Incisor Facts for Kids

The incisors are the four middle teeth at the top, and the four middle teeth at the bottom.

Incisors are special teeth found in many mammals, including humans. They are the eight flat teeth with straight edges at the very front of your mouth. You have four on your top jaw and four on your bottom jaw. These teeth are located between your pointed canine teeth.

The straight edges of incisors are perfect for biting and cutting food sharply. They work like a pair of pincers to grab and snip. In humans, the two teeth in the very middle of each jaw are called "central incisors." The teeth next to them, on either side, are called "lateral incisors" (because "lateral" means "to the side"). Sometimes, people might not grow lateral incisors, or they might be very small, especially the top ones.

Incisors in Different Animals
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Incisors in Different Animals

Incisors are used differently by various animals, depending on what they eat.

Plant-Eaters (Herbivores)

Many herbivores, like horses, use their front teeth to cut off grass and other plants. After the incisors snip the plants, the molars at the back of the mouth grind the food into smaller pieces.

Animals That Eat Both Plants and Meat (Omnivores)

Omnivores, like humans, have incisors that are similar to those of herbivores. We use them for biting into many different kinds of food, from apples to sandwiches.

Meat-Eaters (Carnivores)

In carnivores, like cats and dogs, incisors are often quite small. Their long, sharp canine teeth are better for grasping and stabbing prey. However, carnivores still use their incisors for tasks that need careful control. For example, a cat might use them to catch fleas, carry a kitten, or peel the skin off a fish. When a dog or cat needs to cut something tough, they usually use their back teeth, which work like scissors.