Why Are Canine Teeth Essential in Humans and Animals?
Teeth help us bite and chew our food. There are different types of teeth present in our mouth and canine teeth make one of them. Canines are considered to be the longest and sharpest teeth and help us to tear our food. Dentists recognize the four canines we have as cuspids. Other mammals also have canines, especially carnivores. Here, we will study more about canines, their features, and their functions.
The sharpest and longest teeth we find in the jaws of carnivore mammals are called canines. These teeth can be seen when a mammal yawns or eats. This set of teeth is the longest among all the teeth as the prime function is to dig deeper into the bites and to tear flesh from the bones. It is called canine from the reference taken from the scientific name of dogs. It also resembles a carnivore’s fangs. Humans also have canine teeth for the same functions but our canines are shorter as compared to most mammals.
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Position of Canines
If you check the dentition of human beings then you will find that it can be divided into four halves. Each half consists of two incisors, one canine, two premolars, and three molars starting from the middle to the end. It means that one-half contains eight teeth and an adult has 32 teeth in total. It also shows that there are four canines distributed perfectly in the frontal portion of our jaws to help us tear food. If we consider the canine teeth function, we can easily understand how its position is the ideal one. These longest teeth dig deeper into the food when we bite and help us get a good grip. When a proper grip is taken, we can bite the food off with our incisors.
If you check the dentition of a human adult, you will find that this tooth appears in between incisors and premolars. The first canine appears in a human baby at the age of 17-23 months. When the baby is 23 months old, the rest of the canines will appear fully. In fact, an adolescent will lose his or her canines by the age of 9 to 12 years. These teeth will reappear from the jaws and will become permanent.
Functions of Canine Teeth
Apart from biting, chewing, and eating, the sharp canine teeth attractive attributes make a person’s smile look better. It also tends to give a good shape to your facial muscles resulting in a beautiful facial structure. This is the superficial function of these canine teeth.
The prime canine teeth function lies in eating food. As mentioned earlier, these teeth are present in carnivores. This tooth helps in gripping the flesh and bones while preying or eating food. When a carnivore bites, these teeth enter the deepest inside the flesh and allow a strong grip on the eater. Long canine teeth enable the eater to tear food and make smaller pieces for chewing.
Another function of canines is to lock the side movements of the jaws. They also aid in keeping the jaws in position while eating, chewing, breathing, and sleeping. The canines in humans help in maintaining the right shape of the lips. If you look very closely, you will find that the jaws turn from the canines towards the inner part of the oral cavity. This shape is guarded by the canines. These teeth provide extra support to the adjacent teeth too.
As mentioned earlier, canines are used for creating support for all the teeth to lodge on each other. We know that our lower jaw only moves. It uses the canines as locators for the right position to rest, bite, eat, and chew. The position and shape of the jaws are also maintained by these teeth. These teeth help humans to speak and to provide support to the tongue while doing it.
Difference between Canines and other Teeth
Molars and premolars have a broader surface to chew food. They act as grinders and chewers. On the other hand, the incisors are used for cutting food into bite-sized pieces. Canines, on the contrary, are the longest among all the teeth we have in our mouth. They pierce inside the food to get a good grip and let the incisors function easily. Canines can handle wear and tear better than incisors when it comes to biting and tearing food. Dentists suggest taking care of the gums of canines as they are more prone to erosion.
FAQs on Canine Teeth: Definition, Function & Characteristics
1. What are canine teeth and what are their other common names?
Canine teeth are a type of tooth located between the incisors and premolars in mammals. In humans, they are characterized by their single, pointed cusp. They are often referred to by other names, such as cuspids (due to their single cusp) or, more informally, eyeteeth, particularly the ones in the upper jaw which are located below the eyes.
2. What is the primary function of canine teeth in the human mouth?
The primary function of human canine teeth is to grip and tear food that is too tough for incisors to cut. While they are less pronounced than in carnivorous animals, they play a crucial role in processing a varied diet. Additionally, they help guide the jaw into the correct biting position and provide structural support to the lips.
3. How many canine teeth do humans have and where are they located?
A typical adult human has a total of four canine teeth. Their placement is symmetrical within the dental arches:
- Two canine teeth are in the upper jaw (maxilla).
- Two canine teeth are in the lower jaw (mandible).
In each quadrant of the mouth, there is one canine, situated third from the centreline, right next to the lateral incisors.
4. When do canine teeth typically erupt in babies and children?
The eruption of canine teeth occurs in two stages:
- Primary (baby) canines: These usually erupt between the ages of 16 to 22 months.
- Permanent (adult) canines: The lower canines typically erupt around ages 9 to 10, while the upper canines, or 'eyeteeth', emerge between the ages of 11 and 12 years.
5. How do human canine teeth differ from those found in carnivorous animals like tigers or dogs?
The primary difference lies in their function and size, reflecting dietary evolution. In humans, canines are relatively short and less pointed, adapted for an omnivorous diet of gripping and tearing. In carnivores, canine teeth are significantly longer, sharper, and more robust. They are used as primary weapons for hunting, killing prey, and asserting dominance, functions that are not required in humans.
6. Why are canine teeth considered the 'cornerstones' of the dental arch?
Canine teeth are called 'cornerstones' for two main reasons. First, they are located at the corners of the mouth, playing a vital role in shaping the smile and supporting facial structure. Second, and more importantly, they have the longest roots of any tooth in the human mouth. This makes them exceptionally stable and strong, allowing them to anchor the bite and absorb significant pressure during chewing, thus protecting other teeth from wear.
7. What is an impacted canine and why does it happen?
An impacted canine is a tooth that fails to erupt into its proper position in the dental arch and remains stuck within the jawbone. This is a common issue, especially with the upper canines. It often occurs due to:
- Overcrowding: Not enough space in the jaw for the tooth to emerge.
- Obstruction: The path of the erupting canine may be blocked by other teeth.
- Genetics: A family history of impacted teeth can increase the risk.
Treatment usually involves orthodontics to create space and a minor surgical procedure to guide the tooth into place.
8. How do the structure and function of canines compare to incisors?
Canines and incisors are neighbouring teeth with distinctly different roles:
- Structure: Incisors are wide and flat with a thin, chisel-like edge. Canines are conical with a single sharp point (cusp).
- Function: The primary function of incisors is to cut or slice food into smaller, manageable pieces. In contrast, canines are designed to pierce and tear tougher foods.
- Root System: Canines have a much longer and more robust root than incisors, providing superior stability within the jawbone.
