Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Teeth Types and Functions

While the mouth is a small part of our overall anatomy, it’s filled with many things that keep our health in tip top shape. One of these many properties includes the teeth. Without teeth, we wouldn’t be able to chew our food and nourish our bodies. If you’ve ever wondered why all of your teeth are different shapes and sizes, our doctors at Garrison Family Dentistry would like to educate you. We have four types of teeth and they all have different functions including:



  • Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.

  • Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.

  • Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.

  • Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.


To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.garrisondentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Garrison Family Dentistry here in Smithville, MO, call 816-532-8778.

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