So, what’s that tooth?

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A complete set of adult teeth is made up of 32 individual teeth, and within this there are 4 different types of teeth all designed to do a slightly different job when it comes to biting, chewing and shredding food.

Incisors

Starting at the very front of the mouth, we have the incisors. Also known as the cutting teeth, we have 8 incisors (4 at the top, 4 on the bottom) which are flat and sharp in shape, and designed to slice through food. All incisors have a single conical root, which is long and planted deep into the mouth.

Canines

The 4 canine teeth we have as adults are the strongest teeth in our mouths, as they are designed to tear, shred and rip tougher foods like meat. On either side of our upper and lower incisors, our canine teeth are conical in shape to help grip and pull food, and also have the longest roots which are again long and conical in shape.

Premolars

Next along in the mouth, situated next to each of our 4 canine teeth, are our 2 premolars, 8 in total. Premolars, also known as bicuspids, are a cross between canines and molars, and are designed to both rip and tear (like canines) and chew and grind (like molars). All premolars have a single root, apart from the first premolars on the upper jaw which have 2 roots.

Molars

Adults have up to 12 molar teeth (4 being the furthest back known as Wisdom Teeth, which not all adults have), which are situated at the back of the mouth. Designed to chew and grind, molars are the flattest and largest teeth in our mouths, and on the upper jaw have 3 roots, and 2 roots on the bottom jaw.

With all teeth playing an equally important job when it comes to consuming food, it’s important to make sure you brush and clean each tooth as thoroughly and carefully as the rest. Have you considered the blotting technique?