About Teeth

Throughout your life, you will have two sets of teeth: primary (baby) teeth and secondary (permanent) teeth. The primary teeth generally begin to erupt at around 6 months of age. This is just an average, as some babies are born with teeth while others do not have teeth until after their 1st birthday. All 20 baby teeth are usually in place by age 3.

Kids are usually very excited to discover their 1st loose tooth! The front baby teeth, or incisors, usually begin to loosen between ages 5 – 7. The permanent teeth will begin to grow in around age 6. Again, this is an average. We have seen some kids as young as age 4 and as old as 8 with their 1st permanent tooth. With the exception of the wisdom teeth, permanent teeth will continue to erupt until between ages 12 and 14. The total number of permanent teeth is 32, though few people have room for all 32 teeth. This is why wisdom teeth are usually removed.

Your front teeth are called incisors. The sharp "fang-like" teeth are called cuspids (or canines). The next side teeth are referred to as pre-molars or bicuspids, and the back teeth are molars. Primary (baby) teeth play a very important role in your child’s dental health and aid in the eruption of the permanent teeth. They also help children speak clearly and chew naturally. Your permanent teeth are the ones you keep for life. It is vital that both primary and permanent teeth are brushed and flossed regularly and that periodic check-ups by a dentist are followed.