How Well Do You Know Your Teeth?

We need teeth as it plays a vital role in shaping your mouth, your entire face, and also to chew. You use them for smiling, which creates first impressions on others. Still, most of us don’t even know which tooth is a canine or which is an incisor. Take a moment and have a look at the four different types of teeth present in your mouth.

Primary vs. Secondary Teeth

Humans have two sets of teeth that include the primary teeth and secondary teeth. The primary teeth usually include the “baby teeth” as it grows when you are about six months old. They grow in by the time we are three years of age. The secondary teeth are the “adult teeth,” which begin to grow when the baby teeth fall out. This process usually occurs between the ages of six and twelve.

The types of teeth 

Incisors:  These include sets of eight teeth that are at very front of your mouth and are used for biting off pieces of food. There are four incisors on the bottom and four on top.

Canines:  These are sharp, pointed teeth used for ripping and tearing food. There are four canine teeth, two on top and two on the bottom, one to either side of our incisors.

Bicuspids:  Sometimes, these teeth are also called premolars, that help in chewing and grinding our food. There are four bicuspids, two on the top and two on the bottom, one on either side of the canine teeth.

Molars:  These are flat-topped teeth used for chewing and grinding teeth harder or tougher foods. We have four molars on top and four on the bottom, two on each side. Molars are often affected by tooth decay, as it is quite hard to clean them because of their location at the rear of the mouth.

Many people also grow third molars and are also known as “wisdom teeth.” Four wisdom teeth erupt, one on each side, top, and bottom as well. Wisdom teeth fail in emerging because of overcrowding and end up causing pain and infection. These teeth are also susceptible to tooth decay because of their location set deep in the mouth.

Now that you know about your teeth call us or schedule an online appointment with Dr. Kossi for a consultation at our offices in Canyon Country and Valencia, CA.