Incisors Meaning: What Incisor Teeth Are and What They Do

The word comes from the Latin for "to cut". Incisors are the front teeth, the ones that meet edge to edge like a pair of scissors when you bite into an apple or tear a piece of roti. Each has a single, straight, thin cutting edge and a single root.

There are four types of teeth in all. Incisors are the first, followed by canines, premolars and molars. Our guide on the types of teeth puts them side by side.

In each jaw, the two teeth at the very middle are the central incisors. The ones next to them are the lateral incisors. The upper central incisors are the biggest and most visible. The lower incisors are narrow and are often the first teeth to show crowding or tartar build-up.

Next to the lateral incisors sit the canine teeth, which finish the front segment of the arch.

Incisors cut food into bite-sized pieces, help form sounds such as "f", "v" and "th" in speech, and support the lips. Because they are so visible, they are the teeth people notice when they are chipped, stained, gapped or crooked.

Children have eight milk incisors, which fall out and are replaced by eight permanent ones. Our guide on primary teeth covers the milk set. Permanent incisors have small bumps on the edge when they first come through, which wear smooth with time.

Front teeth are most at risk from knocks and falls, so chips, cracks and loosened teeth often involve the incisors. A knocked tooth needs a dentist the same day. Other common concerns are gaps, protruding upper teeth, crowding and staining from tea or tobacco.

Treatment depends on the problem and can range from polishing and bonding to braces, crowns or veneers. A dentist will advise after examining the teeth.