Adult Tooth Basics

We have 2 sets of teeth in our lifetime.  A childhood set, known as the deciduous or primary dentition, in which we normally begin to lose around the age of 6.  The adult set, also known as the permanent or succedaneous set, is what we keep for the remainder of our lives, that is if we keep our mouths in good condition.  Naturally, the adult mouth contains 32 teeth separated into 4 separate categories: Incisors, Canines, Premolars, and Molars.  So what is in your mouth and how do you know what is what?

Incisors:

These are the main teeth that are visible when we smile.  We have four on top and four on the bottom.  They are used primarily for “incising” or cutting into food.  The two in the middle are known as the central incisors.  The outer two are referred to as the lateral incisors.

Canines:

Believe it or not, these are the longest teeth in the mouth (root included).  Located next to the lateral incisors, these teeth are the cornerstones of the mouth.  Canines are used for tearing or shearing food.  They are sharp and usually form a point at the tip.  Adults have four canines, two on the top and two on the bottom.

Premolars:

Premolars, also known as cuspids, are located between the molars and the canines.  We have 8 premolars in the mouth, a first and second premolar.  The first premolar may somewhat resemble the canine in that it may appear somewhat sharp and form a point at the tip.  These are used for grinding and chewing food.

Molars:

Molars are the largest teeth in the mouth.  We have 12 molars, 3 on each side on the top and bottom.  These teeth are used for chewing food.