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Types Of Teeth
There are four types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars and molars. Most adults have 32 teeth: 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars and 12 molars, counting the four wisdom teeth. Children have 20 baby teeth and no premolars.
The four types of teeth
- Incisors: your eight front teeth, four on the top and four on the bottom. The two in the middle are the central incisors and the ones either side are the lateral incisors. They cut and bite food.
- Canines (also called cuspids or eye teeth): the sharp, pointed teeth at the corners, one either side of your incisors on the top and bottom, four in all. They tear and grip food.
- Premolars (also called bicuspids): the two teeth behind each canine, eight in all. They are wider than the teeth in front of them and crush and grind food.
- Molars: the large, flat teeth at the back, and the strongest teeth you have. Adults have eight molars plus up to four wisdom teeth (third molars), twelve in all. They grind food until it is ready to swallow.
Your teeth at a glance
| Type | Also called | Adult teeth | Baby teeth | What it does | Adult tooth comes through |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incisors | Central and lateral incisors | 8 | 8 | Cutting and biting | 6 to 9 years |
| Canines | Cuspids, eye teeth | 4 | 4 | Tearing and gripping | 10 to 12 years |
| Premolars | Bicuspids | 8 | 0 | Crushing and grinding | 10 to 12 years |
| Molars | First, second and third (wisdom) molars | 12 | 8 | Grinding | About 6, 12, and 17 to 21 years |
| Total | 32 | 20 |
Many people have fewer than four wisdom teeth, or none at all, so a full adult set can be anything from 28 to 32 teeth.
Looking after every type of tooth
Each type of tooth wears in its own way. The front teeth chip and stain most easily. The back teeth have deep grooves, and that is where most decay starts. A check-up looks at every tooth, and our hygienist cleans the places a brush misses.
Questions about types of teeth
Something else? Call us on 020 8870 5059 or send a WhatsApp message.
What are the front teeth called?
The front teeth are called incisors. You have eight: four on the top and four on the bottom. The two in the middle are the central incisors and the two either side of them are the lateral incisors.
What are the teeth next to the front teeth called?
The teeth next to your two front teeth are the lateral incisors. Next to those, at the corners of your mouth, are the canines.
What is a cuspid tooth?
A cuspid is another name for a canine tooth: the sharp, pointed tooth at each corner of the mouth. Adults and children both have four, one on each side, top and bottom.
How many teeth do adults and children have?
Most adults have 32 teeth, including four wisdom teeth, though many people have fewer wisdom teeth or none. Children have 20 baby teeth, which adult teeth start to replace from about the age of six.
Which teeth are the molars?
The molars are the large, flat teeth at the back of your mouth. Adults have twelve: a first, second and third molar (the wisdom tooth) in each corner. The first adult molars come through at about six, behind the baby teeth.
