuck under the gums, a problem called being impacted. This means they can’t grow in properly because there’s no space. If your mouth is too crowded for your wisdom teeth, you might need to have them extracted, or taken out.

Functions of Human Teeth

Our teeth have important jobs that help us eat and talk. Each type of tooth has a special role in helping us eat different kinds of food and speak. Here are the main functions of human teeth:

• Biting and Cutting – The incisors at the front of your mouth are sharp. They help you bite into food like apples or carrots.
• Tearing – The canines, which are pointy teeth next to the incisors, help you tear food, like meat.
• Crushing and Grinding –The premolars and molars are bigger and have flat surfaces. They crush and grind food into small pieces, making it easier to swallow.
• Speaking –Teeth also help us talk clearly. They work with the tongue and lips to help us make sounds.
• Supporting Facial Structure – Teeth give shape to your face and support your lips and cheeks.

How many teeth do Babies have?

Babies start with no teeth. But by the time they are about 6 months old, they begin to get their first baby teeth. Most babies will have all 20 of their baby teeth by the time they are 3 years old. These teeth are very important for them to learn how to eat solid food and start talking.

How many teeth do Adults have?

Adults usually have 32 teeth in their mouths. These include different types of teeth like incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. The last to come in are the wisdom teeth, which there are four of. Sometimes, adults might have fewer than 32 teeth if their wisdom teeth are removed or if they lose any teeth.

Conclusion 

Your 32 teeth are very important for biting and crushing food. They also help you talk clearly. Teeth are strong, but they need good care to last a long time. There are four main types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each type has a special job in helping you chew food. These are the teeth names that make up the human teeth system. Your dentist keeps track of the names and numbers of your teeth. This helps them notice any changes in your oral health.

Even if your teeth are healthy, you need to take care of them. Brushing and flossing every day and visiting the dentist regularly are key to keeping your teeth strong and healthy.

Teeth names (Diagram, Types, and Functions) – FAQs

What are the 5 names of teeth?

Teeth names are :

• Incisors
• Canines
• Premolars
• Molars
• Wisdom teeth

What are 4 types of teeth?

Types of human teeth are :

• Incisors
• Canines
• Premolars
• Molars

What are the 32 teeth called?

Adults usually have 32 teeth in their mouths. These include different types of teeth like incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

How many types of teeth do humans have and what are their functions?

Humans have four types of teeth, each with a specific function. Incisors are the sharp, chisel-shaped front teeth used for cutting food. Canines are pointed and are used for tearing and grasping food. Premolars, or bicuspids, have a flat surface for crushing and grinding food. Molars also have a large, flat surface for grinding food.

At what age do baby teeth usually start to appear?

Baby teeth, or primary teeth, typically start to emerge around 6 months of age. The timing can vary from child to child, but most will have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the age of 3.

When do permanent teeth start to replace baby teeth?

Permanent teeth usually start to replace baby teeth around the age of 6 and continue to emerge until about age 21. Adults have 32 permanent teeth, including the wisdom teeth.

What are wisdom teeth, and why do some people have them removed?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the back of the mouth, and they typically emerge in the late teens or early twenties. They are often removed because they can cause overcrowding, get impacted, or emerge at an angle, leading to pain and dental issues.

How can I tell if I have a cavity in one of my teeth?

Signs of a cavity can include toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold, visible holes or pits in the teeth, and pain when biting. However, some cavities may not have symptoms until they are more advanced, so regular dental check-ups are important.

What is the difference between a premolar and a molar?

Premolars are smaller than molars and are located between the canines and molars. They have one or two cusps (points) and are used for tearing and crushing food. Molars are larger, have more cusps, and are found at the back of the mouth, used primarily for grinding food.

Are there any special care requirements for different types of teeth?

While all teeth require regular brushing and flossing, molars and premolars may need extra attention due to their grooved surfaces where plaque can accumulate. Using a fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with a smaller head can help reach and clean these areas effectively. Regular dental check-ups are also important for professional cleaning and to monitor any potential issues with all types of teeth.