Tooth Eruption

The first baby teeth to come into the mouth are the two lower central incisors, at six to eight months old. Next to follow will be the two upper central incisors or the two lower lateral incisors. The remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw, however, the time and order of their eruption may vary. At around two and a half to three-years-old, your child should have all 20 teeth.

Between the ages of five and six, the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth, however, for the first set of permanent molars your child will not lose any teeth. These molars will erupt behind all the baby molars on each side the mouth. Don’t worry if some teeth are a few months early or late, as all children experience this differently.

Baby teeth are important because they hold space for permanent teeth and are essential for chewing, biting, speaking, and appearance. For this reason, it is necessary to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.