Tooth Eruption
Here they come and there they go!
Baby teeth, or “Primary teeth” may be small, but they’re extremely important for your child’s oral health and development. This first set of teeth begin to develop beneath the gums during the second trimester of pregnancy, and teeth begin to emerge above the gums approximately four to six months after birth.
Typically, preschool aged children have a complete set of 20 baby teeth, including four molars on each arch. While the front four teeth last until 6-7 years of age, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) aren’t replaced until age 10-13.
Baby teeth play a very important role in a child’s development which is why it is crucial to maintain healthy primary teeth. Proper speech development, nurturing a healthy diet, instilling self-confidence, holding space for permanent teeth to erupt to create a straighter smile, and maintaining excellent oral health are 5 of the main benefits of maintaining healthy primary teeth.
Eruption of Baby (Primary or Deciduous) Teeth
|
Upper |
Lower |
Central incisors Lateral incisors Cuspids (canines) First molars Second molars |
6-8 months 8-11 months 16-20 months 10-16 months 20-30 months |
5-7 months 7-10 months 16-20 months 10-16 months 20-30 months |
Shedding of Baby (Primary or Deciduous) Teeth
|
Upper |
Lower |
Central incisors Lateral incisors Cuspids (canines) First molars Second molars |
7-8 years 8-9 years 11-12 years 10-11 years 10-12 years |
6-7 years 7-8 years 9-11 years 10-12 years 11-13 years |
Eruption of Adult (Permanent) Teeth
|
Upper |
Lower |
Central incisors Lateral incisors Cuspids (canines) First Premolars (bicuspids) Second Premolars (bicuspids) First Molars Second Molars Third Molars (wisdom teeth) |
7-8 years 8-9 years 11-12 years 10-11 years 10-12 years 6-7 years 12-13 years 17-22 years |
6-7 years 7-8 years 9-11 years 10-12 years 11-13 years 6-7 years 12-13 years 17-22 years |
**Adapted from chart prepared by PK Losch, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, from Nelson’s Textbook of Pediatrics.**