When To Expect The Eruption Of Your Child's Adult Teeth
If you are the parent of a young child, your little one's baby teeth may have just started to come in. The baby teeth, which are also called the "primary teeth," typically start to present when a child is around six months of age. These primary teeth continue to appear through the preschool years.
These baby teeth are not designed to remain in the mouth forever. They eventually fall out and are replaced by the adult teeth
Here is a bit of information to help you better understand when to expect the presentation of your child's adult teeth.
Timing of the First Adult Teeth
The adult teeth usually appear in the same order as the baby teeth. Thus, the front teeth of the top and bottom palates are typically the first adult teeth to present. They often appear around the age of six or seven.
To make room for the adult teeth, the primary teeth are lost in the order in which they erupted. Thus, the front teeth of the top and bottom jaws are also the first baby teeth to fall out. They are lost when a child reaches the age of about five or six. Still, the age range is only an estimate. Children may lose their first teeth a little earlier or a little later.
The Order of Presentation
The front top and bottom teeth are called central incisors. Once they have been replaced by the adult teeth, you can expect the shedding and replacement of the child's other baby teeth to occur in order, from the front of the mouth to the back. Thus, the shedding process starts with the central incisors then moves to the lateral incisors. Next, the canine teeth are lost, and finally, the molars.
Timing of the Last Adult Teeth
The final adult teeth to present in the mouth are the wisdom teeth, which are also known as the third molars. They normally make their appearance during the late teen years or early adulthood.
Why the Care of Your Child's Teeth Is Important
The proper care of the baby teeth is important to allow the teeth to remain in place until the proper time of shedding. Baby teeth that are lost too early can no longer serve as placeholders to guide the presentation of the adult teeth in a straight configuration. Since adult teeth have no replacements, parents should help their children care for their teeth properly and establish good oral hygiene practices.
To have your child's teeth assessed by a dentist, schedule a consultation with a dental professional in your local area.