Kids Dental Development
When it comes to kids’ dental care, there are certain milestones that they should reach to ensure that their oral health remains in good condition as they age. Generally, it’s okay to have a little bit of a delay in losing and/or developing teeth, but too much of a delay could signal red flags for their adult teeth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a study reported in the Journal of PLos Genetics found that children with delayed tooth eruption had a 35% higher chance of developing orthodontic issues later in life.
What dental milestones should my child be reaching and when?
Parents and guardians should expect to see the following kids’ dental milestones:
Emerging Baby Teeth:
8 months-12 months: The first tooth emerges—central incisors (two “front teeth”)
9-16 months: Lateral incisors emerge (the two teeth that sit next to the front teeth)
13-19 months: First molar (molar closest to front teeth)
16-23 months: Canine (tooth that sits next to the lateral incisor)
23-33 months: Second molar (molar closest to the back of the mouth)
Losing Baby Teeth:
6-7 years: Central incisors
7-8 years: Lateral incisors
9-11 years: First molar
9-12 years: Canines
10-12 years: Second molars
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I treat my child’s teething pain?
It is best to consult with your pediatrician to see if and how much acetaminophen you can give to your child to manage their pain. Another way to safely treat pain is by holding a cold compress on the gums.
- My daughter is losing her teeth faster than her older brother did at her age. Is this normal?
Yes. Girls tend to lose their teeth before boys do, most of the time.
- How many baby teeth should my child have in total?
By the age of three years old, your child should have 20 total primary (baby) teeth. They will have these teeth in their mouths from the age of three until the age of six when they should begin to fall out.
- Is it normal for my child’s baby teeth to be whiter than their adult teeth?
Yes. Primary teeth are generally whiter and smaller than adult teeth, and that is totally natural.
- Why does my child have spaces in between his/her baby teeth? Does that mean they will end up with a gap between their adult teeth?
As facial structure changes and bones in the face develop, space is created between baby teeth. This is normal! The adult teeth are bigger than the baby teeth and will need extra space to come in correctly. Having spaces in between baby teeth does not mean that your child will or will not have a gap—that’s up to their individual genetics and development.
Advanced Children’s Dentistry is a kid’s dental practice in Garden City, NY where pedodontist Dr. Sybil provides a fun and educational dental experience for all of her little patients. Schedule your child’s pediatric dental appointment at 516-758-KIDS.
[i] https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/life-stages/childrens-oral-care/ada-03-late-baby-teeth-may-mean-more-visits-to-the-dentist
