Dr. Stephen A. Price

NORTHERN VIRGINIA GENERAL DENTISTRY &
INVISALIGN PREMIER PROVIDER

Call today for your free no obligation consultation: (703)-935-2879

6035 BURKE CENTRE PKWY | SUITE #200 | BURKE, VA 22015

Your Teeth And Their Functions—The Basics

By: | Saturday, August 15th, 2015 | Oral Health

Saturday, August 15th, 2015


SmileDid you know that adults usually have 32 teeth, including the wisdom teeth? But those 32 teeth aren’t all the same. You have four types of teeth, and each type of tooth has a specific role. Keep reading to find out more.

The Incisors

Your incisors are in the front of your mouth. You have four on the top row and four on the bottom row—8 in total. Although these teeth aren’t all the same size, they have the same job. They are used to bite into your food.

The Canines

The canines are positioned on the sides of your incisors. You have four canine teeth—two on top and two on bottom. These sharp, pointy teeth are good for gripping and ripping your food.

The Pre-Molars

Your pre-molars are larger and flatter than the incisors and canines. They are used for crushing and tearing food. Most adults have 8 pre-molar teeth.

The Molars

You have twelve molars, including your wisdom teeth, and these teeth are used for chewing and grinding your food so it can be swallowed and digested. These teeth are the largest in your mouth and they sit near the back.

The Parts Of The Tooth

While your teeth have different shapes and different jobs, they are made of the same parts:

There are two main parts to your teeth, the crown and the root.

The crown is the part of your teeth that you can see. It is exposed above the gums. The crown only makes up about 1/3 of your total tooth length.

The root is the longer part of the tooth that is positioned inside and below the gumline.

The other parts of your teeth include:

To learn more about your teeth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Price.

 

 

Request Appointment