Final answer:
The human mouth contains incisors, canines, premolars, and molars, each specialized for different functions in eating. During a lifetime, two sets of teeth emerge: deciduous teeth appear in infancy and are replaced by permanent teeth during childhood, with wisdom teeth typically emerging in early adulthood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The human mouth contains several different types of teeth, each serving a unique purpose in the digestive process. The eight incisors, located at the front of the mouth, are utilized for biting into food. Flanking them are the four cuspids (canines), with sharp cusps ideal for tearing food apart. Moving further back, the eight premolars (bicuspids) are designed with two cusps for mashing foods. Lastly, the 12 molars, including the wisdom teeth, which sometimes remain impacted and require removal, serve to crush food to make it ready for swallowing.
In terms of dental development, humans have two sets of teeth over their lifetime. Deciduous teeth, or baby teeth, first appear around 6 months of age and are replaced by permanent teeth between ages 6 and 12. This transition includes the eventual emergence of wisdom teeth during early adulthood.