How the Body Works: The Permanent Teeth

The permanent teeth of an adult consists of the incisors, the canines, premolars and molars, including the wisdom teeth-which may not erupt until twenty-five years of age, if at all. Each type of tooth has a specific function in dealing with food and reducing it to conveniently sized small pieces for swallowing---incisors bite and cut, canines bite and tear, premolars crush, and the molars crush and grind.