Teeth and Food

A free interactive lesson on teeth and food — the three types of teeth and their jobs, how sugar causes cavities, and how to keep teeth strong. Class 4 Science. Includes a quick quiz.

Class 4 ScienceClass 4 / Grade 4Ages 6–9
Lesson
🦷 Teeth and Food
Your teeth are your food's first stop!Chewing breaks food into small pieces for easy digestion!

Digestion begins the moment food enters your mouth — with your teeth. Teeth break food into small pieces, making it much easier for your stomach and intestines to extract nutrients. Without proper chewing, your digestive system has to work much harder. Humans have two sets of teeth in a lifetime: twenty milk teeth that fall out, then thirty-two permanent adult teeth that must last the rest of your life.

What are the three types of teeth?

  • Incisors — four flat, chisel-shaped front teeth for biting and cutting food
  • Canines — pointed teeth next to the incisors for gripping and tearing
  • Molars — wide, flat teeth at the back for grinding food into paste

How do cavities form?

When you eat sugary food, bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar and produce acid. This acid slowly dissolves the hard enamel coating of teeth, creating holes called cavities. Brushing removes bacteria and food particles before they can produce acid. Fluoride toothpaste strengthens enamel.

Frequently asked questions

How many teeth do adults have?

Adults have 32 teeth, including 4 wisdom teeth that usually appear in late teens or early twenties. Children have 20 milk teeth that are gradually replaced by permanent teeth.

Why are teeth the hardest substance in the body?

Teeth are coated in enamel — the hardest biological material in the human body. Enamel is harder than bone, which is why teeth often survive after death. However, unlike bone, enamel cannot regenerate once damaged.

What foods are good for teeth?

Dairy products (calcium), crunchy vegetables (stimulate saliva), and water (washes away bacteria) are great for teeth. Avoid sticky sweets, fizzy drinks, and acidic foods that damage enamel.

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