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The Conversation USA

Why do people have baby teeth and adult teeth?

  • Written by Christina Nicholas, Associate Professor of Orthodontics and of Anthropology, University of Illinois Chicago

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.


Why do people have two sets of teeth? – Ivy D., age 11, Hyde Park, New York


Teeth help animals bite and chew food. Meat-eating carnivores tend to have sharp teeth to sink into their prey,...

Read more: Why do people have baby teeth and adult teeth?

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