New
New
Year 4

Types of teeth

I can identify and name different types of teeth in humans.

New
New
Year 4

Types of teeth

I can identify and name different types of teeth in humans.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Teeth can be observed in the mouth using a mirror.
  2. Dentists and dental hygienists use special mirrors to observe teeth more closely.
  3. At the front of the jaw, incisor teeth look flat and smooth.
  4. Near the front of the jaw, canine teeth look sharp and pointed.
  5. At the back of the jaw, molar teeth look wide, flat but bumpy.

Keywords

  • Teeth - Teeth are used to break down food before it is swallowed.

  • Observe - To observe is to look very closely and use other senses too.

  • Incisors - Incisors are sharp, flat teeth found at the front of the mouth.

  • Canines - Canines are slightly pointed teeth that sit on each side of incisor teeth at the front of the mouth.

  • Molars - Molars are teeth found at the back of the jaw with a rounded or flattened surface.

Common misconception

Children may think that all teeth are the same shape and size, and that different teeth do not have different names. They often do not know that our teeth are already in our jaw when we are born.

Allow opportunities for children to feel and look at their own teeth for differences in shape and size.

Red and white play-dough is useful for the modelling activity, however salt dough can be made in a larger batch size and more cheaply. Be aware of any children who may feel self conscious about their own teeth.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Dough or clay - something suitable for modelling gums and teeth. Small mirrors to observe their own teeth.

Content guidance

  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Where in the human body would you find your teeth?
An image in a quiz
feet
Correct answer: mouth
stomach
Q2.
Which of these do we need teeth for?
An image in a quiz
sleeping
blinking
Correct answer: eating food
drinking milk
Q3.
What is the name of this located inside your mouth?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: tongue
Q4.
When scientists look closely, and use other senses too, they are ...
asking questions.
recording results.
Correct answer: observing things.
Q5.
What is the part of the body that your teeth push through when they grow?
An image in a quiz
muscles
Correct answer: gums
lips
Q6.
Which part of the body is this bone?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: jaw
collarbone
rib cage
spine
Q6 Permission granted by © MPI f. Evolutionary Anthropology/ Pääbo

6 Questions

Q1.
In which part of the body would you be able to observe teeth?
Correct Answer: mouth, the mouth, your mouth, gums, jaw
Q2.
What piece of equipment would you use to observe your teeth?
tape measure
stopwatch
Correct answer: mirror
thermometer
Q3.
What is the name of the bumpy teeth found at the back of the jaw?
An image in a quiz
canines
Correct answer: molars
incisors
Q4.
What is the name of the flat teeth found at the front of the jaw?
An image in a quiz
canines
molars
Correct answer: incisors
Q5.
What is the name of the pointed teeth found either side of your front teeth?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: canines
molars
incisors
Q6.
Which of these would a dentist or dental hygienist use to observe teeth?
a hand lens
Correct answer: a concave mirror
a microscope
Q3 Alila Medical Media/shutterstock.com