The names of the teeth are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each type has a different job. Incisors cut food, canines tear it, and premolars and molars crush and grind it.
Most adults have 32 permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth. Children usually have 20 baby teeth. This guide explains the names of the teeth, where they sit, what they do, and how baby teeth differ from adult teeth.
What Are the Four Main Types of Teeth?
Humans have four main types of permanent teeth. Each type helps break food into smaller pieces before swallowing. Their shapes match their jobs, so each group plays a different role in chewing.
| Type of tooth | Number in adults | Main function |
| Incisors: | 8 | Cut and bite food |
| Canines: | 4 | Tear food |
| Premolars: | 8 | Crush food |
| Molars: | 12 | Grind food |
These numbers describe a complete set of 32 permanent teeth. Some adults have fewer teeth because their wisdom teeth never develop or have been removed.
Names of the Teeth From Front to Back
The teeth follow a set order in each quarter of the mouth. Starting at the center and moving toward the back, the order is central incisors, lateral incisors, canines, first premolars, second premolars, first molars, second molars, and third molars.
Central Incisors
Central incisors are the four front teeth in the middle of the mouth. Two sit in the upper jaw, and two sit in the lower jaw. They help bite into foods such as apples and sandwiches.
Lateral Incisors
Lateral incisors sit beside the central incisors. They help cut food into smaller pieces and support the shape of your smile.
Canines
Canines sit next to the lateral incisors. Their pointed edges help grip and tear food. The upper canines are also known as eyeteeth.
First and Second Premolars
First premolars sit behind the canines. Second premolars sit behind the first premolars. Both types help crush food before the molars grind it further.
First, Second, and Third Molars
First molars sit behind the premolars. Second molars sit farther back, while third molars are at the very back of the mouth. Third molars are commonly called wisdom teeth. This order describes permanent teeth. Children’s baby teeth do not include premolars.
Incisors: The Front Teeth
Incisors are the eight flat edged teeth at the front of a complete adult mouth. Four sit in the upper jaw, and four sit in the lower jaw. Their narrow edges make it easier to bite and cut food.
Types of Incisors
There are two types of incisors:
- Central incisors: The four teeth closest to the center of the mouth.
- Lateral incisors: The four teeth beside the central incisors.
What Do Incisors Do?
Incisors help you bite into food and cut off small pieces. For example, they help you take a bite of a pear or carrot. They also help shape certain speech sounds and support the appearance of your smile.
Canines: The Pointed Teeth
Canines are the four pointed teeth beside the incisors. Most adults have two upper canines and two lower canines. Their shape helps grip and tear food.
Other Names for Canines
Canines are also called cuspids. The upper canines are often called eyeteeth. These terms refer to the same type of tooth.
What Do Canines Do?
Canines help tear tougher foods into smaller pieces. They also have long roots that help anchor them in the jaw. Their position near the corners of the dental arches helps guide how the upper and lower teeth meet during some jaw movements.
Premolars: The Teeth Between Canines and Molars
Premolars sit between the canines and molars. Most adults have eight premolars, with two in each quarter of the mouth. Their wider surfaces help crush food before it reaches the molars.
First Premolars
First premolars sit directly behind the canines. Their shape includes raised points and a wider chewing surface. This helps them crush food into smaller pieces.
Second Premolars
Second premolars sit behind the first premolars. They help break food down before the molars grind it further.
Do Children Have Premolars?
No. Baby teeth do not include premolars. When children lose their baby molars, permanent premolars usually take their place. Permanent molars grow farther back in the mouth rather than replacing baby teeth.
Molars: The Large Back Teeth
Molars are the large teeth at the back of the mouth. Their broad surfaces help crush and grind food. Adults usually have 12 molars if all four wisdom teeth are present.
First Molars
First molars sit behind the premolars. They often appear around age six. These are permanent teeth, even though they may emerge while a child still has baby teeth.
Second Molars
Second molars sit behind the first molars. They usually appear later in childhood or during the early teenage years. Their broad surfaces help grind food.
Third Molars or Wisdom Teeth
Third molars, commonly called wisdom teeth, sit at the very back of the mouth. They often emerge in the late teens or early twenties, but timing varies. Some people develop fewer than four wisdom teeth, while others develop none.
Names of the Teeth in the Upper and Lower Jaws
The teeth are divided between the upper jaw and the lower jaw. The upper jaw is called the maxilla, while the lower jaw is called the mandible. A complete adult set normally has 16 teeth in each jaw.
Names of the Upper Teeth
The upper teeth include:
- Upper central incisors: The two front teeth in the middle.
- Upper lateral incisors: The teeth beside the central incisors.
- Upper canines: The pointed teeth near the corners of the upper dental arch.
- Upper premolars: The teeth behind each canine.
- Upper molars: The large back teeth, including the wisdom teeth.
Names of the Lower Teeth
The lower teeth follow the same general order:
- Lower central incisors: The two front teeth in the lower jaw.
- Lower lateral incisors: The teeth beside the central incisors.
- Lower canines: The pointed teeth next to the lateral incisors.
- Lower premolars: The teeth between the canines and molars.
- Lower molars: The large teeth at the back of the lower jaw.
How Are Upper and Lower Teeth Different?
Both jaws contain the same main types of permanent teeth. However, individual teeth can differ in shape and size. Their positions also matter because the upper and lower teeth meet when you bite and chew.
Names of Baby Teeth
Children usually develop 20 baby teeth. These are also called primary teeth, milk teeth, or deciduous teeth. They help children chew food, speak clearly, and hold space for many permanent teeth.
