When To Expect Permanent Teeth To Start Coming In

There are not many things cuter than a child missing their two front teeth.  Losing your first tooth is a big milestone that can be exciting for both parents and children.  When it comes to permanent teeth coming in, you may not know what to expect.  Permanent teeth last us the rest of our lives, so it is important we take good care of them.  Here are all the things you need to know during this exciting phase of your child’s life!

How many teeth do we have?

Our primary teeth or “baby teeth” begin coming in at around six months of age, and continue to come in until somewhere between age two to three.  We are born with 20 of these primary teeth, that are later replaced by permanent teeth as we get older.  Adults have 32 teeth.  

Although we lose our baby teeth they are still important.  They help our kids chew their food, but they are also actually place holders for our larger, permanent teeth until they are ready to come in.  Soon enough those baby teeth will be replaced by 32 permanent teeth, 16 on top and 16 on the bottom.

When should I expect permanent teeth to start coming in?

It is a little bit different for everybody, but most children start losing their baby teeth around ages five to six.  Most permanent teeth should be grown in by ages twelve to thirteen.  Permanent teeth tend to come in a similar order that baby teeth grow in.  Watch first for the front top, front bottom, and then backwards towards the molars.  

The very last teeth to arrive, if they do come in are the wisdom teeth.  They can also be called third molars and appear around the ages 17-21.  Your dentist will help you to identify them and give you a recommendation on whether or not they should be removed.  

Taking Care of Permanent Teeth

Once your child’s permanent teeth finally arrive, good dental care is more important than ever.  These are the teeth they will have for life, so you want to treat them the best you can.  One great way to make sure your teeth are always healthy and strong is to visit the dentist regularly.  Dr. Kurt can always answer your questions about your child’s oral health or permanent teeth coming in.  Come see us at Wasatch Pediatric Dentistry for a check up! 

Schedule your dentist appointment in Logan, Utah now with Wasatch Pediatric Dentistry!