The teeth are small whitish calcium structures found in the jaws of vertebrates. The teeth are used to break down food materials they eat. However, to carnivores, the teeth are normally used for hunting or for the purpose of defending themselves during danger. But then, how many teeth do adults have? You can click here to know more.
Number of teeth in a particular species and their shape vary according to the diet they take. For instance, herbivorous do have many molars they use for chewing and grinding and carnivores, on the other hand, need canines to help them kill their prey and eat meat.
Other animals like the mammals that include human beings develop two sets of teeth. In human beings, their first set of teeth normally appears at the age of six months. This set of teeth is called the milk teeth. The number of baby teeth is about 20. However, an adult human consists of 32 permanent teeth which comprise the second set of teeth.
For the 32 permanent teeth for the adults, 16 are found at the upper jaw and the rest for the lower jaw. Teeth can be classified into four major categories which are the canines, incisors, premolars, and molars. An adult human being usually has four incisors found in each jaw. Similarly, two canines, four premolars, and six molars are present in each of the jaws.
The lower jaw teeth consist of the central incisor found on the mandible, mandibular canine, mandibular lateral incisor, mandibular first, second and third molar, mandibular first and second premolar. The upper jaw, on the other hand, consists of the maxillary lateral incisor, maxillary central incisor, maxillary first and second premolar, maxillary canine, maxillary first, second and third molars.
While it is known that an adult consists of 32 teeth, there is a rare case that exists. Third molars, commonly called wisdom teeth may also develop. However, they usually may not form in the mouth. In this case, there will be only 28 teeth present in the mouth. Development of fewer teeth is called hypodontia. On the other hand, there may be the formation of some additional teeth such as fourth or fifth molars also, but they are very rare.