Science · Colouring and short-answer worksheet
Types of Teeth and Their Jobs: Free KS2 Science Worksheet
This free printable worksheet supports the Year 4 science topic Animals, including humans, in which children learn to identify the different types of teeth in the human mouth and describe what each type is for. The single colour-in illustration shows a friendly open mouth, giving children a clear, hands-on way to look closely at the shapes of real teeth.
Designed for children aged 8 to 9, the sheet pairs a calm colouring task with short written questions so that learners both observe and explain. It prints neatly onto one sheet of A4 and works equally well at home or in the classroom. An answer guide is included below for the grown-up.
Types of Teeth and Their Jobs
Free Science worksheet · Ages 8 to 9
Colour the teeth
Look closely at the open mouth. Colour the flat front teeth (incisors) blue, the pointier teeth next to them (canines) red, and the wide back teeth (molars) green.
- Colour the flat front teeth blue. These are the incisors.
- Colour the pointier teeth at the corners red. These are the canines.
- Colour the wide, bumpy back teeth green. These are the molars.
- Colour the lips and tongue in your favourite colours.
Name the tooth and its job
Use the word bank to help you answer each question in a full sentence.
Which flat teeth at the front are used to bite and cut food?
Which pointier teeth grip and tear food?
Which wide teeth at the back grind and crush food?
Write a sentence to describe the job of your molars.
Types of Teeth and Their Jobsowee.worldAnswer key
- Which flat teeth at the front are used to bite and cut food? — Incisors
- Which pointier teeth grip and tear food? — Canines
- Which wide teeth at the back grind and crush food? — Molars
- Write a sentence to describe the job of your molars. — Molars grind and crush food into small pieces ready to swallow.
What this worksheet covers
Humans have four kinds of teeth, but at Key Stage 2 children usually focus on three: incisors, canines and molars (premolars are often introduced as a type of grinding tooth alongside molars). This worksheet asks children to recognise each type by its shape and position and to describe its simple job.
The flat, chisel-shaped incisors at the front bite and cut food. The pointier canines just behind them grip and tear. The broad, lumpy molars at the back grind and crush food into small pieces ready to swallow. Linking each shape to its function helps children understand that a tooth's form matches the job it does.
How to use the sheet at home or in class
Begin with the colouring task. Invite the child to look in a mirror, or to feel their own teeth gently with a clean finger, and notice how the front teeth feel sharp and flat while the back teeth feel wide and bumpy. They can then colour the matching teeth on the picture in different colours, which makes the three groups easy to see.
Move on to the written questions, encouraging full sentences such as ‘Molars grind and crush food.’ A small word bank is provided to support spelling and to scaffold less confident writers. For an extension, ask the child to name a food that each type of tooth is especially good for, such as biting an apple with incisors.
Common misconceptions to watch for
Children often assume every tooth does the same job, or that the sharp canines are for chewing. Use the picture to point out that chewing actually happens at the back, where the wide molars meet. Another common mix-up is confusing ‘canines’ with dogs; it helps to mention that the name comes from the slightly fang-like shape, which all of us have.
It is also worth clarifying that the worksheet shows an adult set of teeth. Younger children are still losing milk teeth, so the number and arrangement in their own mouths may look a little different. Reassure them this is completely normal.
Why looking after teeth matters
The Year 4 curriculum also asks children to think about keeping teeth healthy. Once the types of teeth are clear, you can extend the discussion to dental care: brushing twice a day, reducing sugary snacks and drinks, and visiting the dentist. Linking the grinding job of molars to the food that gets trapped in them gives a memorable reason for careful brushing.
This makes a natural follow-on conversation after the worksheet and connects classroom science to a useful everyday habit, without ever making the topic feel like a lecture.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three main types of teeth children learn at KS2?
At Key Stage 2 children usually learn three types: incisors (the flat front teeth for biting), canines (the pointier teeth for tearing) and molars (the wide back teeth for grinding). Premolars are sometimes introduced as a fourth type that also helps with grinding.
What is the job of each type of tooth?
Incisors bite and cut food, canines grip and tear it, and molars grind and crush it into small pieces ready to swallow. Each tooth's shape matches the job it does.
Is this worksheet suitable for Year 4 science?
Yes. It is written for children aged 8 to 9 and directly supports the Year 4 Animals, including humans objective to identify the different types of teeth and describe their simple functions.
How many teeth does a child have compared with an adult?
Children have 20 milk (baby) teeth, while a full adult set has 32 teeth, including the wisdom teeth. The worksheet shows an adult mouth, so a child's own teeth may look a little different as they are still developing.
Is the worksheet free to print?
Yes. The worksheet is completely free, prints onto a single sheet of A4 and can be used as many times as you like at home or in the classroom.
Curriculum links
- Year 4 Science, Animals including humans: identify the different types of teeth in humans and their simple functions.
- Year 4 Science, Animals including humans: describe the simple functions of the basic parts of the digestive system in humans.
- Working scientifically (Years 3 and 4): identifying differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes.
- Working scientifically (Years 3 and 4): gathering, recording, classifying and presenting data to help in answering questions.
Made by The Owee education team. Updated 02/06/2026. Free to print and share.
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