Tooth development in children

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J. Denise Marr
  • 48th Dental Squadron
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  As a baby develops, one question parents frequently ask is when their baby's first tooth will come in.

Actually, the development of primary teeth, or baby teeth, begins in the womb.

At birth, 20 primary teeth are hidden within the gums and eruption, the tooth breaking through the gums, begins in the first couple months. This is also known as teething.

According to the American Dental Association, a baby's first tooth should begin to appear around 6 months after birth. However, this is an estimated time frame since no two individuals are the same, and everyone develops at different rates.

Throughout the developmental stage from infant to toddler, 20 primary teeth appear, 10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw. The first tooth to appear is likely to be an incisor, a lower front tooth. The next teeth to appear are usually the upper front teeth.

In most cases, the average child has their full set of 20 primary teeth by 3 years of age.

Beginning around age 6 through 13, a transition occurs between the primary teeth and the permanent teeth, or adult teeth. Most parents usually look at the front teeth to see their child's first permanent tooth, however this is misguided. Typically, the first permanent tooth to erupt is a molar behind the last primary tooth. These permanent teeth don't replace any primary teeth.

Between the ages of 6 and 7, the primary teeth begin to shed and usually the top and bottom incisors are the first to fall out.

Primary teeth loosen as permanent teeth develop and grow into the jaw by a process called resorption, or dissolve.

The permanent teeth dissolve the roots of the primary teeth and they become loose and easy to remove. However, a frequent question of parents is what to do if a child has a permanent tooth developing and the primary tooth has not loosened or fallen out yet.

This situation is most likely to occur with the front primary teeth, but can happen anywhere. An X-ray can determine if permanent teeth are dissolving the primary teeth properly and if the resorption process is working.

Parents should not worry and give it some time. It may be a matter of days or weeks until the primary tooth will fall out on its own. If 3 to 6 months pass, seek assistance from your local dentist.

For more information regarding oral health education, visit http://www.mouthhealthy.org/.