What Is A Pediatric Dentist?
A pediatric dentist has an extra two years of specialized training after dental school, and is dedicated to the oral health of children and adults with special needs from infancy through the teenage years. The very young, pre-teens, and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with their behavior, guiding their dental growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems. A pediatric dentist is best qualified to meet these needs.
Why Are The Primary Teeth So Important?
It is very important to maintain the health of the primary teeth. The primary teeth help to maintain space for the adult teeth and help with talking and eating. They also help to permit normal development of the jaw bones and muscles. Neglected cavities can and frequently do lead to problems which affect developing permanent teeth. They can also cause unnecessary pain, and have the potential of causing a life-threatening infection (abscess). The front 4 teeth generally exfoliate (fall out) around age 6 or 7, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) exfoliate between the ages of 10 and 13.
Eruption Of Your Child's Teeth
Children's teeth begin forming before birth. The first primary (or baby) teeth erupt as early as 4 months of age, and as late as 11 or 12 months of age. The first teeth to erupt are generally the lower central incisors, followed by the upper central incisors. Although all 20 primary teeth usually appear around age 3, the pace and order of their eruption varies. Permanent teeth begin appearing around age 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues until approximately age 21 when the wisdom teeth erupt
Eruption Sequence and Timing
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Age: 6-10 months
Primary lower central incisors erupt.
Age: 8-12 months
Primary upper central incisors erupt.
Age: 9-16 months
Primary upper & lower lateral incisors erupt.
Age: 13-19 months
First molars erupt. The upper molars generally erupt before the lower molars. Average age of shed: 9-11 years.
Age: 16-23 months
Canines erupt. The upper canines generally erupt before the lower canines. Average age of shed: 9-12 years.
Age: 23-33 months
Second molars erupt. Generally the lower molars erupt first, followed by the upper molars. Average age of shed: 10-12 years.
Age: 6-7 years
The primary upper and lower central incisors are shed, and the permanent upper and lower first molars and lower central incisors erupt.
Age: 7-8 years
The primary upper and lower lateral incisors are shed, and the permanent upper central incisors and lower lateral incisors erupt.
Age: 8-9 years
The permanent upper lateral incisors erupt and the primary upper first molars are shed.
Age: 9-10 years
The primary upper and lower canines and the lower first molars are shed, and the permanent lower canines erupt.
Age: 10-12 years
The primary upper and lower 2nd molars are shed, and the permanent upper canines erupt, as well as upper and lower first and second premolars.
Age: 11-13 years
The permanent upper and lower 2nd molars erupt.
Age: 17-21 years
The upper and lower 3rd molars (or wisdom teeth) erupt.