About Teeth
The Growing Years: From Birth to SixBaby's First Teeth People usually think of a newborn baby as having no teeth. But the 20 primary teeth that will erupt during the first three years already are present at birth in the baby's jawbones. At birth, most of the crowns of the baby's teeth are almost complete, and the chewing surfaces of the permanent molars have begun forming. Primary teeth are important in normal development-for chewing, speaking, and appearance. In addition, the primary teeth hold the space in the jaws for the permanent teeth. Both primary and permanent teeth help give the face its shape and form. A baby's front four teeth usually erupt first, typically at about six months of age, although some children don't have their first tooth until 12 or 14 months. Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the time they are three years old. As your child grows, the jaws also grow, making room for the permanent teeth that will begin to erupt at about age six. We call these teeth the “6 year molars”. They will get another set of “12 year molars” at around age 12. At the same time, the roots of the primary teeth begin to be absorbed by the tissues around them, and the permanent teeth under them begin to erupt. Your child's 1st and 2nd primary molars will be replaced by the permanent bicuspids. Typically, children have the majority of their permanent teeth by 12 to 14 years of age. The remaining four permanent molars, often called “wisdom teeth, “erupt around age 21 to complete the set of 32 permanent teeth. The Transition Years: From Six to 12 As children develop, their jaws and faces continue to change. The transition from baby teeth to adult teeth is gradual. By the time they reach adulthood, most children will progress from their 20 primary teeth to 32 permanent (adult) teeth. All the while, the jaw gradually expands to make room for the additional 12 teeth. At about age 6, maybe earlier, children begin to lose their front teeth on top and bottom. During the next six or so years, permanent teeth gradually will replace the primary teeth. It is important to remember that there is a huge range of what is considered to be normal so your child may develop dentally on a different level than his or her friends. The first permanent molars usually erupt between ages five and six. For that reason, they are often called the six-year molars. They are among the “extra” permanent teeth in that they don't replace an existing baby tooth. These important adult teeth are often mistaken for baby teeth. However, they are permanent and must be cared for properly if they are to last throughout the child's lifetime. The six-year molars are especially important because they help determine the shape of the lower face. They also affect the position and health of other permanent teeth |