Dentist Virginia Beach Do You Understand the Types Of Human Teeth

The human mouth contains four different types of teeth. Each type aids in the digestion process by chewing and grinding the food. The easy identification of teeth can be done by using the size, shape and location of the teeth.

Human teeth begin developing in utero, or during pregnancy, and children have a primary set of 20 "milk teeth" until about six years of age. From the second wave of production, humans develop 32 permanent teeth which consist of four different types, each with its own shape and particular function.

Baby teeth are made up of 20 teeth of five types. 32 permanent teeth of eight types make up the teeth content in adults mouths.

Incisors
In the front part and the center of the mouth, are located a total of eight incisors, or two sets of four on the upper and lower jaw. The middle pair on the top and bottom are called central incisors, while the teeth on each side of the pair are named lateral incisors. Food is cut into chewable pieces by the "chopping" motion of the flat, broad and chisel-like narrow edges of the incisors. Dentists also call incisors the sharpest teeth designed to move the food inward.

Canines
Humans would have a canine in each quadrant of the mouth if the layout of the teeth was divided into two sections on both the upper and lower jaw making a total of four canines. Known as cuspids, canine teeth are located on each side of the incisors. These sharp and pointed teeth are anchored in the jaw by a long root which gives the canines stability needed for ripping, tearing and piercing motions. For consumption of tough foods like meat, the pointed surface is necessary.

Premolars
Eight premolars in total are found behind the canine teeth with two premolars on each side of the jaw. Also known as bicuspids, premolars have cusps on top of broader surfaces that allow for grinding and chewing. Premolars act as a combination of a canine and a molar because in addition to a broad chewing surface, according to Aetna, they also have sharp points on the surface for piercing and ripping food.

Molars
Most of the chewing process happens in the back of the jaw by use of the molar teeth, after the food is bitten off with the use of incisors or the canines. Molars have a flattened surface, making them the largest teeth, and several cusps that chew, crush and grind food to the smallest particle possible before swallowing. Humans have three molars in each quadrant of the jaw, with a combined total of 12. Their location in the mouth give molars numbered names: first molars are adjacent to second premolars towards the back of the mouth, with second and third molars following consecutively. Though at times the wisdom teeth do not come out at all, they are the third molars and are the last to erupt.

For their own reasons; many adults choose to have their wisdom teeth removed. The teeth may not all be able to fit in the mouth due to a lack of space. Many people will experience jaw pain and headaches as their wisdom teeth are growing.