How can you tell they’ve got it: Types of Teeth?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Name the four tooth types and describe each one's job: incisors cut, canines tear, premolars/molars grind; Compare human teeth to herbivore teeth (flat, for grinding plants) and carnivore teeth (sharp, for tearing meat); Explain that humans have all types because we are omnivores — we eat both plants and meat. Or just try it together: Can your child look in a mirror, point out their different types of teeth, and explain what each type is for?

Science The Human Body Ages 7–9

Types of Teeth

Your child can name four kinds of teeth. Front teeth cut, pointed ones tear, and flat back teeth grind. We have all types because we eat both plants and meat.

In curriculum terms

Identify the four types of human teeth (incisors for cutting, canines for tearing, premolars and molars for grinding) and understand that tooth shape is linked to function, just as in other animals — herbivores have flat teeth, carnivores have sharp teeth

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Name the four tooth types and describe each one's job: incisors cut, canines tear, premolars/molars grind
Compare human teeth to herbivore teeth (flat, for grinding plants) and carnivore teeth (sharp, for tearing meat)
Explain that humans have all types because we are omnivores — we eat both plants and meat

🖨 Print this page to keep the checklist — it prints beautifully.

Try this together

Can your child look in a mirror, point out their different types of teeth, and explain what each type is for?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

The Digestive Journeyages 7–9Understanding tooth types enriches understanding of digestion starting in the mouth

Types of Teeththis skill · ages 7–9

Unlocks

Types of Teethages 8–9Enrichment knowledge of four tooth types supports formal curriculum study of teeth and their functions

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits outside the F–6 Australian Curriculum — no candidate code matched (v0.1). No NSW K–6 outcome code matched (v0.1). No Victorian Curriculum 2.0 code matched (v0.1).

Nearby on the map

Balanced Diet & Food Groupsages 7–9 Cells, Tissues & Organsages 7–9 How Muscles Move Bonesages 7–9 How the Eye Worksages 7–9

All The Human Body skills →