Teeth - PowerPoint

Year 4 students delve into the fascinating world of dental science, exploring the vital role teeth play in our everyday lives. Teeth are not just for flashing a smile; they serve the crucial function of cutting, tearing, and grinding food. This mechanical breakdown makes it easier to swallow and digest what we eat. Human teeth are designed to handle an omnivorous diet, meaning they can process both meat and plant-based foods. Throughout a lifetime, humans will have two sets of teeth: the first, 'milk teeth', comprises 20 teeth that are eventually replaced by a full set of 32 permanent teeth.

There are four distinct types of human teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars, each with a specific shape and function. Incisors are the sharp, blade-like teeth at the front of the mouth, perfect for biting into foods like apples. Canines, found next to the incisors, are pointed and ideal for tearing food, such as meat. Behind the canines are the premolars, which resemble a cross between canines and molars, aiding in both tearing and grinding. Lastly, molars are situated at the back of the mouth, with broad surfaces that mash and grind food. The lesson also explores how different animals have teeth adapted to their diets, with carnivores sporting sharp canines for tearing flesh and herbivores equipped with incisors and flat molars for grinding plants.