Gallatin Valley Pediatric Dentistry

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Teens

HOW TEETH CHANGE AS WE GO INTO THE EARLY TEEN YEARS

We see remarkable changes in the development of teeth during the younger years and teen years. The following information will give you further details along these lines.

The Development Of The Baby Teeth

Every child is different. However, the primary or baby teeth start to emerge between 6 and 12 months. Most of the baby teeth will erupt by 33 months or almost three years of age. Girls’ teeth tend to come in before boys’ teeth, as a general rule.

The Eruption Of The First Baby Tooth

When the first tooth appears, it usually is the front middle tooth on the bottom jaw. This tooth is called the central incisor. The second central incisor follows on the lower jaw. After these teeth appear, the four upper incisors erupt, followed by the first four molars and the bottom two lateral incisors. Lateral incisors are next to or lateral to the central incisors. The cuspids, or pointed teeth, then appear. By the time a child reaches the age of 2, their four-second primary molars have erupted, representing the last of the baby teeth. A total of 20 primary teeth appear. Spaces appear between the baby teeth so that the permanent teeth may erupt.

When The Permanent Teeth Appear

By the time a child reaches 12 years of age, four second permanent molars have grown in behind the first molars. Therefore, a 14-year-old will have 28 teeth or spaces for the teeth by that age. By the time they reach 16 years old, up until 22 years of age, the wisdom teeth will appear, giving them 32 permanent teeth in total. That is 16 teeth on the top and 16 teeth on the bottom. Once the wisdom teeth emerge, they should be removed, as they can cause crowding and infections. They really are unnecessary teeth and can cause a series of dental problems if they are not extracted.

What phase of development is your child experiencing dentally? We can answer all your questions about caring for primary and permanent teeth. Give us a call today to set up an exam and consultation.