The names of the teeth are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each type has a different shape, position, and job, from biting and tearing to crushing and grinding food. Understanding these tooth names makes dental charts, checkups, and everyday oral-health conversations much easier.
If you have ever looked at a dental diagram and wondered which tooth is which, you are not alone. This guide breaks down human teeth names, tooth numbers, primary teeth, permanent teeth, wisdom teeth, and tooth functions in plain English, so you can quickly identify what is happening inside your mouth.
Types and Names of the Teeth
The four main names of the teeth in permanent human dentition are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Incisors are at the front, canines sit beside them, premolars follow the canines, and molars occupy the back of the mouth. Their shapes correspond closely to their functions.
Think of your teeth as a small team. Incisors handle cutting, canines help tear, premolars crush and break food down, and molars provide much of the grinding power. Together, these tooth types prepare food for swallowing and digestion.
| Tooth type | Number in adults | Main location | Main function |
| Incisors | 8 | Front | Biting and cutting |
| Canines | 4 | Beside incisors | Tearing |
| Premolars | 8 | Behind canines | Crushing and grinding |
| Molars | 12 | Back of mouth | Grinding and chewing |
The American Dental Association similarly describes incisors as cutting teeth, canines as tearing teeth, and molars as broad teeth adapted for crushing and grinding.
How Many Names of the Teeth Do You Have?
Most adults have 32 permanent teeth: eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and 12 molars. The 12 molars include the four third molars, commonly called wisdom teeth. However, not everyone develops all four wisdom teeth.
Children normally have 20 primary teeth, often called baby, milk, or temporary teeth. These include eight incisors, four canines, and eight molars. Primary teeth eventually loosen and are replaced by permanent teeth as the jaws and mouth develop.
The difference matters when reading a dental chart. Adults have premolars, while children do not have primary premolars. Instead, the primary molars are eventually replaced by permanent premolars.
Names of the Teeth: Tooth Numbers and Diagram
Dentists in the United States commonly use the Universal Numbering System to identify permanent teeth. Adult teeth are numbered from 1 through 32. The sequence begins with the upper-right third molar, moves across the upper arch, then continues along the lower arch.
This numbering system can look confusing because the chart represents the mouth from the viewer’s perspective. Numbers 1, 16, 17, and 32 represent the four third molars, or wisdom teeth. Knowing this system can make dental records and conversations with your dentist much easier to follow.
For primary teeth, the Universal system uses letters A through T rather than numbers. The lettering follows a similar path across the upper and lower arches.
| Adult tooth | Universal number range |
| Upper-right third molar | #1 |
| Upper-right to upper-left teeth | #1–16 |
| Lower-left third molar | #17 |
| Lower-left to lower-right teeth | #17–32 |
| Wisdom teeth | #1, #16, #17, #32 |
Verywell Health also explains that dental professionals use the Universal Numbering System to document changes in dental health and maintain accurate dental charts.
Names of the Teeth: What Are Incisors?
Incisors are the eight front teeth, with four in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw. They have relatively thin, sharp edges that resemble small chisels. Their primary job is to bite and cut food into manageable pieces before the food moves toward the back teeth.
There are two basic names for the front incisors: central incisors and lateral incisors. Central incisors sit closest to the middle of the mouth, while lateral incisors sit immediately beside them. These are the teeth people usually notice first when someone smiles.
Incisors also have roles beyond eating. They contribute to speech and help support the lips. Healthline notes that permanent incisors generally emerge during childhood after the primary teeth have begun their transition to the adult dentition.
Names of the Teeth: What Are Canines?
Canines are the four pointed teeth located beside the lateral incisors. There are two upper canines and two lower canines. Dentists may also call them cuspids, while the upper canines are sometimes known as eye teeth because of their position beneath the eyes.
The pointed shape of a canine is especially useful for gripping and tearing food. Compared with incisors, canines have a more pronounced point and are built for a different mechanical task. Their position also contributes to the way the upper and lower teeth meet during biting.
Canines are important during childhood tooth development, too. Permanent lower canines generally emerge around age 9, while upper canines commonly appear later, around ages 11 or 12, although individual eruption timing varies.
Names of the Teeth: What Are Premolars?
Premolars are the eight teeth positioned between the canines and molars. They are also called bicuspids because many have two prominent cusps on their chewing surfaces. Adults have four premolars in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw.
These teeth bridge the work performed by the front and back teeth. Their broader surfaces help crush and grind food, while their shape also gives them some characteristics associated with canines. This makes premolars important transitional teeth in the chewing process.
