What is the Purpose of Each Type of Tooth?
There are many components that make up the mouth, such as the gums, tongue, and salivary glands. However, it is the teeth that seem to get the most attention when people want to achieve or maintain a healthy mouth. Even though all 32 teeth are made out of the same material (a combination of enamel, dentin, blood vessels, nerves, and bone), they are divided into four separate categories with specific purposes for each type.
Incisors – The mouth contains 8 incisors, which are located in the very front of the mouth. They are the sharpest type of teeth and are excellent for cutting up food while moving it toward the back of the mouth.
Canines – There are 4 canine teeth, located at the corners of the mouth. The pointy tips of these teeth help them tear and break apart food.
Bicuspids – The 8 bicuspids are situated just behind the canine teeth. They are crown-shaped with two points, which enables them to easily grind and crush food.
Molars – Located in the very back of the mouth, the molars are the largest, strongest teeth and have many ridges. These 8 teeth are used to completely grind and shred food before it is swallowed.
Wisdom Teeth – The wisdom teeth are located in the very back of the mouth and grow in when a person is around 17 to 21 years old. They have no real purpose and typically have to be removed because they may cause discomfort due to overcrowding the rest of the teeth. Although there are usually 4 wisdom teeth, the exact number varies from person to person. In rare cases, some individuals are lucky enough to be born without any wisdom teeth and do not have to worry about undergoing surgery to remove them.
If you are in the Beverly Hills area and interested in improving the look of your teeth, please call (310) 273-0111 today. Dr. Sands is a board certified cosmetic dentist and can help you with whatever dental problems you may have. His expertise in the field of cosmetic dentistry regularly brings some of Hollywood’s most popular stars to his practice.