Teeth Names: Shape And Function Of Four Types Of Teeth - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeWhat Are the Different Types of Teeth Called?

Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Stephanie Watson — Updated on April 20, 2023

Diagram
Incisors
Canines
Premolars
Molars
Takeaway

Most adults have 32 teeth. Different groups of teeth are used to process food in various ways. For instance, molars are used to grind food, while incisors are used to bite it. Your teeth are also essential for speaking.

Your teeth are one of the strongest parts of your body. They’re made from proteins such as collagen, and minerals such as calcium. In addition to helping you chew through even the toughest foods, they also help you speak clearly.

Adult teeth are called permanent or secondary teeth:

8 incisors
4 canines, also called cuspids
8 premolars, also called bicuspids
12 molars, including 4 wisdom teeth

Children have just 20 teeth, called primary, temporary, or milk teeth. They include the same 10 teeth in the upper and lower jaw:

4 incisors
2 canines
4 molars

Primary teeth start to erupt through the gums when a baby is about 6 months old. The lower incisors are usually the first primary teeth to come in. Most kids have all 20 of their primary teeth by age 3.

Children tend to lose their primary teeth between the ages of 6 and 12. They’re then replaced by permanent teeth. Molars are usually the first permanent teeth to come in. Most people have all of their permanent teeth in place by age 21.

Keep reading to learn more about the different types of teeth, including their shape and function.

Diagram

What are incisors?

Your eight incisor teeth are located in the front part of your mouth. You have four of them in your upper jaw and four in your lower jaw.

Incisors are shaped like small chisels. They have sharp edges that help you bite into food. Whenever you sink your teeth into something, such as an apple, you use your incisor teeth.

Incisors are usually the first set of teeth to erupt, appearing at about 6 months old. The adult set grows in between the ages of 6 and 8.

What are canines?

Your four canine teeth sit next to the incisors. You have two canines on the top of your mouth and two on the bottom.

Canines have a sharp, pointy surface for tearing food.

The first baby canines come in between the ages of 16 months and 20 months. The upper canines grow in first, followed by the lower canines.

Lower adult canines emerge in the opposite way. First, the lower canines poke through the gums around age 9, then the upper canines come in at age 11 or 12.

What are premolars?

Your eight premolars sit next to your canines. There are four premolars on top, and four on the bottom.

Premolars are bigger than canines and incisors. They have a flat surface with ridges for crushing and grinding food into smaller pieces to make it easier to swallow.

Baby molar teeth are replaced by adult premolars. Infants and young children don’t have premolars because these teeth don’t start to come in until around age 10.

What are molars?

Your 12 molars are your biggest and strongest teeth. You have six on the top and six on the bottom. The main eight molars are sometimes divided into your 6-year and 12-year molars, based on when they typically grow in.

The large surface area of your molars helps them grind up food. When you eat, your tongue pushes food to the back of your mouth. Then, your molars break up the food into pieces small enough for you to swallow.

The molars include four wisdom teeth, which are the last set of teeth to come in. They usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25. Wisdom teeth are also called third molars.

Not everyone has enough room in their mouth for this last group of teeth. Sometimes, the wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning they’re stuck under the gums. This means they don’t have space to grow in. If you don’t have room for your wisdom teeth, you’ll likely have to have them removed.

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 professional dental cleanings every six months.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Anatomy of teeth. (n.d.).http://www.padental.org/Online/Public/Children/Anatomy_of_Teeth.aspx
Bone and tooth materials. (2010).https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1796-bone-and-tooth-minerals
Dental Health Foundation Ireland. (n.d.). Toothtypes.https://www.dentalhealth.ie/children/toothdevelopment/types.html
Eruption charts. (n.d.).https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/e/eruption-charts
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Oral health: A windowto your overall health.https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475
Mouth and teeth. (2015).https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/mouth-teeth.html
Primary tooth development. (2012).https://www.mouthhealthy.org/~/media/MouthHealthy/Files/Kids_Section/ADAPrimaryToothDev_Eng.pdf?la=en
Your teeth. (2015).https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/teeth.html

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Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Stephanie Watson — Updated on April 20, 2023

Teeth Names: Shape And Function Of Four Types Of Teeth - Healthline

Diagram

What are incisors?

What are canines?

What are premolars?

What are molars?

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

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