Teeth are super important in our lives! They help us chew our food and give us bright, happy smiles. Let’s dive into the amazing world of teeth to learn about the different types, what they do, and some cool facts about them.
When babies are born, they have 20 tiny teeth hiding in their gums. These are called baby teeth or milk teeth. They usually start to pop out when a baby is between 6 to 12 months old. By the time a child is 2 or 3 years old, all their baby teeth have usually appeared. This is called teething.
As kids grow, around the ages of 5 to 6, these baby teeth start to fall out. This makes room for new, permanent teeth to grow. By the time someone is 12 or 13 years old, they usually have all their permanent teeth. But wait, there’s more! Between the ages of 17 and 25, some people get four more teeth called wisdom teeth, making a total of 32 teeth.
Our 32 permanent teeth are divided into five different types, each with a special job:
These are the eight teeth at the front of your mouth, four on the top and four on the bottom. Incisors are like little scissors that cut food into smaller pieces, making it easier to eat.
Next to the incisors are the canines, which are sharp and pointy. There are two on the top and two on the bottom. Canines are great for tearing food, especially things like meat.
Premolars, also called bicuspids, are next to the canines. They have flat tops with ridges and are perfect for crushing and grinding food. There are four premolars on each side of your mouth.
Molars are found at the back of your mouth. They are the strongest teeth and are used for grinding and chewing food really well. There are four molars on the top and four on the bottom.
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last to come in. Sometimes they can cause problems because they don’t have enough space, so they might need to be removed. Long ago, our ancestors needed these extra teeth to chew tough foods like raw meat.
Here’s a fun fact: Did you know that the hand you write with can affect how you chew? People who are right-handed often chew on the right side of their mouth, while left-handed people chew on the left side. Try watching your friends and family while they eat to see if this is true!
Teeth are not just for eating; they are amazing parts of our body that help keep us healthy. By learning about the different types of teeth and what they do, we can appreciate how special they are.
Here’s a fun challenge for you: How many teeth are babies born with? Share your answer with your friends!
