Exploring the Secrets Behind Your Smile

Learn About Four Important Teeth During National Smiles Month

DID YOU KNOW… on average, the adult human mouth consists of 32-28 teeth while children typically have 20. That means that, over the course of our lives, our mouths are home to nearly 50 different teeth!

Starting May 16th until June 16th, National Smiles Month is a great time to celebrate our mouths and all they do for us. From eating to speaking, our smiles are important for daily life. In deference to National Smiles Month, let’s take a closer look at each of the four main types of teeth that make up your smile.

A colorful diagram depicting the teeth in both a child's mouth and an adult mouth. Teeth are labeled according to color to include incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. — *Our mouths are comprised of four individual types of teeth. Although children’s mouths do not include premolars, all mouths have incisors, canines, and molars.*

Beyond the Surface of a Smile

The most visibly prominent part of our smile is made up of two different kinds of teeth that each serve a very different purpose. While one greatly influences our speech and overall bite, the other is responsible for much of the way we eat along with the placement of our other teeth.

Let’s consider the individual roles that incisors and canine teeth play in our smiles.

INCISOR TEETH

Usually the first adult teeth to erupt after our primary teeth have fallen out, incisors are the teeth that make up most of our smile. Often referred to as ‘anterior’ teeth, the typical mouth will have a total of 8 incisors comprised of central incisors which are found at the front and center of the jaw, and lateral incisors which are found on either side of the central incisors.

Lateral vs. Central Incisors

Incisor teeth can be separated into two categories: the lateral incisor and the central incisor. Although both teeth serve the same purpose, central incisors are wider and larger.

First In, First Out

On average, the first teeth to erupt in children are incisor teeth. These teeth are often the first to fall out as well.

Adults Can Lose Them Too!

Because our incisors are at the forefront of our mouths, they can be easily damaged or fall out completely in adults.

CANINE TEETH

Believe it or not, our canine teeth, also known as ‘cuspids,’ are some of the most important teeth you have! With the longest root of any other tooth in the mouth, canine teeth serve as a guidepost to help new teeth come in properly. They also help us to form words correctly when we speak.

Unfortunately, due to their location in the mouth, canine teeth are prone to erosion and gum recession. They are also the most common teeth to become impacted. Thankfully, the latter can be solved with orthodontic treatments like braces.

A file folder with an image of a canine tooth paper clipped. The outside of the folder gives information about canine teeth.

Close up photograph of a person with impacted canine teeth. — *Sometimes referred to as ‘snaggleteeth’, impacted canine teeth are quite common and easily corrected with orthodontic treatments such as braces.*

Molars and More

Moving to the back of the mouth, our teeth become larger and deeply rooted into our jawbone. Responsible for the bulk of our chewing, premolar and molar teeth are the ‘strongmen’ of our smiles and play a necessary role in our day to day lives.

PREMOLAR TEETH

On average, our premolars (also known as ‘bicuspids’) first erupt around twelve to thirteen years of age. Smaller in size than their back neighbors the molars, our premolar teeth are larger and wider than canines or incisors. Another defining feature of these teeth is that, rather than coming to a point, they have a flat surface area designed for grinding food when we eat.

A woman pulls on the side of her cheek to reveal a missing premolar tooth at the back of her mouth. — *Premolars are the only type of teeth that aren’t included in our primary set of teeth.*

MOLAR TEETH

The strongest teeth in our mouths, our molars serve two primary functions which include crushing food into easily digestible pieces and keeping our other teeth in position while supporting our jaws and other facial bones.

At around eighteen years of age, many adults develop what is known as ‘third molars,’ otherwise called “wisdom teeth.” While they are often surgically removed, these subtypes of molars provide additional strength for our jawbones and assist with eating.

A file folder with an image of two fingers holding a molar tooth between them paper clipped. The outside of the folder gives information about molar teeth.

A doctor holds out an x-ray of a mouth that highlights different sets of teeth. — *Sometimes referred to as ‘posterior teeth’, molars are the last of our secondary teeth to erupt.*

**TLC for All of Your Teeth**

Each type of tooth in our mouths has a different purpose and their individual functions serve to make everyday life easier. Like any other team, all four types of our teeth work together to help us eat, speak, and perform other basic activities we often overlook.

At Alexandria Smiles, we know just how important it is to take care of your teeth so they can continue taking care of you. By following through with regular cleanings and check-ups, we too can work as a team to give you the best (and healthiest) smile possible.