At What Age Do Teeth Come In?
Many parents ask themselves at what age teeth come in. The truth is that the eruption of teeth has its own rhythm and order. That is, it varies from one person to another. However, there are approximate ages to estimate when this will happen, which reflect what happens to most children.
Being attentive to these important events in your child’s mouth is very beneficial to ensure their health. By knowing what you’re up against in advance, you can take care of new teeth much better.
The eruption of baby teeth
Baby teeth begin to erupt between 6 and 8 months of the baby. In some cases, it can start sooner or later because, as we’ve already said, this depends on the growth rate of each child.
In general, the first teeth to appear are the lower central incisors and then the upper and lateral incisors of both arches.
Once the little ones have these 8 pieces in their mouths, there’s usually a rest period of 4 to 6 months. At the end of this period, the molars and canines begin the eruption phase.
Approximately, this phenomenon occurs around 12 to 18 months of age and the first to emerge is the first molar (upper and lower). The second molar of both arches usually appears around 2 years, and the canines erupt between 15 and 24 months.
In general, most infants have their 20 baby teeth by their third birthday.
At what age do permanent molars come out?
Baby teeth remain in the child’s mouth until the age of 5 or 6. At this time, the stage of dental replacement begins and they‘re replaced by their permanent substitutes.
The order of the replacement usually maintains the same pattern as the appearance of baby teeth: It begins with the incisors and continues with the rest of the pieces. In this way, the baby molars fall out at around 10 to 12 years of age and are replaced by the first and second definitive premolars.
But the eruption of the permanent molars doesn’t require the fall of the transitory ones, as they’re located behind the last baby teeth. This occurs around 6 years (for the first molar) and 12 years (for the second).
The last teeth to appear are wisdom teeth. Their eruption occurs between 18 and 21 years of age, although, in many people, it never appears.
The importance of the first permanent molar
The first permanent molar is one of the most important dental elements of the mouth, as its correct development favors adequate occlusion. When the upper teeth are properly related to the lower teeth, the mouth can perform its functions properly.
Many times, the eruption of this tooth usually goes unnoticed, as, in general, there’s no discomfort as it happens in babies. And by not requiring the fall of any teeth to come out, it appears silently.
Due to this and its location at the bottom of the dental arch, the first molar doesn’t receive the attention it deserves, and it’s quite common for its hygiene to be inadequate. Consequently, cavities appear very often, and this favors the early deterioration of a dental piece that will accompany the child for life.
Caring for your baby’s teeth
The molars are the teeth responsible for crushing, grinding, and chewing food. For this reason, they have a large size and an uneven surface, with cracks, points, and wrinkles.
The anatomical characteristics of the teeth and their location make their hygiene much more difficult than with the rest of the teeth. Consequently, bacterial plaque accumulates, predisposing them to tooth decay.
Tooth brushing is a very effective way to prevent this oral health problem. It should be done from the appearance of the first dental elements, with a soft bristle brush and fluoridated toothpaste in the appropriate quantities. In addition, it must be supplemented with dental floss, at least once a day.
Adults should brush their children until they can do it well themselves, which occurs around 6 to 8 years. Then they should continue to supervise this work.
Taking care of the diet is also a very important point for the child’s oral health. Limiting the consumption of sugar and ultra-processed foods has a positive impact on the oral cavity.
Finally, visits to the pediatric dentist are just as important and should begin in the first year of life. During them, the professional advises parents on the care of the child’s mouth, according to their age and their particular needs. Plus, they can catch any problems early and treat them before they get complicated.
To care for permanent molars, the dentist may use pit and fissure sealants or topical fluoride treatments. All these are preventive measures, which improve the natural characteristics of these elements and reduce the risk of cavities.
It’s important to keep an eye on the age at which the teeth come in
Knowing the estimated time of appearance of these pieces allows families to prepare to offer the appropriate care. Having healthy teeth helps children’s mouths develop smoothly.
With a responsible accompaniment, you’ll ensure that your little ones have a beautiful and healthy smile.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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