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Teeth Eruption Timetable

Primary teeth eruption chart
The following chart shows when primary teeth (also called baby teeth or deciduous teeth) erupt and shed. Its important to note that eruption times can vary from child to child.

Upper Primary Teeth Development Chart Upper Teeth Central incisor Lateral incisor Canine (cuspid) First molar Second molar When tooth emerges 8 to 12 months 9 to 13 months 16 to 22 months 13 to 19 months 25 to 33 months When tooth falls out 6 to 7 years 7 to 8 years 10 to 12 years 9 to 11 years 10 to 12 years

Lower Primary Teeth Development Chart Lower Teeth Second molar First molar Canine (cuspid) Lateral incisor Central incisor When tooth emerges 23 to 31 months 14 to 18 months 17 to 23 months 10 to 16 months 6 to 10 months When tooth falls out 10 to 12 years 9 to 11 years 9 to 12 years 7 to 8 years 6 to 7 years

As seen from the chart, the first teeth begin to break through the gums at about 6 months of age. Usually, the first two teeth to erupt are the two bottom central incisors (the two bottom front teeth). Next, the top four front teeth emerge. After that, other teeth slowly begin to fill in, usually in pairs -- one each side of the upper or lower jaw -- until all 20 teeth (10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw) have come in by the time the child is 2 to 3 years old. The complete set of primary teeth is in the mouth from the age of 2 to 3 years of age to 6 to 7 years of age.

Other primary tooth eruption facts:

A general rule of thumb is that for every 6 months of life, approximately 4 teeth will erupt. Girls generally precede boys in tooth eruption Lower teeth usually erupt before upper teeth Teeth in both jaws usually erupt in pairs -- one on the right and one on the left Primary teeth are smaller in size and whiter in color than the permanent teeth that will follow By the time a child is 2 to 3 years of age, all primary teeth should have erupted

Shortly after age 4, the jaw and facial bones of the child begin to grow, creating spaces between the primary teeth. This is a perfectly natural growth process that provides the necessary space for the larger permanent teeth to emerge. Between the ages of 6 and 12, a mixture of both primary teeth and permanent teeth reside in the mouth.

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

While its true that primary teeth are only in the mouth a short period of time, they play a vital role in the following ways:

They reserve space for their permanent counterparts They give the face its normal appearance They aid in the development of clear speech They help attain good nutrition (missing or decayed teeth make it difficult to chew causing children to reject foods) They help give a healthy start to the permanent teeth (decay and infection in baby teeth can cause dark spots on the permanent teeth developing beneath it)

Permanent teeth eruption chart

The following chart shows when permanent teeth emerge. Upper Permanent Teeth Development Chart Upper Teeth Central incisor Lateral incisor Canine (cuspid) First premolar (first bicuspid) Second premolar (second bicuspid) When tooth emerges 7 to 8 years 8 to 9 years 11 to 12 years 10 to 11 years 10 to 12 years

Upper Permanent Teeth Development Chart Upper Teeth First molar Second molar Third molar (wisdom teeth) When tooth emerges 6 to 7 years 12 to 13 years 17 to 21 years Lower Permanent Teeth Development Chart Lower Teeth Third molar (wisdom tooth) Second molar First molar Second premolar (second bicuspid) First premolar (first bicuspid) Canine (cuspid) Lateral incisor Central incisor When tooth emerges 17 to 21 years 11 to 13 years 6 to 7 years 11 to 12 years 10 to 12 years 9 to 10 years 7 to 8 years 6 to 7 years

As seen in this chart, permanent teeth begin to come in around the age of 6.

In some children, the first permanent molars are the first to emerge; in others, the incisors are the first to emerge. By the age of 13, most of the 28 permanent teeth will be in place. One to four wisdom teeth, or third molars, emerge between the ages of 17 and 21, bringing the total number of permanent teeth up to 32.

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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 2/23/2009...#11179

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