Human tooth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Teeth |
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| Diagram of a human molar showing its major constituents | |
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| CGI posterior view of teeth taken from inside mouth | |
| Latin | dentes |
Your teeth are super important parts of your body! They help you chew and break down all the yummy food you eat. This makes it easier for your body to swallow and digest. Humans have different kinds of teeth, and each kind has a special job.
You have two sets of teeth in your life. The first set are your "baby teeth," also called primary teeth. Later, these fall out and are replaced by your permanent, or adult, teeth. Taking good care of your teeth helps them stay strong and healthy for a long time!
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What Are Teeth For?
Teeth are not just for chewing! They also help you speak clearly and give your face its shape. When you bite into an apple or a sandwich, your teeth work together to cut, tear, and grind the food into smaller pieces. This process is called mastication.
Breaking down food into tiny bits is important. It makes it easier for your stomach to digest everything. Imagine trying to swallow a whole carrot! Your teeth make sure that doesn't happen.
Different Types of Teeth
Humans have four main types of teeth, and each one does something different. You have 32 permanent teeth in total, if you count your wisdom teeth.
Incisors: Your Front Teeth
Your incisors are the eight teeth at the very front of your mouth, four on top and four on the bottom. They are flat and sharp, like tiny chisels. Their main job is to cut food into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Think about biting into a slice of pizza – that's your incisors at work!
Canines: The Pointy Ones
Next to your incisors are your canines. You have four of them, two on top and two on the bottom. They are pointy and strong, a bit like a dog's fangs. Canines are great for tearing and ripping food, especially tougher foods like meat.
Premolars: The Grinders
Behind your canines are the premolars, also known as bicuspids. You usually have eight of these, four on top and four on the bottom. Premolars have a flat surface with ridges. They help to crush and grind food into even smaller pieces before you swallow.
Molars: The Big Crushers
At the very back of your mouth are your molars. You typically have 12 molars in total, six on top and six on the bottom, including your wisdom teeth. Molars are the largest and strongest teeth. They have wide, flat surfaces with bumps, perfect for grinding and crushing food into a paste. This makes it easy to swallow.
Wisdom Teeth
Your wisdom teeth are the last molars to grow in, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. Sometimes, there isn't enough room for them, and they can cause problems. Because of this, many people have their wisdom teeth removed by a dentist.
How Teeth Grow
Teeth start forming even before you are born! They develop inside your jawbones.
Baby Teeth
Your first teeth, called primary or baby teeth, usually start appearing when you are about six months old. By the time you are two or three, you'll likely have all 20 of your baby teeth. These teeth help you learn to chew and speak. They also hold space for your permanent teeth.
Permanent Teeth
Around age six, your baby teeth start to fall out, one by one. This makes room for your permanent teeth to grow in. This process continues until you are around 12 or 13, when most of your permanent teeth (except wisdom teeth) have arrived. Your permanent teeth are meant to last your whole life, so taking care of them is super important!
Taking Care of Your Teeth
Keeping your teeth healthy means brushing and flossing regularly.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps make your teeth stronger and protects them from cavities.
- Floss daily to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and under the gum line.
- Eat healthy foods and limit sugary snacks and drinks. Sugar can cause cavities.
- Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. Dentists can spot problems early and help keep your smile bright!
Images for kids
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There are four main types of teeth in humans, shown labelled here.
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Radiograph of lower right third, second, and first molars in different stages of development
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Bottom teeth of a seven-year-old, showing primary teeth (left), a lost primary tooth (middle), and a permanent tooth (right)
See also
In Spanish: Diente humano para niños
