Teeth are present in the buccal cavity. These masticate food, that is, chew food and cut them into smaller parts that can be taken inside through the food pipe. The saliva in the mouth gets mixed with the masticated food and this ball of food is now known as the bolus. It is adviced that food should be chewed properly to avoid any indigestion. The food that gets broken into smaller pieces with saliva mixed in it, has an increased surface area and makes it easier for the digestive juices to act on the food and digest the essential nutrients. These nutrients are then absorbed and the waste materials, in turn, are passed out.
Thus, this was the importance of teeth. Following is the classification of teeth –
Humans have four types of teeth –
1. Incisors
2. Canines
3. Pre molars
4. Molars
Incisors –
These are the pointed teeth present in the front. The teeth generally visible when we smile.
These are used in cutting and biting food.
It is pointed and chisel shaped.
Canines –
These are more pointed than the incisors
They are also used in cutting and tearing of food
In non – vegetarians these are highly pointed as they are required to cut and tear the flesh
pre molars –
the are used for crushing the food, that is, for chewing purposes
these contain 2 cusps and are smaller than molars
these are absent in children
molars –
these mark the ends of the jaws
these contain 4 – 5 cusps
these are required for chewing and crushing of food
the last molars are regarded as wisdom tooth. Don’t go with the name, it does not bring wisdom, but it develops after a certain age, an age where the person is mature and wise, i.e., usually after the age of 17.
numbers –
an adult human being has the following number of teeth
· 8 incisors
· 4 canines
· 8 pre molars
· 12 molars
The formula for calculation of teeth is – (2*1*2*3) / (2*1*2*3) where this marks the half portions of upper and lower jaws.
Thus, this was the classification of teeth in human beings. I hope this helps.