What teeth do we have?
In our mouths, we have different types of teeth that help us with different jobs when eating. There are three main types of teeth:
- 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.
Watch: The different types of teeth
Learn about the different teeth we humans have.
Good evening and welcome to the 48th annual Food Squashing Championships. We’ve got some very strong teams of teeth here tonight, and the food should be arriving any moment…
It’s here! It’s a spinach!
The incisors and canines are straight at it, they are so sharp! They are ripping and slicing but of course they only score points if they really SQUASH the food. And they don’t seem to be getting anywhere.
That spinach is just not getting squashed. They are getting tired now, I don’t think they can keep this up.
That grass stands no chance! It’s been reduced to mush, a magnificent performance!
And straight away we have more food, this time yes, it’s meat!
The molars are very confident here, they’re straight at it. But they’re just bouncing! This is no good at all!
And I think the incisors are back. Yes they’re back in the game! And just look at them deal with that meat!
The results are clear ladies and gentlemen, incisors and canines are the campions at slicing, ripping and tearing. But when it comes to grinding the molars are unbeatable!
Fascinating facts
- The enamel on the surface of your teeth is the hardest substance in your body.
- Babies are born with all their teeth but they are hidden in their gums.
- Giraffes only have bottom teeth at the front of their mouths
- Humans have two sets of teeth in their lifetime – baby teeth and adult teeth
- Your teeth start growing before you are born, they develop whilst still in the womb.
- Human adults have 32 teeth.
- Braces for teeth were first designed in the 18th century.
Different animals have different teeth
Humans have all three types of teeth because they are omnivores. This means they can eat plants and animals.
Cows are herbivores which means they only eat plants.
Carnivores are animals which only eat meat, like lions.
Watch: Teeth in other animals
Compare and contrast the kinds of teeth that animals have.
What's wrong with your lion?
Well what have you been feeding him?
Grass?
You can't feed a lion grass!!
He's got the wrong sort of teeth!
Animals which eat plants have teeth like this.
They're shaped to squash and grind.
Meat eating animals have teeth like this, for slicing and ripping.
You should try giving him a steak.
Hmm… Where have you gone?
Oi! Let go!
Now go and get him that juicy steak!
Did you know?
Sharks can grow and replace thousands of teeth in their lifetime.
Comparing the teeth of animals
The teeth of a herbivore.
Herbivores have more molar teeth for grinding up the plants they eat and fewer canines which tear their food.
The teeth of a carnivore.
Carnivores have more canines which kill their prey and then tear it apart. These are often longer and stronger.
The teeth of a omnivore.
Omnivores eat animals and plants. They have broad molars for grinding up mixture of different foods.
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 reduce the build up of plaque.
- Flossing between teeth to remove any bits of food.
- Going to the dentist.
- Eating less sugary food and drinks.
Important words
Canines – The teeth at the sides of your mouth between the incisors and the molars. These are used for tearing up food.
Carnivores – Animals that only eat meat.
Herbivores – Animals that only eat plants.
Incisors – The teeth at the very front of your mouth that are used for cutting food.
Molars – These are the teeth at the back of your mouth which are used for grinding up food.
Omnivores – Animals that eat both plants and animals.
Activities
Activity 1 – Teeth quiz
Activity 2 – Photograph your teeth
Open wide and take a picture of your own teeth (or alternatively use a mirror).
Use this picture to identify the different types of teeth in your own mouth.
List the teeth you can see and write a sentence explaining why you need each different type.
Then write a short sentence explaining how you can look after your teeth.
And don't forget to smile!
Activity 3 – Describing animal teeth
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