The Four Types of Teeth

Dec 26th, 2014
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

When you think about teeth, you may not naturally think about the fact that there are different types of teeth.  As you run your tongue along the tops of your teeth, you can feel the changes in size and smoothness.  What you probably don’t know is that there are four different types of teeth and they each have distinctive functions.

Incisors – These are the top and bottom four teeth in the center of your mouth.  These eight teeth are flat and can often be sharp, which is why you might primarily use them for biting into food.

Canines – The canines are the teeth to the right and left of your incisors.  These are the sharpest of your teeth and best used for grasping and tearing food.  The canine teeth also have very long roots due to their size.

Premolars – These teeth are located behind your canines. There are two on the top and two on the bottom. They are larger and have a flat chewing surface, which makes them best for crushing food.

Molars – The molars are the last teeth towards the back and are the largest teeth in your mouth.  These teeth have bigger, flatter chewing surfaces and make chewing and grinding food into smaller pieces easier.

Each one of your teeth assists to make eating possible.  It’s important to take proper care of your teeth to prevent cavities and decay.  Make sure to brush twice daily and floss regularly.  Also remember to schedule a cleaning every six months to check to see if your teeth are cavity free.

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