What Do Our Teeth Do?

At Fairwood Dental Center, we take pride in educating you about oral health and dental hygiene. Our teeth are used every day whether we are chewing, speaking, or smiling for the camera, but have you ever wondered why all of your teeth are different shapes and sizes? That’s because they all do different things! Read on to learn about the different types of teeth you have and the purpose they serve in your mouth!

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have questions about your teeth, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.fairwooddental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Fairwood Dental Center here in Renton, WA, call 425-271-7725.