Pediatric Dentistry Patient Education

When do my child’s teeth arrive?
The first baby teeth are typically the lower front teeth, usually starting between the age of 6-8 months. However, this varies from baby to baby.

A child’s teeth are forming even before birth, As early as 4 months, the first teeth to erupt through the gums will be the lower front teeth, followed closely by the upper front teeth. Although all 20 baby teeth usually appear by age 3, their pace and order varies.

Permanent teeth begin appearing around age 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues until approximately age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth, or up to 32 including wisdom teeth.

How do I know if my children's teeth are coming in at the right time?
Teeth erupt into the mouth normally over a period of time from infancy into the child’s teenage years. Primary teeth, sometimes called baby teeth or deciduous teeth appear as early as 6 months and the first permanent tooth erupts at about 6 years of age. Dr. Orbon, Dr. Maddox and Dr. Wagner feel that it is important to begin dental visits about the time your child’s first tooth erupts. New parents have many questions about their children’s dental health. The doctors will check your child’s eruption patterns at every visit and answer your questions along the way. Your child should be scheduled for dental check-ups twice a year thereafter. Here are tables created by the American Dental Association describing the normal schedule of tooth eruption as well as a link to a video showing how teeth erupt. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Dr. Orbon, Dr. Maddox or Dr. Wagner to discuss your concerns.

Normal Tooth Eruption Schedule
	Primary Eruption: View chart
	Permanent Tooth Eruption: View chart

What should I do if my my child looses a tooth due to injury?
If it is a permanent tooth, rinse it in clean cool water to remove any debris. Please do not use soap or scrub the tooth. If possible, replace the tooth in the socket. Ask the child to bite on a folded napkin or towel to hold it in place. Call Affiliated Dental Specialists. If it is after hours, leave a message with our answering service. They will contact the doctor who will return your call. Acting quickly will improve your chances of saving the tooth. If you are unable to replace the tooth, place the tooth in a container and fill the container with milk until it covers the tooth completely. Call Affiliated Dental Specialists. If it is after hours, contact the dentist on call. Acting quickly will improve your chances of saving the tooth.