Unlike primary incisors, canines, and molars, primary teeth do not include premolars. Permanent premolars develop later and replace the primary molars. They commonly begin appearing around ages 10 to 12, depending on the individual.
Names of the Teeth: What Are Molars?
Molars are the large teeth toward the back of the mouth. Adults normally have 12 molars, including the first, second, and third molars. Their broad chewing surfaces contain multiple cusps and grooves that make them particularly effective at crushing and grinding food.
The first and second permanent molars are sometimes associated with the ages at which they typically emerge. Cleveland Clinic notes that most chewing takes place toward the back of the mouth, where the molars break food into smaller pieces.
The third molars are better known as wisdom teeth. They are the last permanent teeth to erupt and commonly appear during late adolescence or early adulthood. Not everyone develops four wisdom teeth, and some remain impacted because there is insufficient space for normal eruption.
First and Second Molars
The first molars sit behind the second premolars, while the second molars sit farther toward the back. Their broad surfaces are designed for heavy chewing and grinding, making them essential for breaking down tougher or fibrous foods.
Third Molars
Third molars are the final molars in each quadrant. They are commonly called wisdom teeth and may erupt between the late teenage years and early adulthood. When they lack sufficient room, they can become impacted and may require professional evaluation.
Names of the Teeth: Primary vs. Permanent Teeth
Primary teeth are the first set of teeth children develop, while permanent teeth are intended to remain throughout adulthood. A complete primary dentition contains 20 teeth, whereas a typical adult permanent dentition contains 32 teeth, including wisdom teeth.
Primary teeth generally begin erupting during infancy. Healthline reports that the first baby teeth commonly appear at about six months, while Cleveland Clinic gives a broader eruption window beginning around four months. Permanent teeth gradually replace primary teeth during childhood and adolescence.
| Feature | Primary teeth | Permanent teeth |
| Typical number | 20 | 32 |
| Other name | Baby teeth | Adult teeth |
| Premolars | No | Yes |
| Third molars | No | Yes |
| Universal system | A–T | 1–32 |
Names of the Teeth and Oral Hygiene
Knowing the names of the teeth is useful, but knowing how to care for them matters even more. Daily brushing, cleaning between teeth, fluoride toothpaste, and regular dental examinations help protect the enamel, gums, and supporting tissues around every tooth.
Different teeth can develop different problems. Grooves on molars can collect food and bacteria, while front teeth can be affected by trauma or wear. A dentist can evaluate pain, sensitivity, discoloration, swelling, or changes in the way your teeth meet.
Cleveland Clinic recommends brushing at least twice daily for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth daily, and maintaining regular dental visits.
Names of the Teeth: Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of teeth do humans have?
Humans have four main permanent tooth types: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each has a specialized shape and function. Incisors cut, canines tear, premolars crush, and molars primarily grind food.
How many primary teeth do babies have?
Children normally develop 20 primary teeth. These include eight incisors, four canines, and eight molars. The primary teeth are eventually replaced by permanent teeth.
Why do baby teeth fall out?
Primary teeth fall out as part of normal dental development, making room for permanent teeth underneath or behind them. This transition changes the child from a 20-tooth primary dentition to the larger permanent dentition.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars, located at the very back of the mouth. A person can have up to four, although some people have fewer or none. They may become impacted if there is insufficient room for them to erupt normally.
What are the names of the teeth in the front of your mouth?
The front teeth are primarily the central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines. Incisors are closest to the center, while canines sit beside the lateral incisors.
What are premolars also called?
Premolars are also known as bicuspids. They sit between the canines and molars and help crush and grind food. Adults normally have eight premolars.
What are the four main names of the teeth?
The four main names are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Together, these tooth groups perform the mechanical work needed to bite, tear, crush, and grind food.
What are teeth made of?
A tooth contains four principal tissues: enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp. Enamel protects the visible crown, dentin lies underneath it, cementum covers the root, and the pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
Why are tooth numbers used?
Dentists use tooth numbers to identify specific teeth consistently in records, examinations, treatment plans, and dental charts. In the United States, the Universal Numbering System assigns permanent teeth numbers from 1 through 32.
Understanding the names of the teeth turns a confusing dental chart into something much easier to read. From the central incisors at the front to the third molars at the back, every tooth has a particular position and purpose. Once you know those names, terms used during dental appointments become far less mysterious.
