A child’s dental development involves two distinct sets of teeth, beginning before birth and continuing through adolescence. Understanding this progression and how to care for emerging teeth supports a child’s well-being.
Primary Teeth: The First Set
Children typically develop 20 primary teeth, also known as baby or deciduous teeth. These usually emerge around six months, often starting with the lower central incisors. Most children have their complete set of 10 upper and 10 lower primary teeth by age two-and-a-half to three.
Primary teeth do more than chew food; they aid speech development and maintain space for permanent teeth. They act as placeholders, guiding permanent teeth into position as they develop. Shedding typically begins around age six, often with lower central incisors, and concludes by age ten to twelve.
Permanent Teeth: The Adult Set
The transition to permanent teeth is gradual. Baby teeth roots dissolve as permanent teeth push upward, weakening them until they loosen and fall out. As permanent teeth emerge, they replace the primary set.
A full set of adult teeth typically consists of 32 teeth, including wisdom teeth: eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and twelve molars. Many individuals have 28 permanent teeth if wisdom teeth don’t develop or are removed. First permanent molars and central incisors usually erupt around six to seven, with most permanent teeth (excluding wisdom teeth) in place by age twelve or thirteen. Wisdom teeth emerge later, between seventeen and twenty-one.
Caring for Children’s Teeth
Establishing early oral hygiene practices supports a child’s dental health. Brushing should begin as soon as the first tooth appears, twice a day. For children under three, use a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste; for those three and older, use a pea-sized amount. Parents should supervise brushing until a child is around seven or eight to ensure proper technique.
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and prevents decay, found in water and toothpaste. Dental professionals may also apply fluoride varnish. Regular dental check-ups are important; the first visit is recommended by a child’s first birthday or when their first tooth erupts, followed by visits twice a year. These appointments allow dentists to monitor development, offer preventive care, and guide diet, like limiting sugary foods.