Canines are a kind of teeth in human anatomy amongst four types of teeth in total. Basically it is used for tearing and ripping food. Canines are sharper than other teeth. It is mainly because as primate hominides, to fulfill the purpose of canines, like, attacking prey, preventing others from taking prey etc. these teeth needed to be sharper.
Even though with time, those purposes no longer exist. So, with evolution, it has become less sharper. But still, canines are sharper than other teeth.
On the other hand, the sharpness and pointiness of canines is not the same in different people.
Why are My Canine Teeth so Sharp?
It varies because of genetics.
If you want to know about this in detail, stick with us till the end.
Properties and functions of canine teeth
There are four types of teeth in human anatomy. Canine teeth or cuspid or eye teeth are one of them. There are some characteristics and functions of these teeth which differentiate them from other teeth. Some of them are discussed below.
Properties of canine teeth:
- Generally, there are 32 teeth in an adult human body. In 32 teeth, there are four canine teeth.
- Two sets of two canine teeth are placed in the upper and lower arch. The upper canine teeth are maxillary canines and lower canines are mandibular canines.
- Canines are bigger in size and hold more strength than incisors.
- They sink deeper than any other teeth as their roots are longer than any other tooth.
- They create profound prominence over the surface they are sunk upon.
- Each of the canine teeth has a single, pointy cusp and that is why it is called cuspid.
Functions of canine teeth:
Canines are basically used for ripping and tearing food. They are also used to build the corners of our mouth.
To fulfill the purpose of canine teeth, the characteristics of canines are like this.
Why are My Canine Teeth so Sharp?
Like other mammals, humans have sharper fang teeth known as canines. These are sharper than other teeth. According to a curator of physical anthropology at the Museum of Natural History, Sabrina Sholts, “All primate species have them.”
Most anthropologists believe that canines are sharper than other teeth. Because early hominids used to use canines for attacking prey, obstructing others from taking their prey, for mating competition.
Over the millennia of evolution in human anatomy, these teeth have become much smaller than earlier as the purpose to use these teeth over ages has changed drastically. Humans basically use canines for tearing and ripping food in this age.
On The other hand, the sharpness and pointiness of canines varies from person to person for genetic reasons. Some have sharper canines than others. But it is a universally proven fact that canine teeth are sharper than other teeth.
Why are the other teeth not as sharp as canine teeth?
The other types of teeth in human anatomy are incisors, molars and premolars. The functions and characteristics of these teeth are far different than canines. And this plays a role in the canines being sharper.
Incisors:
There are a total of 8 incisors located in the upper and lower jaw. Their main function is to cut food. To fulfill this purpose, incisors don’t need to be as sharp as canines.
Molars:
There are in total 12 molars including 4 wisdom teeth. They are located in the back of the mouth. Their main function is to grind food. To grind food, they don’t need to be as sharp as canines.
Premolars:
There are 4 sets of two premolar teeth in each quadrant of the mouth. They are situated in between canines and molars. Their main purpose is to crush and grind food. For that, they don’t need sharper edges like canines.
Overall, it can be said that the other teeth do not carry out the functions of canine which is to tear and rip food apart. That is why, it is not required for them to be as sharp as canines.
Conclusion
The purpose of canines as an early hominid also as a primate species required sharpness. With evolution and time, the purposes no longer exist. But the purposes like, attacking prey, preventing others from taking prey and mating competition, sharpness of canines was a must.
The canines are sharper than other teeth as these teeth are used for tearing and ripping food. The other functions of other teeth are different. Like, incisors cut food, molars grind food, premolars crush and grind food. These functions do not require sharpness. And that is the reason why they are not as sharp as canines.
These also vary from person to person for genetic reason,
So it can be said easily that canines are sharper than other teeth because of their function and the reasons discussed above.
