Dental Anatomy of Cows
A calf possesses a total of 20 teeth, which consist of 8 incisor teeth and 12 premolars. The bottom incisors are the first teeth to emerge in a cow. As cows age, they gradually replace their temporary teeth with permanent ones, typically doing so one at a time. Notably, the development of permanent teeth generally begins when a cow reaches the age of two years.
The middle lower incisors are the first permanent teeth to appear, commonly referred to as the “nippers.” These are followed by the first intermediate incisors located on either side of the central incisors, which typically emerge around the age of three. The second intermediate incisors, forming the third pair of teeth, come in at four years of age. By the time a cow turns five, it usually has the majority of its permanent teeth.
Upon reaching maturity, a cow has a total of 32 permanent teeth, composed of 8 incisors, 12 premolars, and 12 molars. It’s essential to note that incisors are present solely in the lower jaw of the cow; the upper jaw lacks these teeth. In contrast, the premolars and molars are located towards the rear of the mouth.
Functions of Cow Teeth
Each type of tooth in a cow’s mouth serves a unique function. Below is an overview of the specific roles of each part of a cow’s dentition:
Incisors
The incisors are located exclusively in the cow’s lower jaw and play a crucial role in grasping grass and plants to draw them into the mouth. They serve the primary function of cutting food, aided by the cow’s upper lip and agile tongue. Once the cow pulls food into its mouth, it begins breaking it down immediately.
Premolars
Premolars are the strongest teeth in a cow’s mouth, even more powerful than incisors. They exhibit tall crowns that extend from the cow’s tongue to its cheeks, making them appear mountainous from a side view. These teeth are vital for grinding tough feed material, working in conjunction with the molars.
Molars
Molars represent the most robust part of a cow’s dentition, playing a primary role in grinding the majority of the cow’s diet. Like the premolars, molars also feature elevated crowns that assist the cow in chewing fibrous plants, as cows often shift food from side to side during the chewing process.
Additional Information on Cow Teeth
Here are some interesting facts regarding cow teeth:
- Cattle breeders often examine the lower front incisors of a cow to determine its age based on the type, number, overall appearance, and wear of the teeth.
- Cows are unable to bite due to the absence of upper front teeth.
- Molars are present in both the upper and lower jaws, while incisors are found only in the lower jaw.
- As cows age, their teeth begin to wear down, resulting in the loss of sharpness at the tips.
- Cows possess a tough dental pad on their upper lip, which acts as a substitute for upper front teeth.
Facts About Cows
Here are several notable facts about cows:
- Different breeds of cows are raised for their meat, milk, and various dairy products.
- There are over 920 breeds of cattle found worldwide.
- A male cow is referred to as a bull, while a young cow is called a calf.
- Cows spend approximately 6 hours a day eating and about 8 hours chewing cud.
- They drink significant amounts of water daily.
- Cows were domesticated for the first time over 5,000 years ago.
- The lifespan of a cow can reach up to 25 years.