People have two sets of teeth in their lives, the primary teeth (also called the baby, milk or deciduous teeth) and the permanent teeth (also called the adult or secondary teeth). Children have 20 primary teeth; they are replaced by the permanent teeth by about age 13. Adults have 32 permanent teeth.

Primary Teeth:
Most babies are born with no visible teeth -- the teeth are forming inside the gums. The 20 primary teeth (also called baby teeth or first teeth) erupt (poke through the gums) over the time from when a baby is from about 6 months to a year old.

Permanent Teeth:
Primary teeth fall out and are replaced by 32 permanent teeth (also called the adult teeth). This happens over the time from when a child is from about 6 to 14 years old.

As a permanent tooth forms under the gums and in the jawbone, the roots of the primary tooth it is replacing dissolve. Then the primary tooth becomes loose and falls out. The permanent tooth will fill the space.

Wisdom Teeth:

Wisdom teeth (also called the third molars) are molars that usually erupt from the ages of 17 to 21.


Tooth Glossary:

canine (also called cuspid) - a type of tooth with a single point (also called canine tooth) and a single root. Cuspid teeth are used to hold and tear food. Adults have 4 canine teeth (2 in the top jaw and 2 in the bottom jaw). Canine means, "of or like a dog."

cementum - a layer of tough, yellowish, bone-like tissue that covers the root of a tooth. It helps hold the tooth in the socket. The cementum contains the periodontal membrane.

crown - the visible part of a tooth.

dentin - the hard but porous tissue located under both the enamel and cementum of the tooth. Dentin is harder than bone.

enamel - the tough, shiny, white outer surface of the tooth.

gums - the soft tissue that surrounds the base of the teeth.

incisor - a type of tooth with a narrow edge (in humans, the front teeth). Incisors are used to cut food. An incisor has 1 root. Adult humans have 8 incisors (4 in the top jaw and 4 in the bottom jaw).

molar - a wide, flat tooth found in the back of mammal's mouths. Molars grind food during chewing. Molars in the top jaw have 3 roots; molars in the lower jaw have 2 roots. Adults have 12 molars (6 in the top jaw and 6 in the bottom jaw).

nerves - nerves transmit signals (conveying messages like hot, cold, or pain) to and from the brain.

periodontal membrane/ligament - the fleshy tissue between tooth and the tooth socket; it holds the tooth in place. The fibers of the periodontal membrane are embedded within the cementum.

premolar (also called bicuspid) - the type of tooth located between the canine and the molars in humans. A bicuspid tooth has 1 root. Bicuspids have two points (cusps) at the top. Adults have 8 premolars (4 in the top jaw and 4 in the bottom jaw).

pulp - the soft center of the tooth. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves; it nourishes the dentin.

root - the anchor of a tooth that extends into the jawbone. The number of roots ranges from one to four.


Related Pages:
Tooth Crafts:

Styrofoam+Drinking Straw Puppets Make simple puppets from styrofoam trays and drinking straws.

Human Tooth Information and Printouts:

Tooth Anatomy Page Learn about the parts of a tooth and their functions. A short glossary of tooth-related terms is included.	Tooth-Shaped Worksheet on Primary and Permanent Teeth Read about primary and permanent teeth in this tooth-shaped worksheet and then answer four questions. a quiz on the parts of a tooth and their functions. Answers: 1. primary teeth, 2. adult teeth, 3. 20, 4. 32.	Tooth Learn the names and functions of the parts of a tooth.	Tooth Anatomy: Label Me! Printout Label the tooth diagram. Answers
Teeth Label Me! Printout Label the permanent teeth, including the incisors, canines (cuspids), premolars (bicuspids), and molars. Answers	Tooth Anatomy Quiz Printout Take a quiz on the parts of a tooth and their functions.	Match the Syllables: Tooth Words Match two syllables to make 10 tooth words. The words are dentist, molar, braces, sugar, decay, filling, sealant, flossing, fluoride, toothbrush. Or go to the answers.	Tooth Word Pieces Puzzle In this puzzle, combine pairs of word segments to make tooth-related spelling words. Words: bicuspid, canine, cuspid, dentine, enamel, incisor, molar, permanent, premolar, root, teeth. Or go to the answers.
Write Tooth-Related Definitions In this worksheet, write the definition of a word, what part of speech it is, and use it in a sentence. Words: dental, incisor, cuspid, premolar, molar, tooth crown, pulp, tooth enamel, dental cavity, root of tooth. Or go to the answers. Or go to a pdf of the questions and answers (subscribers only).	Teeth: Write a Question for Each Answer In this worksheet, the student is given a series of short answers using tooth-related words. For each answer, the student writes a short question.	List of Terms: Going to the Dentist This is a word bank of terms related to dentistry.