While most of us simply take for granted the fact that we have teeth in our mouths, it’s important to know that there are different types of teeth in our mouths, and that each type has a very specific role. Knowing the role each type of tooth plays will help us in our practice of good oral hygiene and health.
All of our teeth play a vital role in how we chew and digest food. Additionally, our speech is impacted by our teeth. And finally, our overall health is impacted by the health of our teeth.
How Teeth Grow and Develop
All teeth develop in stages. Each person will have a slightly different timeline in the growth of their teeth, but here are some common facts about growth and development:
• Tooth development begins in vitro (meaning while the baby is still in the mother’s womb)
• The crown grows first, followed by the roots
• Primary teeth will last for about six years before adult teeth begin to come in
• When teeth erupt, they tend to do so in parallel, meaning if a tooth comes in on the left, the same tooth on the right will come in around the same time.
Primary and Adult Teeth
All of us will have two sets of teeth in our lifetimes. As newborns, we do not have any visible teeth, however at around six months of age, baby teeth (otherwise known as primary, temporary or deciduous teeth) will ‘erupt’ from underneath the gums. These primary teeth will continue to come in up until about two and a half years of age.
Primary teeth have several roles as follows:
• Help in the development of speech
• Help in learning how to chew properly
• Help guide permanent teeth as they come in underneath the primary teeth
• Provide an indicator of any predisposition to tooth decay, so that the parents can practice and teach good oral hygiene habits early in the child’s life
At around six years of age, the adult teeth will start to come in. During this phase, the primary teeth will gradually be replaced by the adult teeth. Adult teeth are much larger than primary teeth, and take considerably longer to grow.
What Teeth Are Made Of?
The teeth are comprised of two parts – the crown and the root. The crown is the part of the tooth that is visible within the mouth, and the root is under the gum line and not visible within the mouth.
Each tooth is made up of the following four materials:
Enamel
Enamel is the material that covers the crown of the tooth. It is harder than bone and acts as a protector of the tooth, helping to prevent tooth decay, and to protect the dentin. Enamel is visible inside the mouth.
Dentin
Dentin is the material underneath the tooth enamel. While slightly softer than enamel, dentin also acts as a protector, helping to prevent decay and infection. Dentin isn’t normally visible inside the mouth, however certain types of decay and gum disease can lead to exposure.
Cementum
Cementum is the material that covers the tooth roots. Cementum helps to anchor the tooth to the jaw bone. Cementum is usually covered by the gums and isn’t normally visible inside the mouth, however certain types of decay and gum disease can lead to exposure.
Pulp
Pulp is the material at the center of the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. This soft tissue delivers nutrients and signals to your teeth.
Types of Teeth
There are five different types of adult teeth in our months, and each plays a special role. Here is a brief description of each type and the role it plays:
Incisors
Incisor teeth are the first teeth to develop. These teeth at the front of your mouth with four on the top and four on the bottom. Each arch (top and bottom) contains two central and two lateral incisors.The main purpose of incisor teeth is to cut and bite food with their thin edges.
Canines
Canine teeth, sometimes referred to as Cuspids, are the next teeth to develop after incisors. There are four canines in the mouth, with two on each arch.
Canines are the sharpest teeth and are used for holding and grasping food, and ripping and tearing food into pieces.
Bicuspids
Bicuspids, also known as pre-molars, come in after the canines. There are four Bicuspids on each arch.
Bicuspids are used to hold food like Canines, but they are also able to crush food.
Third Molars
Third molars, also known as wisdom teeth are the last to develop. There are two third molars on each arch.
The purpose of the third molars is to grind food.
In most cases, third molars will come in around the late tweens to early twenties if they come in at all (in some people, these teeth never actually develop). It’s important to note that many people end up having the third molars removed due to overcrowding, abscess, infection and impaction. If left in place, they can negatively impact the other teeth by causing shifting and damage to the other teeth’s surfaces. As well, these teeth often will not fully erupt. Incomplete eruption can lead to bacteria forming around the tooth, which in turn leads to infection and abscess.
Because third molars aren’t necessary for the other teeth to function properly, and basically do the same job as Bicuspids, it’s usually advisable to have them extracted at the first sign of problems.
Summary
Your mouth contains a variety of different types of teeth, each with their own special role in how you chew and digest food. They also affect speech, and overall appearance.
Knowing the role of each of these teeth and the importance each tooth provides in overall health will provide encouragement to practice good dental hygiene which includes flossing! The more you know and take care of your teeth, the less time you will need to spend in the dentist’s office and you’ll avoid the need for dentures and dental implants in your latter years of life!. And we all agree that is a GOOD thing!
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