Are My Baby’s Teeth on Schedule?

Seeing your child’s very first tooth erupt can be both an exciting and challenging time for a parent! You are glad they are growing and reaching a big milestone, but teething can also make babies more fussy.

But how do you know if your child’s baby teeth are coming in on schedule? In this blog post, we explore the typical timeline for baby teeth.

What Are Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth are the very first set of teeth that erupt through the gums. Most children lose all of their baby teeth by the time they are around 11-12 years old. Although temporary, baby teeth play a very important role in your child’s overall health. These teeth serve as vital placeholders for adult teeth and help your child learn how to eat and communicate.

Approximate Timeline for Baby Teeth

Baby teeth don’t arrive on a strict schedule and every child is different. These are average ages for the arrival of baby teeth:

• Central incisors – the upper and lower front teeth will emerge between 5-12 months of age
• Upper lateral incisors – the teeth that flank both sides of the upper front teeth will come in between 8-13 months
• Lower lateral incisors – between 10-19 months
• Canines – the sharp-looking corner teeth will erupt between 16-23 months
• Premolars – the first molars in the back of the mouth will come in between 13-19 months
• Molars – the second set of molars will emerge between 23-33 months

Your child should have a full set of 20 baby teeth when they’re between 2 to 3 1/2 years old.

How to Care for Baby Teeth

As soon as your child’s first tooth erupts, it’s time to take them to the dentist for a checkup! Help you child develop good oral care habits from day one. Brush their teeth twice a day, and begin flossing once they have two teeth touching.

New Patients Welcome at Tots to Teens

Parenting is a tough job but when it comes to keeping track of your child’s dental health, you’re not alone! Our friendly, experienced team at Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics welcomes new patients and wants to help your child have superb oral health. We offer affordable pediatric dental care and a wide range of services to suit the needs of young patients. Contact us today to set up an appointment for your child!

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Categorised in: Kids Teeth