How many adult teeth are you supposed to have?

According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, humans have 32 permanent, or adult, teeth. The initial set of teeth in humans is called the primary or deciduous set and is made up of 20 teeth.

Primary teeth are generally whiter and less sturdy, with smaller roots and a smaller overall size. The trait of having two successive sets of teeth in a lifetime is shared between humans and most other mammals. The Encyclopaedia Britannica states that people start shedding their primary teeth at around five or six years of age, with the process mostly completed at around age 13. The 32 permanent teeth in a healthy adult's mouth include two canines, four incisors, six molars and four premolars.