Question

State the function of teeth.

Answer 1

Hint:- Teeth in man are present in both the jaws and are thecodont i.e. they are embedded in the jaw sockets, called alveoli, of mandible and maxilla bones of lower and upper jaw respectively. The human teeth are also diphyodont.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
- All teeth have a similar basic structure consisting of three parts- crown, neck and root. Crown is
the exposed part of the tooth and is formed of shining, whitish, and hard substance called
enamel. Neck is usually covered by a fleshy skin called gum. Root is embedded in the socket of
jaw bone and is fixed by a bone like cementum and a thick fibrous periodontal membrane.
- Tooth is mainly formed of a bone like material called dentine. In the centre of dentine is present
a pulp canal which is filled with a soft gelatinous and vascular connective tissue called pulp. Pulp
canal is lined by a layer of dentine-forming cells called odontoblasts which give cytoplasmic
process in the canaliculi of dentine.
- The four types of teeth are-incisors, canines, premolars and molars.
- Incisors are the cutting teeth. These are sharp pointed and chisel shaped.
- Canines are called the tearing teeth and they are used to tear the flesh in animals.
- Premolars and molars are grinding or cheek teeth. They are used to grind the food.
- The main function of the teeth is the mastication of food. It increases the surface area of the food
for better action of enzymes on it during digestion.

Note:- The formulae showing the number and arrangement of teeth in one-half of each jaw is called dental formula. The dental formulae of human adults is 2132 and they have around 32 teeth in their mouth.