Healthy teeth are key for general health, therefore it’s critical to maintain them throughout your life. Despite this, the mouth is frequently overlooked when it comes to oral hygiene.
We only think about it when we have discomfort, find cavities, or have another gum condition. Teeth, on the other hand, provide vital duties on a daily basis.
What are teeth?
Teeth, derived from the Latin dentis, are hard bodies found in the jaws of humans and many animals that are used to chew food or, in the case of some animals, for defense.
The visible area of these teeth, known as the crown, is protected by tooth enamel. In contrast, in a healthy mouth, the tooth root is not visible. The neck is the juncture between the crown and the root.
What are they for?
Our teeth serve many critical functions, including cutting, biting, ripping, crushing, and grinding. They also help us pronounce words correctly and sculpt our looks.
How do they work?
Our teeth consist of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Let’s check what exact job each of them performs:
Incisors: There are eight in total. They are front teeth whose primary job is to chop food into tiny pieces. The upper incisors are bigger than the lower ones.
Canines: We have four, and we also know them as fangs. Their shape is easily identifiable because they have a pointed tip that differentiates them from the rest. They are located next to the incisors and their function is to tear fibrous foods like meat.
Premolars: We have 8 premolars, and they are the next teeth after the canines. In terms of appearance, they are slightly smaller than the molars. Together with the canines, and thanks to their shape, they are responsible for tearing food. Together with the molars, they grind food that has been cut and torn by the other teeth.
Molars: At the end of our teeth we have 12 molars, wider than the premolars but with the same function of grinding food.
The combined activity of all of our teeth transforms food into a paste that may be eaten. Take care of your teeth, since they play a vital role in your life!
