Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Dentition refers to the arrangement and type of teeth in an animal's mouth, which are crucial for functions like catching and chewing food. In mammals, teeth have evolved to specialize based on diet. Primitive teeth were sharp for tearing flesh or crushing exoskeletons. Herbivores often develop complex cheek teeth for grinding, while omnivores, like humans, have molars with rounded cusps.12

The human digestive system begins in the mouth, where teeth play a key role in mastication (chewing). This mechanical process breaks down food into smaller particles and mixes it with saliva, preparing it for further digestion. Humans typically have two sets of teeth: primary (deciduous) and permanent. The permanent dentition consists of incisors for cutting, canines for tearing, premolars for cutting and grinding, and molars for crushing and grinding. The structure of teeth includes enamel (the hardest tissue), dentine, and pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels.31

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.