Every tooth in your mouth has its own shape because each one has its own job. Knowing the names and roles of your teeth makes it easier to talk with your dentist and to follow your child’s dental development.
How many teeth do we have?
Humans grow two sets of teeth. There are 20 baby (primary) teeth, which start to appear at about six months of age. There are 32 permanent teeth, which replace the baby teeth in a process that starts around the age of six. Wisdom teeth usually come through between about 17 and 25 and not everyone has all of them.
Types of teeth and what they do
Incisors (8)
The sharp-edged teeth at the front. They bite and cut food and play an important part in speech and in the look of your smile.
Canines (4)
The pointed teeth next to the incisors. They help tear and hold food, and their very long roots make them important for guiding jaw movements.
Premolars (8)
Located between the canines and the molars. Their two-cusped surfaces crush food and prepare it for grinding.
Molars (12, including wisdom teeth)
Wide, multi-cusped teeth that grind food. They also help keep the jaw joint balanced. Molars are the teeth most prone to decay because their pits and grooves trap plaque.
The structure of a tooth
- Enamel: the hard outer layer, the hardest tissue in the body.
- Dentin: the softer, more sensitive layer under the enamel.
- Pulp: the centre of the tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels.
- Root and cementum: the part that anchors the tooth in the jawbone.
How are teeth numbered?
Dentists use the internationally recognised FDI system to identify teeth. The mouth is divided into four sections; the first digit shows the section and the second shows the position of the tooth from the middle to the back. For example, tooth “16” is the upper right first molar.
How to protect your teeth
- Brush twice a day and make sure you reach every surface.
- Ask your dentist about protective treatments such as fissure sealants for children’s molars.
- Do not skip cleaning between the teeth.
- Regular check-ups let you catch problems before they grow.
Appointments and questions: you can contact us or call +90 533 300 71 41.
This article is for general information only. For a diagnosis and treatment plan that fits you, please see your dentist.
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