| Primary Teeth | Age of Eruption in Months |
| 1. Central Incisor | 8 – 12 upper
6 – 10 lower |
| 2. Lateral Incisor | 9 – 13 upper
10 – 16 lower |
| 3. Cuspid (canine) | 16 – 22 upper
17 – 23 lower |
| 4. First Molar | 13 – 19 upper
14 – 18 lower |
| 5. Second Molar | 25 – 33 upper
23 – 31 lower |
| Permanent Teeth | Age of Eruption in Years |
| Central Incisor | 7 – 8 upper
6 – 7 lower |
| Lateral Incisor | 8 – 9 upper
7 – 8 lower |
| Cuspid (canine) | 11 – 12 upper
9 – 10 lower |
| First Bicuspid | 10 – 11 upper
10 – 12 lower |
| Second Bicuspid | 10 – 12 upper
11 – 12 lower |
| First Molar | 6 – 7 both |
| Second Molar | 12 – 13 upper
11 – 13 lower |
| Third Molar (wisdom tooth) | 17 – 21 both |
Link to the image
Image source: Persian Poet Gal at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
Teeth development is also something parents focus on. They will frequently ask when will my baby’s teeth “come in”? Teeth development and eruption varies from child to child which is the most important message to give to parents. At birth infant’s usually have 20 primary teeth, which start to come in at about 6 months of age and are all in place by 3 years. By age 21, all 32 permanent teeth should have erupted.
Children need fluoride to make tooth enamel more resistant to decay and to help repair weakened enamel. If children drink bottled water or unfluoridated tap water, they may miss the benefits. Fluoride supplements are available for families who live in an area where their water is not fluoridated. Topical fluoride applications are common in the primary care office.
From The First Tooth. (2014, November 24). Fluoride Varnish Application at a Well Child Visit [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2QRwoWAIpQ
The first dental visit should be scheduled after the first tooth appears and before their first birthday. During that first visit the dentist usually examines the infant’s mouth to check for injuries, cavities and other problems, discuss risk factors for developing tooth decay, how to clean the infant’s teeth, pacifier use, and thumb sucking habits.
Cleaning Your Child’s Teeth
Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth during the first few days after birth by wiping the gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or washcloth. As soon as teeth appear, decay can occur. A baby’s front four teeth usually push through the gums at about 6 months of age, although some children don’t have their first tooth until 12 or 14 months. Until you’re comfortable that your child can brush on his or her own, continue to brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a child-size toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. When your child has two teeth that touch, you should begin cleaning between their teeth daily. For children younger than 3 years, caregivers should begin brushing children’s teeth as soon as they begin to come into the mouth by using fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice. Brush teeth thoroughly twice per day (morning and night) or as directed by a dentist or physician. Supervise children’s brushing to ensure that they use the appropriate amount of toothpaste. For children 3 to 6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brush teeth thoroughly twice per day (morning and night) or as directed by a dentist or physician. Supervise children’s brushing and remind them not to swallow the toothpaste.
Pink, A. (2016, February 3). How Much Toothpaste To Use On My Child’s Teeth – Pediatric Dentist, Portland, OR [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=o3YjL3L1_Nc
