Your Child’s Teeth Development Timetable

Baby teeth don’t just make a child’s smile cute and friendly, they’re an important part of a child’s overall health, and can even affect the health and hygiene habits of adolescence and adulthood. Knowing how and when baby teeth come in and how to properly monitor and care for them is vital to maintaining good health, and keeping our dentists at Hines Little Smiles involved in oral development can minimize problems and help facilitate good hygiene.

When Do Baby Teeth Come In?

On average, a child’s first teeth will start to arrive around the age of six months, though they can come sooner or several months later, depending on the child. The bottom front teeth (central incisors) usually show first, with their counterparts on top showing a month or two later. Usually the lateral incisors come next at around 10-12 months, first on the bottom and then on the top. The first molars erupt next around 12-16 months, followed by the canines inside the molars. The second molars usually appear last, and the full set of baby teeth should be in place between the child’s second and third birthdays. It’s important to keep in mind that these are average times and tooth orders. Every child is different, and it’s important to bring toddlers to their dentists at Hines Little Smiles regularly to make sure that however their teeth come in, there are no dental problems that could develop into something serious later.

Why Is Proper Care Of Baby Teeth Important?

Baby teeth are only temporary, falling out to be replaced by permanent teeth between the ages of 6 and 12 years. Nevertheless, proper care and hygiene is extremely important even for baby teeth. Proper oral hygiene habits should be developed as early as possible in a child’s life, so that when the permanent teeth do come in the child is prepared to care for them so they can last their whole life. If baby teeth are damaged by tooth decay or gum disease that can damage the permanent teeth developing underneath them. Additionally, the gums and bones of the jaw develop and grow based on the baby teeth, so out of place or damaged baby teeth affect the health and placement of adult teeth. Finally, problems with the baby teeth can seriously harm a child’s eating habits and their ability to learn how to eat.

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Primary Teeth Development

Below you is a graph to show the average times that a tooth will come in and normally fall out. As always if you have questions or want to learn more please reach out to us!

Thumb-sucking and Pacifier

Upper Teeth	When should it emerge?	When should it fall out?
Central incisor	8 to 12 months	6 to 7 years
Lateral Incisor	9 to 13 months	7 to 8 years
First Molar	13 to 19 months	9 to 11 years
Canine (cuspid)	16 to 22 months	10 to 12 years
Second Molar	25 to 33 months	10 to 12 years
Lower Teeth
Central Incisor	6 to 10 months	6 to 7 years
Lateral Incisor	10 to 16 months	7 to 8 years
First Molar	14 to 18 months	9 to 11 years
Canine (cuspid)	17 to 23 months	9 to 12 years
Second Molar	23 to 31 months	10 to 12 years

Other facts regarding your child’s teeth eruption:

Girls primary teeth usually come in before boys.
Lower teeth are typically the first to erupt.
Primary teeth are whiter in color than permanent teeth.
At 2 to 3 years of age, all primary teeth should show.

Since baby teeth just fall out, why is it important to take care of them?

Baby teeth play a very important role in your child’s growth and development.
Reserve space and make room for permanent teeth.
Help the facial structure grow and give child its normal appearance.
Missing teeth make it difficult for a child to chew and accept non-baby food.

Baby teeth play an important role in your child’s growth and development. Bring your little one to see Dr. Hines by the time his first tooth comes in, and no later than his first birthday.