---
title: "Types of Teeth"
description: "Identify the four tooth types in a typical adult set: incisors cut, canines tear, and premolars and molars crush and grind. Recognize that baby teeth have no premolars, compare tooth jobs in rabbits a"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/types-of-teeth-mt_I047mKeeaq
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/types-of-teeth-mt_I047mKeeaq.md
retrieved: 2026-11-12
---

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# Types of Teeth

Identify the four tooth types in a typical adult set: incisors cut, canines tear, and premolars and molars crush and grind. Recognize that baby teeth have no premolars, compare tooth jobs in rabbits and lions, and use tooth shape as a clue rather than proof of an animal's whole diet.

Subject: Science · Area: The Human Body · Ages 7 to 9
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/types-of-teeth-mt_I047mKeeaq

## Ready when they can

- Name the four tooth types in a typical adult set and their jobs; explain that baby teeth have grinding molars but no premolars
- Compare cutting and grinding teeth in rabbits with tearing and cutting teeth in lions, and explain the limits of one tooth-shape clue
- Explain that humans can eat plant and animal foods, while an individual's food choices do not change one tooth type into another

## Lesson: Types of Teeth

A typical adult set has four tooth types: incisors, canines, premolars and molars. Baby teeth have molars for grinding, but no premolars. As a child, you may have a mixture of baby and adult teeth. You may not have premolars yet.

Incisors are front teeth with thin cutting edges. Canines are pointed teeth beside them that help tear food. Premolars sit behind the canines, with molars farther back. Premolars and molars have broad, bumpy chewing surfaces that crush and grind food.

*(drawing: These word boxes list tooth jobs. They do not show tooth shapes.)*

**Example.** Rabbits are herbivores. Their front teeth cut plants, and broad back teeth grind them. Lions are carnivores. Their canines grip and tear meat; sharp-edged back teeth cut it. Broad chewing surfaces are a clue to grinding. Tooth shape helps us work out a tooth's job, but one shape alone does not tell us the animal's whole diet.

Humans are omnivores: as a species, we can eat plant and animal foods. Our teeth cut, tear and grind many foods. Choosing only plant foods does not turn canines or incisors into molars. Tooth types keep their jobs, and having canines does not mean a person has to eat meat.

**Recap.** Incisors cut, canines tear, and premolars and molars crush and grind. Baby teeth have no premolars. Tooth shape gives clues to tooth jobs.

*Original lesson, questions and flashcards written for this learning dataset.*

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Herbivores, Carnivores & Omnivores](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/herbivores-carnivores-and-omnivores-mt_13CtLTcWUB)

## Optional connections

- [The Digestive Journey](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/the-digestive-journey-mt_JpQUM1129q)