Teeth Types and Their Functions

This concept will make students aware of the types of teeth and their functions. Through this concept, the students will be introduced to different types of teeth in humans. The students will know the difference between milk teeth and permanent teeth.

After reading the concept, students will be able to:

Know about different types of teeth such as canines, premolar teeth, molar teeth, and incisor teeth.
Answer what are wisdom teeth.
Understand the functions of teeth
State the dental formula of humans.

Each concept is explained to class 4 students using descriptions, illustrations, and concept maps. After you go through a concept, assess your learning by solving the two printable worksheets given at the end of the page.

Download the worksheets and check your answers with the worksheet solutions for the concept of the Types of Teeth and Their Functions and its functions provided in PDF format.

There are five different types of teeth. Each of them has a specific location and function.

Types of Teeth:

Incisors: The front teeth of our mouth are called incisors. We have a total of eight incisors in the mouth.

Canines: Total of four canines are present in the mouth. They are situated next to the lateral incisors—two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw.

Premolars: Total of eight premolars are present in the mouth, two pairs in the lower jaw and two pairs in the upper jaw. Premolars are located right behind the canines. They are also termed the first and second premolars from the front to the back.

Molars: Molars are the posterior-most teeth in our mouth. There are twelve molar teeth—six in the upper jaw and six in the lower jaw. Molars are located next to the second premolars. They are also termed the first, second and third molars from the front to the back.

Wisdom teeth: All four third molars do not develop properly in many people. They are known as wisdom teeth.

Arrangement of teeth inside the oral cavity:

Functions of Teeth:

Types of Teeth	Functions
Incisors	All incisors possess a single root, and they have a sharp edge for biting. Incisors help in biting and cutting food.
Canines	All the canines have one cusp and one root. Their basic function is to tear flesh.
Premolars	Premolars have 3-4 cusps. The upper first premolars have double roots, but the rest of the premolars have a single root. Their function is to crush food.
Molars	Molars have 4-5 cusps. All molars in the upper jaw have three roots, and all molars in the lower jaw have two roots. The basic function of molar teeth is grinding food and making a paste of it. They help in chewing.

New Words

Cusp: A prominent curve on the surface of a tooth.

Posterior: Further back, near the end.

Lateral: Located on one side or other of the body or an organ.

Did You Know?

Canines have the longest root of all the different types of teeth.
As human beings have five different types of teeth, they are called heterodonts.
Wisdom teeth are so named because they are the last ones to appear, and it is assumed that people get wise by that time.
The blue whale is considered the largest mammal on earth, but surprisingly, it does not have teeth. So, it just eats tiny shrimps.