Lesson 6: Types of teeth
Baby Teeth vs. Adult Teeth
Everyone has two sets of teeth during their lifetime: baby teeth and adult teeth. Baby teeth, also called “milk teeth” or primary teeth, are the first set of teeth you grow. These eventually fall out to make room for your adult teeth.
Baby Teeth
Did you know babies are born with their teeth already formed under their gums? Most babies start teething—when teeth begin to emerge—between 6 to 12 months old.
By around age 3, most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth:
- 8 Molars: These “cheek teeth” are larger, stronger, and flatter, designed to crush and grind food for digestion.
- 4 Canines: Sharp teeth used for tearing or ripping food apart.
- 8 Incisors: Shovel-shaped teeth located at the front, perfect for biting through food.
Around age 5 or 6, baby teeth start to fall out one by one, making way for adult teeth.
Adult Teeth
By the time kids are 12 or 13 years old, they usually have a full set of adult teeth, totaling 32:
- 12 Molars: These serve the same purpose as their baby tooth counterparts.
- 8 Premolars: Located between the molars and canines, premolars are slightly smaller than molars but perform similar grinding functions.
- 4 Canines: Sharp teeth ideal for tearing food; even carnivorous animals rely on their canines!
- 8 Incisors: Located at the front, incisors are great for biting into food and making smaller pieces to chew.
- 4 Wisdom Teeth: These typically appear between ages 17 and 21. While some wisdom teeth grow in without issues, many people need them removed because they can crowd other teeth or cause discomfort.
Your adult teeth are permanent, so proper care is essential to keep them healthy for a lifetime!