In the first months of life, the teeth that will make up our mouth start to come through. A complete adult set has 32 teeth, yet most people don’t know the different types of teeth or what each one does.
Types of teeth
- Incisors. We have 8 of them, and they are characterised by their sharp edges, which allow them to cut food. They sit at the front and centre of the mouth: 4 in the lower jaw and 4 in the upper jaw.
- Canines. There are 4 of them, two at the top and two at the bottom. Often called eye teeth or fangs, they are pointed and sharp. They tear food and make chewing easier.
- Premolars. There are 8 premolars: 4 at the top and 4 at the bottom. Their job is to crush food and make it easier to swallow. They are shaped like molars, only smaller.
- Molars. These are the most numerous teeth: 12 in total, 6 at the top and 6 at the bottom. They have the widest chewing surface and do the same job as the premolars. They include the wisdom teeth, which tend to cause the most pain.
Functions
- Chewing. Teeth are essential for chewing: if we lose a tooth, we can’t break food down properly and indigestion or aerophagia (swallowing air) may appear, which can slow down digestion. That is why it is a good idea to replace missing teeth, for example with dental implants.
- Speech. Teeth play a very important role in speech, as we need all of them to communicate properly. If a tooth is missing or some teeth are out of position, pronunciation and expression can be affected.
- Appearance. Your smile says a lot about you. Well-cared-for teeth improve your image and help you feel confident with other people.
- Facial expression. When we smile, the first thing we show is our teeth. There is a big difference between smiling with all your teeth and smiling with one missing. Teeth have a strong influence on the shape of the face, so a happy face is not the same with all your teeth as without them.
How teeth develop
Our teeth go through several stages, from the first tooth coming through until the set is complete.
- Primary. These are the first teeth to appear, better known as “baby” or “milk” teeth. There are 20 of them. The first ones come through at around 6 months of age and are gradually lost between the ages of 6 and 12, when the permanent teeth appear.
- Mixed. This is the stage when the mouth has both baby teeth and permanent teeth. Permanent teeth need more care, so childhood is the ideal time for teaching children the importance of oral hygiene.
- Permanent. This is the adult stage, when all the teeth are permanent. The set is complete at around 18 years of age, when the wisdom teeth also come through, making 32 teeth in total.
Knowing your teeth helps you look after them better. If you’d like to check the health of your teeth, book your appointment at Clínica Dental Acosta Cubero.
