Whether you’re chowing down on a juicy steak or taking the first crisp bite of an apple, your teeth are the first step on the road to delicious goodness. That’s because your teeth play a big role in the chewing and digestion processes. However, not all teeth are created equal. Every mouth has four types of teeth: incisors, canines, bicuspids, and molars. Here’s everything you need to know about your pearly whites.

Teeth have lifecycles. If you remember your first visit from the tooth fairy, you likely know there’s a difference between baby teeth and adult teeth—or primary teeth and permanent teeth. The primary teeth grow in during childhood and are lost and replaced by permanent teeth over time.

Teeth have layers. Each tooth also has two parts: the crown and the root. Your crowns are what you brush every morning and night, while the root works under the gums, attaching the crown to the bone. There are also four tissue types that surround and fill each tooth. The harder-than-bone enamel surrounds the tooth, protecting the inner tissues. Dentin is the next line of defense, but it is softer than enamel, so decay is more likely if the enamel is breached. Cementum, true to its name, helps hold the tooth to the bone by covering the root. Finally, pulp comprises the innermost layer where the soft tissues are contained.

Teeth work together. Each unique tooth shape works to help you to bite, chew and digest. Incisors, usually the first teeth to emerge from the gums, are located at the top and bottom of the front of the mouth. There are eight of them, and they help you bite into every meal with ease. Next, come the four fangs, or canine teeth, that rip and tear into each bite. Bicuspids, or premolars, get the job of chewing and grinding the food. These four teeth are designed to replace the molars, which also grind and chew teeth. The permanent molars develop behind primary teeth in the back of the mouth instead of replacing them.

Some people have extra teeth. Surprisingly, the so-called wisdom teeth are molars (sometimes called third molars). While most people develop at least some of the four, others never do. The wisdom teeth are removed if they crowd the other teeth or if they are impacted and never emerge from the gums.

No matter their size, shape or function, your teeth are important. Regular dental checkups and cleanings can help yours continue to look their best. For the latest and greatest information about your specific needs, talk to your dentist. At TenderCare Dental in Tigard, we can help you determine what procedures to schedule and how to maintain good oral health outside the office. Schedule your appointment online today to experience the best in dental care!