Watch: The different types of teeth
What are the three types of teeth?
You have three types of teeth. These are:
Molars - These are the teeth at the back of your mouth which are used for grinding up food.
Incisors - The teeth at the very front of your mouth that are used for cutting food.
Canines - The teeth at the sides of your mouth between the incisors and the molars. These are used for tearing up food.
We have two sets of teeth during our lifetime. Aged around six months, our milk teeth develop. These start to fall out around five years old. They are replaced by our adult teeth, which should last for the rest of our lives if well looked after.
Different animals have different teeth
We need all three types of teeth because we are omnivores. This means we eat plants and animals. Cows are herbivores which means they only eat plants. Carnivores are animals which only eat meat.
Watch: Teeth in other animals
Comparing the teeth of animals
How are teeth different in this photo compared with ours?
Herbivores have more molar teeth for grinding up the plants they eat and fewer canines which tear their food.
How are the teeth different in this photo compared with the cow?
Carnivores have more canines which kill their prey and then tear it apart. These are often longer and stronger.
How to keep your teeth healthy
Our teeth need to last a lifetime. Here are some things you can do to look after them:
- Brushing twice a day with toothpaste to remove plaque.
- Flossing between teeth to remove any bits of food.
- Going to the dentist.
- Eating less sugary food and drinks.
Activity 1: Identifying teeth
Activity 2: Teeth quiz
Activity 3: Photograph your teeth
Open wide and take a picture of your own teeth. Use this picture to identify the different types of teeth in your own mouth.
List the teeth you can see, write a sentence explaining why you need each different type, and write a short sentence explaining how you can look after your teeth.
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