Page 27 - Viva ICSE Science 4 : E-book

Incisors

Incisors are the fl at teeth with sharp edges present at the front of the mouth.
We have eight incisors—four in each jaw. They are used for biting and cutting
food into small chewable pieces.

Canines

Canines are the sharp and pointed teeth. We have four canines teeth in our

mouth—two in each jaw. These are present right next to the incisors in both
the jaws. They are used for tearing and ripping food.

Did You Know!
• Herbivores have sharp incisors to bite and cut leaves, grass and fruit.

• Carnivores have sharp pointed canines to catch and kill their prey
and to tear its flesh.

Premolars
Premolars are the fl at and broad teeth, located next to the canines. We have

eight premolars—four in each jaw, i.e., two next to each canine. They are
bigger, stronger and have ridges which trap and crush the food. They also

help in moving food to the molars for chewing.

Molars

Molars are large, fl at teeth present next to the premolars. As compared
to the premolars, molars are bigger, wider and have ridges. We have six
molars in each jaw, i.e., three next to each pair of premolars. They are used

for chewing and grinding the food.
incisors

canine
Adults have all the four kinds of teeth. But children premolars

have only three kinds of teeth. These include 8 incisors
(four in each jaw), 4 canines (two in each jaw) and 8 molars

molars (four in each jaw). They do not have premolars.
Hence, they have a set of 20 primary teeth.
Kinds of teeth and their location

13