---
title: "What Is Canine (cuspid)? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Canines, also called cuspids, are the pointed teeth next to your incisors. They tear into foods such as meat and crunchy vegetables."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/canine-cuspid
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Anatomy

# Canine (cuspid)

Canines, also called cuspids, are the pointed teeth next to your incisors. They tear into foods such as meat and crunchy vegetables.

You have four canines, one at each corner of the mouth, next to the [incisors](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/incisor). They have one pointed tip. The name comes from their resemblance to a dog's fangs. Canines are used to tear foods such as meat and crisp vegetables.

People sometimes call canines eye teeth because of their position directly under your eyes. Like every tooth, a canine can chip, crack or decay, so it needs the same daily brushing and cleaning between teeth.

If a tooth does not come in where it should, it may be an [impacted tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/impacted-tooth). A dentist can check it with an x-ray. See also [premolars](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/premolar-bicuspid).

## Related terms

-   [Incisor](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/incisor)
-   [Premolar (bicuspid)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/premolar-bicuspid)
-   [Molar](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/molar)
-   [Impacted tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/impacted-tooth)
-   [Permanent teeth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/permanent-teeth)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: Teeth: Anatomy, Types, Function & Care](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24655-teeth)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)