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The
first baby teeth to come into the mouth are the two bottom
front teeth at the age of about 6 to 8 months. They
are followed by the 4 upper front teeth.
The
rest of the milk teeth keep on appearing until the child is
about 30 months old. By this time all the 20 milk teeth have
usually erupted
Please
do not worry if some teeth are a few months early or late.
Every child is different and do not compare the child to the
other siblings in the school or family.
When hard teeth begin protruding into this soft, sensitive
mouth, it is a major event in the life of a child.
It can
be very painful. When the child starts teething, they often
develop tender gums. This causes the child to become
irritable and cranky.
Gently
rubbing your baby's gums with a clean finger or wet gauze
can usually soothe this pain. You can also give the baby a
clean teething ring to chew on.
Even
though baby teeth will eventually be lost, they are just as
important as the adult teeth.
They
not only hold the space for incoming permanent teeth, but
are also important for biting and chewing food, speech, and
physical appearance.
Early
tooth loss due to dental decay can have a serious impact on
your child’s self-esteem and self-confidence in their
appearance. For this reason, it is important to teach your
child from an early age, the importance of eating a healthy
diet, and practicing daily oral hygiene to maintain healthy
teeth and gums for a lifetime of smiles.
Around 6 years of age, the first
permanent teeth erupt. Usually the first tooth to erupt is
the lower molar. It does not replace any of the milk teeth,
but comes immediately behind them. From 6 to 12 years the
rest of the milk teeth are shed and the permanent teeth
replace these teeth. If
a permanent tooth becomes visible before the primary tooth
above it has fallen out, generally the primary tooth should
be extracted.
You
should start cleaning the child’s mouth even before the
first tooth appears; use a soft, clean cloth to wipe your
baby's gums and cheeks after feeding.
As soon as the first tooth appears,
start
using a small, soft bristled tooth brush to clean the teeth.
The following tables outline the normal ranges for teeth to
erupt and to shed:
Eruption of Primary or Deciduous Teeth
|
|
Upper |
Lower |
|
Central incisors |
6-8 months |
5-7 months |
|
Lateral incisors |
8-11 months |
7-10 months |
|
Cuspids (canines) |
16-20 months |
16-20 months |
|
First molars |
10-16 months |
10-16 months |
|
Second molars |
20-30 months |
20-30 months |
Eruption of Permanent Teeth
|
|
Upper |
Lower |
|
Central incisors |
7-8 years |
6-7 years |
|
Lateral incisors |
8-9 years |
7-8 years |
|
Cuspids (canines) |
11-12 years |
9-11 years |
|
First premolars (bicuspids)
|
10-11 years |
10-12-years |
|
Second premolars (bicuspids) |
10-12 years |
11-13 years |
|
First molars |
6-7 years |
6-7 years |
|
Second molars |
12-13 years |
12-13 years |
|
Third molars (wisdom teeth) |
17-22 years |
17-22 years |
|
