Hard mineralized structures embedded in the jaws that cut, tear, and grind food during the first stage of digestion.
Structure
Adults typically have 32 permanent teeth: 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars including the third molars or wisdom teeth. Each tooth has a crown above the gum and one or more roots anchored in the jawbone.
Layers
The visible enamel is the hardest tissue in the body. Beneath it lies dentin, a calcified tissue, surrounding a soft inner pulp that houses blood vessels and nerves. Cementum covers the root surface.
Function by type
Incisors cut food, canines tear, and premolars and molars crush and grind. Together they shape food into a bolus ready for swallowing.
Find more body parts by letter
Teeth starts with T and ends with H. Browse other body parts along the same letter.
Body Parts that contain a letter from "Teeth":