Welcome to this hall on the mammalian Teeth
Meaning: Dentition refers to the number, arrangement and confirmation of teeth in an organism.
Types of Dentition
There are two main types of dentition. These are:
1. Homodont dentition: In this type of dentition, the organisms have the same type of teeth. No set of teeth is specialized for any function. All the teeth are of the same shape, size and functions. Examples of homodont dentition are found in fishes, amphibians and reptiles.
2. Heterodont dentition: In this type of dentition, the organisms possess teeth of different shapes, sizes and functions.
Examples of organisms having heterodont dentition are mammals, e.g. rabbits, man, dog, cattle, etc.
The Mammals generally have four different types of teeth. These are incisors, canines, premolars and molars. This type of teeth possessed by an animal is closely related to the type of food it eats.
Mammals again have two sets of teeth. This are milk teeth and permanent teeth.
Milk Teeth: This is the set of teeth possessed by the young ones (i.e children in the case of human) and it is made up of the incisor, canine and premolar teeth (i.e without the molar).
Permanent Teeth: This is the set of teeth possess by adult Mammals and are usually four types. These are incisor, canine, premolars and molar teeth. They remain till old age and may number up to 32 in man.
Read Also
- Circulatory system of mammals, types and differences
- Excretion in mammals, mechanism and structure
- Reproductive systems in mammals and their functions
Types of Teeth
There are four types of teeth in mammals this are incisors, canines, premolars and molars.
- Incisors: These are located in the front of the jaw. They are flats, chisel-shaped with a sharp edge used for cutting and holding on to the prey so that they do not escape.
- Canines: They are found next to incisors. They are Sharp and pointed at the tips. Canines are used for tearing flesh and for grinding and chewing of food.
- Premolars: Premolars are located at the back of the jaw following the canines. They are large, ridged flat surfaces or cusps used for grinding and chewing of food.
- Molars: Molars are located at the extreme back of the jaws. They are closely packed with ridged surfaces. They are used for chewing and grinding of food.
Structure of a Tooth: of the Mammalian Teeth
The typical tooth search as the Canine or incisor is made up of three regions which are the crown, the neck and the roots.
- The crown is the part of the tooth that is above the gum.
- The root is the part of the tooth that is embedded in the socket of the gum.
- The neck is the narrow junction between the crown and the root.
Incisors and canine have one root each while premolars and molars may have two or three roots each.
Dental Formula of the Mammalian Teeth
Meaning: The dental formula refers to the numbers and types of teeth present in the mouth of an animal. The numbers and types of teeth present in the jaw of an animal is a reflection of special adaptation of mammalian teeth for feeding.
Adaptation of Mammalian Teeth for Feeding
The Teeth of Man
The dental formula of man is: i = c = p = m = 32.
Man is an omnivore, i.e. he feeds on both flesh and vegetables and the teeth, 32 in number is adapted to the kind of diet it feed on.
- Incisors are Sharp and broad for cutting food.
- Canines are bluntly pointed and are used for gripping and tearing of food.
- Premolars and molars have strong cusps for chewing and grinding of food.
The Teeth of Dog
The dental formula of dog is: I =, c =, p =, m = = 42.
Dog is a carnivorous animal, i e it fits of flesh and hands its teeth, 42 a number are adapted to the kind of food it eats.
- Incisors which are small and pointed are used for cutting small pieces of meat from bones.
- Canines are long, curved, large and pointed. They are used for attack, defense as well as allowing the animal to seize its prey and tear off flesh from bones.
- Premolars and molars are are broad and thick. The last premolar in the upper jaw and the first molar in the lower jaw are large and modified to form carnassial teeth. They possess sharp cutting edges which are used to cut up meat and tear it away from bones. They are used also for cracking bones. Premolars and molars are cusps, blunt with flat surfaces used mainly for cutting and grinding.
The Teeth Of Rabbits
The dental formula of rabbit is: i =, c =, p =, m = = 28.
The rabbit is a herbivorous animal, i.e it feeds mainly on vegetables hence it teeth, 28 in number, is adapted to the kind of food it eats.
- It’s incisors are flat with sharp cutting edge for the cutting of vegetables or grasses.
- The canines are absent. The space created by their absence is called the diastema. The diastema allows the manipulation of grasses in the mouth.
- Premolars and molars are large, closely packed and have large ridged surface area of cutting and grinding.
Dental Care of the Mammalian Teeth
The decaying of teeth by bacteria and other fermentation of starch within the teeth can be prevented by adequately caring for the teeth. The teeth can therefore be careful in the following ways:
- The teeth should be cleaned with brush or chewing stick and toothpaste twice a day especially after male and before going to bed.
- Stains due to eating kola or tobacco smoking should be removed by using hydrogen peroxide to wash the mouth.
- Vitamins and minerals containing food such as green vegetables, fresh fruits, butter, cheese, milk and eggs should be taken regular.
- Sugary foods and drinks like sweet, ice cream soft drinks etc should be avoided because bacterial feed on sugar and in the process turn them into acid which attacks the teeth.
- The dentist should be visited for regular check-up at least twice a year.
- Artificial teeth should always be removed and washed with gemicide solution after each meal.
- Food particles or meat should be removed after meal.
- Misuse of teeth such as opening bottle cork or cracking large bones that may cause damage to the enamel should be avoided.