From the appearance of our baby’s first tooth to when their first tooth falls out and is placed under the pillow awaiting the tooth fairy, we eagerly accompany them on their teething journey until rewarded with their big-kid grin full of permanent teeth. But there are parts of the process that we need to understand like when and how children get their permanent teeth so that we can help them better care for their dental health and ease their transition through teething phases. From the first baby tooth to the last adult molar, we’ll let you know what to expect and how to deal with each stage of the process .

When do babies start teething?

Deciduous teeth also known as baby teeth, primary teeth, or milk teeth first start appearing around 6 months of age. The bottom central incisors are typically the first to arrive, followed by the top front teeth. Don’t worry if your baby doesn’t fit this profile. Some babies begin teething as early as 3 months. Others may not show a tooth until after their first birthday.

Signs of teething that parents should be on the look out for include babies drooling more, becoming fussy, chewing on everything in sight, or having disrupted sleep. These are all normal signs of teething and any discomfort or pain that your little one may be feeling can be soothed with gentle gum massages, teething toys, or cold washcloths applied to their gums.

When Do Molar Teeth Come In or Erupt?

Molars tend to show up later in the teething process. The first baby molars, the ones at the very back, usually come in between 13 to 19 months. This helps toddlers to chew and grind their food. The second molars follow between 20 to 30 months. Every child is different so don’t worry if they appear sooner or later.

These molar teeth, which are larger, erupt at the back of the mouth and can be more uncomfortable for babies due to their size. Keeping your child distracted with play, feeding them soft foods, and offering a cold teething ring can make the process easier.

When do all of the primary teeth erupt and fall out?

Usually all 20 primary teeth should be in by the time your kid turns 3. They should have 8 incisors (front teeth), 4 canines (pointed teeth) and 8 molars at the back. 10 teeth on top and 10 teeth below.

These baby teeth typically start falling out around age 6, beginning with the front incisors. Losing baby teeth and new erupting teeth continues until around age 12, when the last of the baby molars usually fall out to make room for permanent teeth.

When Do Children’s Permanent Teeth Come In?

It may surprise a lot of us to know that the first permanent teeth that start to come in around the age of 6 are not ones that replace any that dropped out. The first permanent teeth are usually the first permanent molars, which erupt behind the baby molars. After that, the first loose tooth that we usually see is one of the first incisors. It’s usually the first one under the pillow for the tooth fairy and the first we save as a keepsake.

By age 12 to 13, most children will have 28 of their 32 permanent teeth. The last four, known as wisdom teeth or third molars, generally erupt between 17 and 25 years of age. Some people may never get their wisdom teeth and many have to have them removed by a dentist. Impacted wisdom teeth which don’t emerge from the jawbone due to lack of space can cause problems of pain, inflammation, infection, or crowding and misalignment of other teeth. Partially erupted wisdom teeth can trap food and bacteria leading to infections or decay. Of a child’s permanent teeth, wisdom tooth problems are the most common.

Eruption Pattern of Adult Teeth

Adult teeth usually follow the general timeline of permanent tooth eruption from 6 to 7 years old when the first permanent molars appear followed by the dropping out of the baby incisors and the appearance of their permanent replacements. First appear the lower central incisors, then between 7 to 8 years old, the upper central and lateral incisors. The process continues between 9 to 12 years old with the canine teeth and premolars, followed by the second molars between 11 and 13 years old.

Wisdom teeth or third molars usually appear between 17 to 25 years but some people may never get them or may lack the full set of four.

Keep in mind that individual variation is normal. Some kids may lose and gain teeth earlier or later than average. See a dentist if you notice really unusual differences between your kid and others their age.

Molar Types: Primary vs. Permanent

Molars are our strong back teeth crucial for chewing and grinding food. We have both primary and permanent molars. They also help shape the jaw and maintain space for other teeth, so both sets are important in your child’s development. The primary molars appear on each side of the jaw as two baby molars (first and second molars). The first molars usually come in around 13 months and the second molars around 20 months. They fall out between the ages of 9 and 12.

Permanent Molars are different as they do not replace baby teeth. The first molars come in behind baby molars around age 6 and the second molars erupt around 12. Third molars or wisdom teeth may emerge in their late teens or early adulthood or not at all.

The health and alignment of these molars are important because of their help in chewing and grinding our food for better digestion. They can also affect overall bite alignment. Regular dental visits can catch any issues early, like impaction or crowding.

FAQs

If baby teeth fall out after a couple of years, why is caring for them important?

Although baby teeth are temporary, from that first primary tooth, they play a vital role in speech development, chewing and nutrition, jaw and facial growth, and holding space for adult teeth.

Neglecting baby teeth can lead to decay, infection, or even damage to the developing adult teeth beneath them. So brushing twice a day, limiting sugary snacks, and regular dental visits are essential from the time your kids are toddlers onwards.

When do all of the permanent teeth erupt?

Most children have their full set of 28 permanent teeth (excluding wisdom teeth) by age 12 or 13. The timeline may vary slightly, but the typical range is first molars and incisors between ages 6 and 8, premolars and canines: around ages 9 to 12, and second molars between ages 11 and 13.

Wisdom teeth usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25 but may come in impacted, partially erupted or not at all.

Keeping track of this progression helps ensure your child’s oral health and dental development stay on track.

Do Adults Lose Molars?

Adults don’t naturally lose molars unless there’s an issue like bad tooth decay, gum disease, dental trauma, or impacted wisdom teeth requiring removal. If adults practice good dental hygiene habits like proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits they can retain their molars for life.

Is Molar Eruption Painful?

Not necessarily but some kids may experience discomfort or pain. Signs of molar teething include sore or swollen gums, irritability, drooling, and refusal to eat, especially hard foods.

This phase can be more painful than incisor teething due to the molars’ size. Fortunately, the discomfort is temporary and can often be managed at home with an ice pack to the jaw, gargling with warm salted water, gentle pain relievers, and eating warm soups or soft foods.

How can I help my kids reduce pain during teething?

Some simple yet effective ways to ease your child’s teething discomfort are using chilled (not frozen) teething rings, giving them a cold washcloth to chew on, massaging their gums with clean fingers, giving them teething biscuits or soft foods, and if that’s not enough using over-the-counter pain relief (use only as directed and consult your pediatrician). Don’t underestimate the power of comforting and soothing them with kisses and cuddles either.

Do teething necklaces help?

Teething necklaces (especially amber or silicone varieties) are popular among some parents, but pediatricians and dentists do not recommend them. Risks include choking, strangulation, and ingestion of small parts. It’s better to stick to safer options like teething toys or cold, soft foods.

It’s never too early to teach correct brushing habits early or to limit sugary foods. It’s also important to monitor changes through regular dental visits starting from when they are 1 or before if their first tooth comes in early. You should also stay attentive to changes in your child’s mouth and comfort levels and address all issues early to prevent tooth decay or structural problems in the mouth.

From the appearance of the first baby tooth to the arrival of adult molars, your child’s dental development is an important childhood process and how you help them deal with their dental health will give them good dental habits for the rest of their lives