Teeth are essential parts of our bodies, and we use them to bite and chew food. Humans have two sets of teeth: baby teeth and adult teeth, and they can also be classified as primary teeth and permanent teeth.
Primary teeth, or baby teeth, start to come in when a baby is around six months old, and they are usually all in by the time a child is three years old. Primary teeth are essential because they help the child eat and speak properly.
Permanent teeth, or adult teeth, start to erupt when a child is around six years old, and they are usually all in by the time a person is twelve years old with the exception of wisdom teeth.
Permanent teeth are essential because they help people chew tough food and speak clearly as well as playing a critical role in esthetics.
So how many teeth do humans have? Well, most people usually have 32 adult teeth in their mouths: eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and twelve molars.
However, some people may have less as the wisdom teeth sometimes never grow in.
So How Many Teeth Do Humans Have?
Most people have 32 adult teeth and twenty primary teeth. The last four permanent teeth sometimes come in normally or they stay under the gums. This includes the wisdom teeth, which most people get in their late teens or early twenties.
The wisdom teeth are the last of the adult teeth to come in.
Children start to lose their baby teeth around age six. The final tooth usually comes in between ages twelve and thirteen, although it is not unheard of for kids to lose their baby teeth much earlier or later than this.
While it is possible for humans to have more than 32 teeth, it is not normal. It is much more common for people to have less rather than more of the normal number of teeth.
How Many Sets of Teeth Do Humans Have?
Unlike some species such as sharks that have many sets of teeth, humans have two sets of teeth in their lifetime – a set of baby teeth and a set of adult teeth.
Generally, baby teeth start falling out around age six and are all gone by age thirteen. The first teeth are usually the two bottom front teeth, followed by the top four front teeth. This process continues until all twenty of the baby teeth have been replaced by adult teeth.
It is not uncommon for people to lose a permanent tooth or two over their lifetime, which can be due to decay, gum disease, or an accident. If a tooth is lost, it is usually replaced with an implant or a bridge.
How Many Baby Teeth Do Humans Have?
As aforementioned, babies are born with twenty teeth, which they lose around age six as their adult teeth come in. The twenty teeth don’t grow at the same time. Baby teeth start growing when a baby is around six months old. The final tooth usually comes in between ages twelve and thirteen.
The first tooth that comes in is usually the lower front tooth, and the top front teeth come in next. This process continues until all twenty of the baby teeth have come in.
There can be significant variability in the eruption pattern and kids may have their first tooth come in as late as their second birthday. If this happens, don’t panic as with enough time, the teeth will come in.
How Many Teeth Do Adults Have?
So how many teeth do adults have? Generally, adults should have 32 adult teeth. However, it is common to find adults with less than 32 as some may never grow in or be congenitally missing.
Poor oral health can also contribute to having less than 32 teeth. People who do not practice good oral hygiene can be missing a number of teeth.
Wisdom teeth are one of the most variable teeth that humans have. The shape and morphology in addition to presence can vary wildly.
Additionally because of the many problems wisdom teeth have with regard to oral health, many people opt to have their wisdom teeth removed.
What Types of Teeth Do We Have?
We have four types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Here is a comprehensive explanation of these types:
Incisors
Incisors are the front teeth that you can easily see when someone laughs. They are flat on the top and tapered on the bottom. There are usually eight incisors in each set of human teeth- four on the top and four on the bottom.
They are used for tearing and biting food.
Canines
Canines are the sharp teeth located next to the incisors. There are usually four canines in each set of human teeth- two on the top and two on the bottom. They are also called the “eyetooth” or “cuspid.”
They are used for tearing and biting food.
Premolars
Premolars are the teeth located behind the canines. There are usually eight premolars in each set of human teeth- four on the top and four on the bottom. They are also called “bicuspids.”
They are used for grinding and crushing food.
Molars
Molars are large teeth located in the back of the mouth. There are usually twelve molars in each set of human teeth- six on the top and six on the bottom.
They are used for grinding and crushing food.
The teeth can also be classified broadly as either anterior or posterior. Anterior teeth include the incisors and canines, while posterior teeth include the premolars and molars.
Anterior teeth are mainly used for cutting or tearing food. In contrast, posterior teeth are primarily used for grinding or crushing food.
Conclusion
The answer to the question how many teeth do humans have is 32 teeth. With the four types of teeth being incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. But it is common to find adults with less than 32 adult teeth.
This is because of tooth decay, gum disease, or accidental loss. Wisdom teeth may also never grow in or be removed to prevent problems.
