How Many Types of Teeth

Introduction

Teeth are a very important part of the human body, not just because they help us smile. Teeth are responsible for helping us in the process of mastication. Mastication is the process which helps break down complex foods into simple food mixed in with saliva. This helps the food pass through easily through the food pipe or the esophagus.The first step towards digestion is also taken at this place. We all have noticed by now that only some of our teeth are the same. Each of them is shaped differently. This is because they each have a specific purpose. Let's look into what makes our teeth and the different types we have in our mouths.

Anatomy of Teeth

Primary studies have confirmed that teeth are primarily made of the compound Calcium. There are two parts of teeth: the crown and the root. The crown is the white exterior visible to you in the mirror. The root is the part of the tooth which keeps it firmly anchored into the gums.

The tooth's crown also has layers that can be divided into Enamel, Dentine, Cementum and Dental Pulp. Let's learn a little more about them.

• Enamel - It is the outermost layer of the crown and is responsible for protecting the tooth from physical or chemical harm.

• Dentine - The second most layer forms the dental tissue of our teeth. They have the same structure as bones. However, unlike bones, they don't have blood vessels running through them.

• Cementum - It is the tissue which covers the roots’ surface. Its primary function is to support and affix the tooth to the jawbone.

• Dental Pulp - At the center of every tooth is the dental pulp. This center is a mix of loose tissue, including nerves and blood vessels. Dental pulp plays a very important role. If the rest of the layer cannot keep infection out, then the dental pulp gets into action. It does so by attacking the infection with inflammatory and antibacterial responses.

Dental Formula

There is an easy method used to tell people how many different types are there in the mouth of a particular species. This method also explains the position of the teeth. This system is known as Dental Formula.

In this method, the number of teeth is represented numerically. Look at the following example.

2123/2123

The above number signifies the dental formula of an adult human. In the formula

• The mouth is divided into four equal parts or quadrants; upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right.

• In 2123/2123, the first number signifies the number of teeth in one quadrant of the upper jaw. Similarly, the number after the backslash signifies the number of teeth in one of the lower quadrants.

• The four numbers are in order. From the beginning, the numbers signify the number of incisors, canines, premolars and molars.

Putting all the above together, 2132/2132 means that an adult human has 2 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars and 3 molars in each upper and lower quadrant,

Types of Teeth

In total, an adult human has 32 teeth (16 in the upper jaw and 16 in the lower jaw) 4 of which are wisdom teeth. Based on their position and shape, our teeth have different functions and are divided into 4 types. Lets us take a look

• Incisors

An adult human has 8 incisors in his mouth, 4 in the upper jaw and 4 in the lower jaw. they are present in the front of the teeth. They have sharp edges, perfect for cutting food into smaller pieces.

• Canines

Canines, also known as cuspids, are the pointed teeth in our mouths. We have 4 canines (two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw). In humans, canines have shortened down to manageable sizes. However, if you look at carnivorous animals like lions, bears and wolves, they have long canines, which are generally referred to as fangs.

Canines are generally thinner with sharp ends. Their primary function is to tear food into shreds to make them easy to chew. Food with fibrous consistency, like meat, requires the use of canines.

• Premolars

Premolars, or bicuspids, are a set of teeth which are found right after the canines. Adult humans have 8 premolars (4 in the upper jaw and 4 in the lower jaw). Rather than sharp edges, premolars have flat surfaces with a few ridges. They are perfectly designed to crush and grind food into smaller pieces.

• Molars

Molars are the last row of teeth in our mouth. Humans have 12 molars (6 in the upper jaw and 6 in the lower jaw). These are the largest teeth in our mouth with a large surface area. They are perfectly built for grinding and mashing food. Wisdom teeth are part of the molars.

What are Baby Teeth?

Human beings are considered diphyodont. This means that we have two sets of teeth in our lifetime. In the early years, we had milk teeth or baby teeth.

Baby teeth emerge when the child is about 5 months old and complete the set by the age of 3. They have 20 teeth in total; 8 incisors, 4 canines and 8 molars. Babies don't have premolars. When the child reaches the age of 6, they start to lose their baby teeth.

Good Dental Care

Following are some of the steps you can take to take better care of your teeth

• Brush your teeth twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night before bed.

• Floss your teeth at least once a day, preferably after brushing.

• Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.

• Have regular checkups with a dentist.

Notes

• An adult human has 32 teeth, including 4 wisdom teeth. They are not the same. They are of four types; incisors, canines, molars and premolars.

• We don't. We have milk or baby teeth when we are young. When 6 years old, we start to lose our baby teeth as permanent teeth start to emerge.

• Teeth help us speak and form words. But their primary purpose is to break down food into swallowable pieces.

• Incisors, the front teeth, are responsible for cutting food due to their sharp edges.

• Teeth are considered to be one of the strongest parts of our body.