Blog Post

Different Kinds of Teeth
Posted on 09/22/2016

Different Kinds of Teeth

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When a full set of teeth is grown in, an adult mouth has 32 teeth. But not all teeth are created equal! Each and every tooth is unique and is specially designed to fulfill specific functions in the mouth.


Working together, all your teeth give you a veritable toolkit for chewing and eating food. So let's take a look at the different kinds of teeth and what they do.


Four Types of Teeth

While all teeth are unique and specially designed, as a whole they fall into four general classification categories:


  • Incisors: These are the front teeth--four on top, four on the bottom. The incisors are straight and even, helping you bite into soft foods and tear off bite-sized chunks.​
  • Canines: Also called "eye teeth" because they sit directly under the eyes, canines are the sharp, pointed teeth that sit outside of your incisors. The canines are purposefully-built for piercing harder foods, using a sharp-pointed tip to break through tough surfaces.
  • Bicuspids: Also called pre-molars, are the two teeth sitting just outside the canines on either side. The bicuspids are still slightly sharp, making them good for biting, but also wider, which gives them the ability to tear off pieces of tough food.​
  • Molars: Last but not least are molars--the flat, knobbly teeth at the back of the mouth. The molars are wide and large with a corrugated chewing surface, making them perfect for mashing and grinding up food to prepare it for swallowing and ingestion.

Contact Your Amarillo, TX Kids Dentist

Altogether, the different types of teeth in your mouth work in harmony to chew your food, preparing it for digestion so you can best absorb the vital nutrients and minerals inside. That said, your teeth can only do their job if they're healthy, and that requires diligent care and regular cleanings at our Amarillo, TX office!

If you'd like to bring your child in for a routine cleaning or schedule an examination, please call us at 806-351-0008 or reach out to us at our contact page. We can't wait to hear from you, and help your children keep their teeth healthy and strong!