What Parents Should Know About Permanent Tooth Eruption

The arrival of your child’s first permanent tooth is certainly cause for excitement.

It’s a sign that your child is growing up. But after the fun and excitement of getting his first few permanent teeth, parents like you can do a few things that will ensure your child preserves their permanent teeth for a long time, or hopefully, for a lifetime.

Understanding a few basics about teeth

Your child’s first set of teeth, commonly called baby teeth, will grow out usually around sixth months old.

This first set of teeth are important for a few reasons. For one, baby teeth play a few crucial roles in speech development and in chewing. Baby teeth also serve as place holders for permanent teeth which erupt once the baby teeth fall out. Usually, baby teeth emerge every six months, with the lower teeth emerging first. Baby teeth often emerge in pairs in both jaws. Often, girls tend to get their first teeth earlier than boys do.

At around two to three years old, your child should have a full set of baby teeth or 20 teeth.

Adults have 32 teeth which replace baby teeth. Compared to primary teeth, permanent teeth are larger and not as white in color. In an ideal scenario, the permanent teeth should last you for a lifetime and should emerge in the right place and angle as they replace baby teeth.

However, in reality, permanent teeth erupt in places where they should not. This often arises due to accidents, diseases or early removal. These can result in a few problems later on. It is important to establish a pediatric dentist in the first year so that your child becomes familiar with a fun, dental office like ours. More importantly, we want our little patients to have a sense of pride in caring for their teeth.

When will your child’s permanent teeth erupt?

Permanent tooth eruption usually occurs around the age of six or seven. The first ones to emerge are what are called six-year molars. Unlike most permanent teeth, six-year molars do not replace baby teeth.

Parents sometimes mistake these as baby teeth. This is why it is crucial for parents to know that these are permanent and need to be taken care of. Also, these molars play a role in shaping your child’s face, as well as impact the other teeth that will emerge.

Once your child reaches the age of 13, he will have 28 out of 32 permanent teeth. By the time your child is 21 years old, he should already have a full set of permanent teeth. The last of these to erupt are what are called wisdom teeth or third molars.

To learn more about your child’s oral health or schedule a visit, please contact us here.

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