Baby's First Teeth

People usually think of a newborn baby as having no teeth. But the 20 primary teeth that will erupt during the first three years already are present at birth in the baby’s jawbones. At birth most of the crowns of the baby's teeth are almost complete and the chewing surfaces of the permanent molars have begun forming.

Primary teeth are important in normal development – for chewing, speaking, and appearance. In addition the primary teeth hold the space in the jaws for the permanent teeth. Both primary and permanent teeth help give the face its shape and form.

A baby’s front four teeth usually erupt first, typically at about six months of age, although some children don't have their first tooth until 12 or 14 months. Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the time they are three years old. As your child grows, the jaws also grow, making room for the permanent teeth that will begin to erupt at about age six. At the same time, the roots of the primary teeth begin to be absorbed by the tissues around them, and the permanent teeth under them begin to erupt. Typically, children have the majority of their permanent teeth by 12 or 14 years of age. The remaining four permanent molars, often called "wisdom teeth" erupt around age 21 to complete the set of 32 permanent teeth.