–––––––––––––– Human Teeth ––––––––––––

A. Types of teeth

 Teeth break down large pieces of food into small pieces.

 Human have four different kinds of teeth – incisors, canines, premolars and
molars
Incisors are chisel–shaped, with a sharp edge. They
are used for biting off small pieces of food so that
you can take the food into your mouth.

Canines are more pointed than incisors. In humans

they are used for tearing food apart

Premolars have broad surfaces with ridges on them.

They are used for tearing and grinding food when you
chew.

Molars are like premolars, but sometimes a bit bigger.

They are also used for crushing and grinding food.
 B. The structure of a tooth

 The diagram shows what a molar tooth looks like if it is cut in half. The
diagram also shows the gum and jawbone.

 Teeth has an outer covering of very hard enamel, which contains calcium.
Inside the tooth are the dentine and the pulp cavity, which contains living
cells. Cement holds the Teeth in the jawbone by strong fibres.

Enamel – a very hard covering,

containing calcium
Crown
Dentine – a layer containing living
gum
cells, not as hard as enamel

Pulp cavity – containing blood

vessels and nerves

fibres

Cement – Holds tooth in jaw

by small fibres. This allows a
Root little movement of tooth

jawbone

Blood supply to the tooth