Understanding Your Teeth: A Guide to Types and Functions

The four primary types of teeth, each serving a specific function in the mouth, are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Here's a further breakdown of each:

1. Incisors:

- Located in the front of the mouth, both upper and lower jaws.

- Four central and four lateral incisors.

- Function: Biting, cutting, and shearing of food.

2. Canines:

- Also called cuspids, located on each side of the incisors.

- Two upper and two lower canines.

- Function: Tearing, gripping, and holding food.

3. Premolars:

- Located behind the canines, also called bicuspids.

- Four premolars on each side, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw.

- Function: Crushing and grinding of food.

4. Molars:

- Located at the back of the mouth, used for chewing.

- Four molars in each jaw, with the last four being known as wisdom teeth.

- Function: Grinding and chewing food.

Wisdom Teeth (Third Molars):

Wisdom teeth are the last four molars that typically emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood. Due to limited space in the mouth, wisdom teeth may cause discomfort and often require extraction.