The Eruption of Primary Teeth

The eruption of primary teeth (also known as deciduous or baby teeth) follows a similar developmental timeline for most children. A full set of primary teeth begins to grow beneath the gums during the fourth month of pregnancy. For this reason, a nourishing prenatal diet is essential for the infant’s teeth, gums, and bones.

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Generally, the first primary tooth breaks through the gums between the ages of six months and one year. By around age three, most children have a complete set of twenty primary teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends scheduling a “well-baby” appointment with a pediatric dentist at six months of age. Pediatric dentists help guide parents and children on prevention strategies and stress the importance of a gentle, daily home care routine.

Although primary teeth are temporary, they play an important role in speech development, jaw growth, chewing habits, and proper spacing for adult teeth. Caring for primary teeth helps protect against tooth decay, premature loss, malnutrition, and childhood gum disease.

In What Order Do Primary Teeth Emerge?

  • Central incisors (front teeth) – lower and upper jaws: 6–12 months. These are also the first to fall out, usually between 6–7 years.
  • Lateral incisors (next to the central incisors) – upper and lower jaws: 9–16 months. Typically lost between 7–8 years.
  • First molars (large, flat teeth in the back) – upper and lower jaws: 13–19 months. Often cause discomfort during eruption. Usually lost between 9–11 years.
  • Canine (cuspid) teeth – upper and lower jaws: 16–23 months. Usually fall out between 10–12 years.
  • Second molars – upper and lower jaws: 23–33 months. Located at the very back, these are lost between 10–12 years.

What Else Is Known About Primary Teeth?

Though every child is unique, baby girls often experience tooth eruption earlier than boys. In both sexes, lower teeth usually appear before the corresponding upper teeth.

Teeth usually erupt in pairs, meaning there may be periods of no new teeth followed by multiple eruptions at once. Because of smaller jaw size, primary teeth are smaller, whiter, and give way to a mixed set of baby and permanent teeth during the school years.

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s primary teeth, please contact our office.