A smile is the most attractive feature of humans and our teeth are artists behind the curtains. But behind that smile lays another intriguing body part: your teeth! You might’ve noticed that not all of your teeth have the same shape. Do you often wonder what are the sharp teeth called?
Why do you have different types of teeth? What are chewing teeth called? If you want to know these answers, keep reading to learn some fascinating facts about your oral structure.
Your teeth are considerably more than just an attractive feature. They play a crucial part in their capacity to help us operate properly.
It is often said that, teeth are the toughest part in a human body. They’re formed of proteins like collagen and minerals like calcium. They not only assist you in chewing even the hardest meals, but they also help you talk effectively.
Table of Contents
Types of human teeth
You’ve definitely observed that some of your teeth possess different shapes than others. But have you ever pondered what the different varieties of teeth serve? What are the sharp teeth in your mouth called and why are they important?
There are mainly four types of teeth, each with its own set of qualities and purposes. These include incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. These teeth operate together in perfect harmony to allow us to experience the joys of eating, speaking, and, of course smiling. Understanding how they function is not only fascinating but also necessary for optimum dental health.
Throughout your life, you will grow various types of teeth appearing at different stages of development. People typically have two sets of teeth throughout their lives: primary, or baby teeth, and permanent or adult teeth.
When a baby is around 6 months old, primary teeth begin to come through the gums. Lower incisors are often the initial primary teeth to emerge. By the age of three, most children have all the twenty primary teeth. However, from age 6 to 12, children often lose their primary teeth. They are eventually taken over by permanent teeth.
Molars are apparently the first permanent teeth to emerge. By the age of 21, majority of people possess each of their permanent teeth in place.
Incisors
The primary groups of teeth in your mouth are called the incisors. Incisors are distinguished by their sharp, chisel-like look and vital participation in a variety of oral activities. Due to their thin edge, incisors are called anterior teeth.
The incisors are situated at the front of the mouth. There are total eight incisors, four at the top and four at the bottom of your mouth. The central incisors are in the center, whereas the lateral incisors are on the sides.
Incisors are specifically designed for the first phases of food preparation. Their major job is to bite and chop food into manageable chunks. They are often the first teeth to pop out, occurring at around 6 months of age. Around the ages of six to eight, the adult set of teeth develops.
Canines
Canines, generally known as “fangs” are called the sharpest teeth. They are among the most interesting and visually appealing teeth. Dentists frequently refer to them as cuspids or eyeteeth.
Canines are noticeable in your mouth since they are located towards the front of your dental arch. They are typically set between the incisors and the premolars. There are only four canines, two at the top and two at the bottom of your mouth.
With their pointed, conical form and sharp edges, canines have a distinct and astonishing specialization for shredding food. They also aid in closing the mouth when the lower and upper jaws come together.
The first baby canines emerge around sixteen to twenty months of age. The lower canines emerge at the age of 9, followed by the upper canines around the age of 11 or 12.
Premolars
Premolars, also known as bicuspids, constitute a vital position in your dental arch. They are usually larger than the incisors and canines. They play a crucial role in processing food and digestion. Since they have several ridges, they aid in chewing and chopping up food.
Premolars assist in maintaining the form of the face, and their removal might result in a change in one’s look. They are normally highly sturdy and can withstand a great deal of strain.
Adults have a total of eight premolars. The molars that sit adjacent to the canines are the first and second premolars. But premolar teeth are not present in young children.
Molars
Molars are essential in the delicate process of chewing and grinding. The molars are found in the back of your dental arch, deep within the boundaries of your mouth. Their position puts them in the company of premolars, which constitute the back half of your teeth. Adults contain 12 permanent molars, six on each side of the jaw. In contrast, children have eight primary molars.
Molars are designed to manage the difficult chore of crushing food into smaller, more digestible pieces. The presence of ridges on the surface of molars, known as cusps, improves their efficacy in breaking down varied textures, ranging from tender meats to stiff veggies.
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last to emerge and normally appear between the ages of 17 to 21. These are located at the extreme corners of the jaw. However, wisdom teeth do not have any major role to play. They are usually non-functional.
In some cases, certain individuals may not have any wisdom teeth at all. In such a case, either their teeth remain unerupted in the bone and or they never emerge.
What Are the Sharp Teeth Called?
The answer to the burning question, what are the sharp teeth in your mouth called, is finally here!
Canines are known as the longest and sharpest teeth, and they aid in the tearing of food. It is the third tooth in the mouth, next to the lateral incisor.
It has a single root and a crown. The crown is located in the oral cavity, whereas the root is located in the bone. It has an extremely sharp cusp and is commonly referred to as the vampire teeth.
