The average adult has 32 permanent teeth.
Permanent teeth, also known as adult or secondary teeth, replace the primary (baby) teeth. The development of permanent teeth begins in the jaws around birth and continues throughout childhood. By the time a person reaches approximately 21 years of age, they typically have a full set of 32 permanent teeth. This includes 16 teeth in the upper jaw (maxilla) and 16 teeth in the lower jaw (mandible).
These 32 teeth consist of:
- Incisors (8): Used for cutting food.
- Canines (4): Used for tearing food.
- Premolars (8): Used for grinding and crushing food.
- Molars (12): Also used for grinding and crushing food, including the wisdom teeth (third molars).
It's important to note that some individuals may have fewer than 32 teeth, either due to congenitally missing teeth or having their wisdom teeth (third molars) extracted. Wisdom teeth are often removed because the jaw may not be large enough to accommodate them properly, leading to impaction or other dental problems.
