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The teeth for each child differ from shape, size as well as their location. Normally, there are 20 primary teeth at birth as per the American Dental Association (ADA). These baby teeth begin to erupt during the first 6 months since birth. The shedding of these primary teeth (which is also known as deciduous teeth) varies at different times during childhood. Permanent teeth, on the other hand, usually begin to erupt starting at the age of 6. This article will help you learn and explain to you thoroughly when the primary teeth erupt and fall out as well as what age the permanent teeth start to erupt.
Timeline for Primary Teeth Growth: When They Erupt and Fall Out
- The first 6 months of age of an infant is the usual time period of the first primary tooth eruption. A total of 6 teeth (4 teeth at the top and 2 teeth at the bottom) normally grows when a baby turns a year old. This set of teeth is primarily for only biting into food. When an infant reaches 2 years old, molars (which are meant for chewing food) erupt, helping the baby to eat the food more properly.
- At the age of 3, about 20 primary teeth may have already erupted in pairs, making a complete set of 10 teeth each at the top and bottom of the baby’s mouth. These teeth remain until the baby reaches 7 or 8.
- By the age of 6, the primary teeth will start to fall out (shed) and permanent molars will start to erupt. The permanent teeth will begin to erupt in the front when the child reaches 8 years old. The remaining adult teeth will start to erupt when they are 13. By the time they reach the age of 21, all adult teeth should have already erupted and developed.
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Children Teeth Eruption Table
The chart below displays the time period when baby teeth generally come in and shed. Take note that this timetable is just a generic guide and that the tooth eruption time period for each child can be different.
| Upper Teeth | Erupt | Shed |
| Central incisor | 8-12 mos. | 6-7 yrs. |
| Lateral incisor | 9-13 mos. | 7-8 yrs. |
| Canine (cuspid) | 16-22 mos. | 10-12 yrs. |
| First molar | 13-19 mos. | 9-11 yrs. |
| Second molar | 25-33 mos. | 10-12 yrs. |
| Lower Teeth | Erupt | Shed |
| Second molar | 23-31 mos. | 10-12 yrs. |
| First molar | 14-18 mos. | 9-11 yrs. |
| Canine (cuspid) | 17-23 mos. | 9-12 yrs. |
| Lateral incisor | 10-16 mos. | 7-8 yrs. |
| Central incisor | 6-10 mos. | 6-7 yrs. |
Source: Pediatric Teeth Eruption Chart
As seen on the time table above, the first primary teeth start to come in during the first 6 months of the baby’s age. Generally, the first 2 teeth to come in are the 2 lower central incisors. The next teeth to erupt are the upper 4 incisors then the following teeth to erupt slowly come in pairs – about 10 on each side of both the upper and lower jaws. These baby teeth erupt until all 20 deciduous teeth are complete by the time the kid reaches 2-3 years of age to 6-7 years old.
Additional Teething Facts:
- Tooth eruptions generally come in pairs – one on each side (left and right).
- Usually, the teeth of females begin to erupt earlier than males.
- The sizes for baby teeth are commonly smaller and whiter compared to the permanent ones that will soon erupt.
- A common fact is that about 4 primary teeth will come in every 6 months since the birth of the child.
- Another general fact is that the bottom teeth normally come in first before the top teeth.
- Most of the deciduous teeth or all of them should have already emerged when the kid reaches 2 to 3 years old.
- By the time the child reaches 4 years of age, the development of his or her jaws will start and make enough areas between the baby teeth. This development is a natural process that creates the needed space for the permanent teeth to come in.
- A combination of baby teeth and adult teeth should have already erupted when the kid is between 6 and 12 years old.
Adult Teeth Order of Growth
The following timetable demonstrates when the permanent teeth (adult teeth) normally start to erupt. Similar to the chart for the teeth eruption of children above, this timetable is a common guide. The time period for the teething for each person may vary.
| Upper Teeth | Erupt |
| Central incisor | 7-8 yrs. |
| Lateral incisor | 8-9 yrs. |
| Canine (cuspid) | 11-12 yrs. |
| First premolar (first bicuspid) | 10-11 yrs. |
| Second premolar (second bicuspid) | 10-12 yrs. |
| First Molar | 6-7 yrs. |
| Second Molar | 12-13 yrs. |
| Third molar (wisdom tooth) | 17-21 yrs. |
| Lower Teeth | Erupt |
| Third molar (wisdom tooth) | 17-21 yrs. |
| Second Molar | 11-13 yrs. |
| First Molar | 6-7 yrs. |
| Second premolar (second bicuspid) | 11-12 yrs. |
| First premolar (first bicuspid) | 10-12 yrs. |
| Canine (cuspid) | 9-10 yrs. |
| Lateral incisor | 7-8 yrs. |
| Central incisor | 6-7 yrs. |
Source: Permanent Tooth Timeline Chart
The first permanent teeth to erupt vary for each kid. The first adult teeth to emerge in some young ones are the molars while the first permanent incisors are the first to erupt in some others. Normally, almost all of the 28 adult teeth will emerge when the child reaches 13 years old. When a kid reaches the age of 17 to 21, about 1 to 4 wisdom teeth (also called as third molars) will come in, making a total of 32 permanent teeth.
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