During our lifetime, we have two sets of teeth. The primary (baby) teeth begin to erupt (come into the mouth) at about 3-8 months of age and all twenty (20) primary teeth are in place by age 3.
Primary teeth are very important! They allow the growing child to eat, speak and smile. They serve to guide the permanent teeth into their positions. Keeping primary teeth healthy is a big step towards healthy straight adult teeth. Children should be seen for their first dental checkup at aobut 2 ½ years old.
The adult teeth (permanent) teeth begin to erupt when a child is 5 or 6 years old. Adults develop thirty-two (32) teeth.
We get:
4 upper and lower incisors teeth
2 upper and lower canines
4 upper and lower premolars teeth
6 upper and lower molars.
(The very last molar is called the wisdom tooth)
