Why Do We Have Teeth?

Imagine if you had no teeth. You wouldn’t be able to eat, speaking would be difficult and you wouldn’t be able to digest food properly. Teeth are extremely useful and they help tear, cut, and break up food into very small pieces so that you can swallow easily. Because of the impact they have on our overall health, they give us the energy that we need to live. In case you aren’t aware that you have four different types of teeth, Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS thought it would be neat to explain what they are 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 further questions regarding your teeth, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.suzannehaeridds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Suzanne Haeri, DDS herself in our Los Angeles, CA office, call 310-657-2200.