Parents ask me this question often! So I thought it might be helpful to provide some information and a handy chart to which you can refer when an adult tooth seems to want to stay in hiding.
- Most people have two sets of teeth during their life: a set of primary or “baby” teeth and the permanent or “adult” teeth.
- Besides helping children chew and pronounce words, the primary teeth hold a place in the jaws for the permanent teeth, which begin to push through the gums as the primary teeth are shed.
- While most children have 20 primary teeth—10 in each of the upper and lower jaws—these teeth eventually are replaced by 32 permanent teeth, 16 in each jaw.
- The first permanent molars usually erupt between ages 6 and 7 years. For that reason, they often are called the “six-year molars.” They are among the “extra” permanent teeth in that they don’t replace an existing primary tooth. These important teeth sometimes are mistaken for primary 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 also help determine the shape of the lower face and affect the position and health of other permanent teeth.
- Most children have 28 of their permanent teeth by age 13 years. These include four central incisors, four lateral incisors, eight premolars, four canines and eight molars.
- The last of the permanent teeth to appear are called “third molars,” or “wisdom teeth.” They usually begin to erupt—pushing their way through the gums—between ages 17 and 21 years. Because they are so far back in the mouth, third molars often are not needed for chewing and are difficult to keep clean. Your dentist may recommend their removal to prevent potential complications when third molars are erupted partially or are impacted.
Heredity and other factors may influence the approximate ages at which children’s primary teeth shed and their permanent teeth emerge.
Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) from the smooth surfaces of teeth. But toothbrush bristles cannot reach into the pits and fissures (depressions and grooves) of the chewing surfaces to remove food and plaque.
Protect permanent teeth by brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance, cleaning between teeth once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner and scheduling regular dental visits.
After all this information, the answer to the question "When will my teeth erupt?" remains "I'm not sure!" My personal view is that there is a four year range for the expected eruption of any tooth. We use special x-rays at our office to determine the expected eruption of your teeth and to discover if teeth are missing or out of position. Feel free to ask me any questions regarding your particular eruption pattern.
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Content reproduced from Journal of the American Dental Association: 1-2006