Count the number of teeth in your mouth? If the number is less than 32, you have a lot more wisdom coming your way. A friend’s 9-year-old daughter, when asked to brush her teeth before going to bed, asked her bewildered parents if they knew the different types of teeth in the mouth. My friend and her spouse had no answer. They somehow managed to make their daughter brush her teeth and go to bed. That night, they looked up the categories of teeth on the Internet. Children these days are very inquisitive and I appreciate them for this. However, I also sympathize with parents who find themselves in the spot quite often.

Are you one of those who have no clue about the types of teeth in your mouth? This post is just right for you. Let’s start with imagining your mouth has four parts: right upper jaw, left upper jaw, right lower jaw, and left lower jaw. The eight front teeth, two in each part of the mouth, form the incisors. These are the teeth you use to bite your food with. Incisors are also known as cutting teeth.

Right next to the incisors, in each part of the mouth, there is a tooth called the canine. This tooth is a little taller than the rest of the teeth. We have a total of four canines in our mouth. Canine teeth are conical in shape and very strong. If you have ever used your teeth to tear off something, you must have used one of these teeth.

Immediately after the canine lie two teeth, in each part of the mouth, which are used to help chew our food. These teeth are referred to as pre-molars. There are eight pre-molars in our mouth.

Right next to the pre-molars, you have molars. There are three molars in each part of the mouth, making a total of 12. The molars complete the chewing process before the food is swallowed and passed down into the body. They are the strongest of all teeth.

If there is something else your children have been asking you (on teeth, gums, and dental health, of course!), ask us!

Tags: teeth, types of teeth