Types of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth include three main types:
| Baby tooth type | Number | Main job |
| Incisors: | 8 | Bite and cut food |
| Canines: | 4 | Tear food |
| Molars: | 8 | Crush and grind food |
Unlike permanent teeth, baby teeth have no premolars. Each quarter of the mouth has two incisors, one canine, and two molars.
When Do Baby Teeth Appear?
Baby teeth often begin to appear at around six months of age. However, the timing varies from child to child. Most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth by about age three.
Permanent teeth usually begin to appear at around age six. For a few years, children may have both baby teeth and permanent teeth as the first set falls out and the second set grows in.
Baby Teeth vs. Permanent Teeth
Baby teeth and permanent teeth share some names, but they differ in number and development. Knowing these differences helps parents understand which teeth their child has.
| Feature | Baby teeth | Permanent teeth |
| Common total: | 20 | 32, including wisdom teeth |
| Incisors: | 8 | 8 |
| Canines: | 4 | 4 |
| Premolars: | 0 | 8 |
| Molars: | 8 | 12 |
| Main role: | Support early chewing and speech | Serve throughout adult life |
| Replacement: | Usually fall out naturally | Usually are not replaced by another set |
These are typical counts. The actual number can vary because of tooth development, missing teeth, or wisdom tooth removal.
Why Are Baby Teeth Important?
Baby teeth do more than help children eat. They support speech and help guide permanent teeth into position. Therefore, keeping them clean and healthy matters, even though they eventually fall out.
What Happens When Permanent Teeth Appear?
Permanent teeth gradually replace most baby teeth. However, the first permanent molars grow behind the baby molars instead of replacing them. Parents may mistake these new molars for baby teeth because they appear while other baby teeth are still present.
Other Common Names for Teeth
People often use everyday terms instead of formal dental names. These words can make it easier to describe a tooth’s location or purpose.
| Common name | Dental name | Meaning |
| Front teeth: | Incisors | Teeth at the front of the mouth |
| Eye teeth: | Canines | A common name for upper canines |
| Cuspids: | Canines | Another term for pointed canine teeth |
| Bicuspids: | Premolars | Teeth between canines and molars |
| Back teeth: | Premolars and molars | Teeth toward the back of the mouth |
| Wisdom teeth: | Third molars | Teeth at the very back of the dental arch |
| Milk teeth: | Primary teeth | The first set of teeth in childhood |
Some terms are more common in certain places or dental settings. For example, bicuspids is another name for premolars, while wisdom teeth specifically refers to third molars.
How Dentists Identify Individual Teeth
Dentists use precise terms to identify a tooth’s position. These terms often describe the jaw, side of the mouth, and type of tooth.
Dental Terms for Tooth Location
- Maxillary: Refers to the upper jaw.
- Mandibular: Refers to the lower jaw.
- Central: Closest to the middle of the mouth.
- Lateral: Beside the central tooth.
- First, second, and third: Show the order of teeth within a group.
For example, an upper right central incisor is the front tooth closest to the middle on the right side of the upper jaw, from the patient’s perspective.
Why Do Dentists Use Tooth Numbers?
Dentists use tooth numbering to record checkups, treatments, and dental images. Different numbering systems are used around the world. In the United States, a common system numbers permanent teeth from 1 to 32. Other systems use two digit codes.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Names of the Teeth
1. What Are the Four Main Types of Teeth?
Answer: The four main types are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Incisors cut food, canines tear it, premolars crush it, and molars grind it.
2. How Many Teeth Do Adults Have?
Answer: Most adults have 32 permanent teeth, including four wisdom teeth. However, some adults have fewer because wisdom teeth may not develop or may be removed.
3. How Many Teeth Do Children Have?
Answer: Children usually have 20 baby teeth. These include eight incisors, four canines, and eight molars. Baby teeth do not include premolars.
4. What Are the Front Teeth Called?
Answer: The front teeth are called incisors. Central incisors sit in the middle, while lateral incisors sit beside them. Both help bite and cut food.
5. What Are Canine Teeth?
Answer: Canines are the four pointed teeth beside the incisors. They help tear food and are also called cuspids or eyeteeth.
6. What Are Premolars Called?
Answer: Premolars are also known as bicuspids. They sit between the canines and molars and help crush food before the molars grind it.
7. What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Answer: Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the very back of the mouth. They often emerge in the late teens or early twenties, but not everyone develops all four.
8. Which Teeth Are Used for Grinding Food?
Answer: Premolars and molars help grind food. Premolars crush food into smaller pieces, while molars use their broad surfaces to grind it further.
9. Are Baby Teeth and Permanent Teeth Named the Same Way?
Answer: Many names are the same, including incisors, canines, and molars. However, baby teeth have no premolars, while a complete adult set normally includes eight.
10. What Is the Difference Between the Upper and Lower Teeth?
Answer: Upper teeth sit in the maxilla, and lower teeth sit in the mandible. Both jaws have incisors and canines. Permanent teeth also include premolars and molars.
Conclusion
The main names of the teeth are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each type has a different role in biting, tearing, crushing, or grinding food. Adults usually have 32 permanent teeth, while children have 20 baby teeth. Learning these names makes it easier to understand dental checkups and identify teeth by their location.
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I’m Cole Harrison, a naming enthusiast with 8 years of experience researching names, meanings, origins, and cultural influences. I love discovering names that are unique, memorable, and full of personality. Through my work, I help readers find the perfect names for babies, pets, characters, and creative projects.