Isn’t it fascinating?
Understanding the oral structure
The four canines are often recognized as cuspids by dentists. There are two canines in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw, making a total of four canines in your oral cavity.
The reason why those sharp teeth are called canines is because they resemble the fangs possessed by dogs. Canines are situated at the same spot and are longer and pointed than the other teeth in the human oral cavity. However, human canines are not as long or as sharp as those found in a dog’s mouth.
Primary canines develop following the incisors and the first molars. The first canine tooth normally appears in the upper jaw between the period of seventeen and twenty-three months.
By the end of that time, most newborns have full-fledged canine teeth. However, between the ages of nine to twelve, children tend to lose their main canines.
Canines are essential for eating, speaking, keeping lip form, and bringing the other teeth into position. Canines help cut and break food into small portions when you eat, and they act alongside your incisors to help create words when you talk.
In addition, your canines serve as pillars for the remainder of the teeth. They aid in keeping the upper and lower teeth in place when the lower jaw swings side to side. Moreover, they also assist the upper and lower teeth into place.
Interestingly, human canines, contrary to common perception, were not used for tearing and shredding meat. Instead, your forefathers utilized them to compete with other males for mating privileges.
As humans ceased using their teeth as weapons, the human species evolved having smaller canines.
Issues Related To Your Sharp Teeth
Canine teeth can occasionally lead to oral issues including crowding, impaction, or malocclusion. When a canine tooth doesn’t erupt correctly and becomes stuck in the jawbone or gums, it produces impaction. This may result in discomfort, an infection, or harm to the teeth next to it.
When there is not enough room in the jaw for all the teeth to fit comfortably, crowding develops. As a result, there may be misalignment or crookedness when the canine teeth rub up against the other teeth.
If the upper and lower teeth do not correctly align during biting, malocclusion develops. This may make it difficult to eat, speak, or smile, as well as impair the way your teeth look and function.
These issues can, in fact, significantly affect both general wellness as well as your dental health. It’s critical that you remain aware of these possible problems and get dental care from a professional if you feel any symptoms or discomfort in your canines.
Solutions for issues associated to Canines
To address impaction, crowding, or malocclusion, dentists and orthodontists recommend suitable treatments and solutions, assuring a healthier and more useful smile. Moreover, regular dental check-ups are extremely essential for the early identification and prevention of such issues.
Some of these issues you can resolve with orthodontic treatments like surgery, retainers, or braces. In order to improve balance and harmony of your smile, orthodontic treatment can assist in repositioning your canines into their right position.
Misaligned or impacted canine teeth may be progressively repositioned with braces, a popular orthodontic procedure. Braces help teeth move into their proper locations over time by delivering gradual, constant pressure.
Dental experts often recommend retainers to preserve the newly acquired alignment of your teeth. In order to avoid any relapse and provide a stable foundation for your canines, retainers really help.
In more severe situations, when there is significant impaction or malocclusion, surgical procedures provides best assistance. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons may perform procedures to uncover affected canines, relocate them, or treat underlying structural concerns.
Importance of Oral Hygiene
Your teeth are necessary for proper chewing of food and conversing. Taking care of your teeth and practicing proper oral hygiene may help maintain strong and healthy teeth.
The following tips can help you retain your beautiful smile:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Use toothpaste recommended by your dentist
- Wash your mouth properly after having meal
- Eat a balanced diet and avoid too much of sweet or sticky food
- Visit your dentist at regular intervals
Final Thoughts
The sharp teeth in your mouth have specific names and purposes. Each kind of pointed tooth has a special function when it comes to chewing, speaking, and smiling.
To guarantee that we may enjoy the joys of eating, they all operate together. From breaking food into small chunks to assisting in the process of digestion, your sharp teeth play a diverse role. So, understanding the names and purposes of your sharp teeth can help you improve your dental health.
FAQs
1. What is the function of sharp teeth in your mouth?
Sharp teeth, such as canines, help us shred food. They assist in biting and breaking down hard materials such as meat or fibrous veggies.
2. How many sharp teeth do human beings possess?
Human beings possess four sharp teeth called canines, two at the top and two at the bottom.
3. Can sharp teeth lead to dental issues?
Sharp teeth, particularly canines, can occasionally induce impaction, crowding, or malocclusion. These issues might cause discomfort or harm your dental health.
4. Do humans have sharp teeth like animals?
Yes, there are functional parallels between human canines and those seen in other animals. Human canines, on the other hand, are often smaller and less prominent than those of many carnivorous animals.
5. Can you improve sharp teeth?
Yes, dental treatments such as veneers or cosmetic dentistry works to improve the attractiveness of your smile by improving the condition of your sharp teeth.
