The Transition from Baby to Adult Teeth: Expectations & Management

You can expect your child’s transition from baby teeth to adult teeth to last their entire childhood. Their baby teeth will begin falling out around age 6 and continue falling out into their early teen years.

Over time, adult teeth will replace baby teeth, also called primary teeth. Caring for your child’s baby teeth properly and starting teeth straightening treatments at the right time will ensure that your child ends up with a full set of straight adult teeth.

Tracking Teeth Growth Through Eruption Charts

Children’s baby teeth start appearing sometime between 4 and 10 months of age. This process is influenced by many factors, so don't be alarmed if your child starts developing baby teeth earlier or later than this.

Teeth eruption charts are handy tools to help you track your child’s dental development. Remember that the chart is merely a guide: not every child's teeth will erupt at the same time.

To use the eruption chart, mark the date when your child’s first tooth emerged. Then, use this date as a reference point for when the other teeth should appear. Most children will have 20 baby teeth in total. In general:

• The first four teeth appear around 6 months of age.
• Teeth appear in pairs, one on each side of the jaw.
• Lower teeth erupt first.
• Baby teeth are whiter and smaller compared to permanent teeth.

Primary to Adult Teeth Transition Overview

The transition from baby teeth to permanent ones is slow and gradual, lasting from before birth to around age 18. It progresses in 5 stages:

• Stage 1: Infancy to age 3
• Stage 2: Ages 3 to 6         
• Stage 3: Ages 6 to 9
• Stage 4: Ages 9 to 12
• Stage 5: Ages 12 to 18

How to Keep Your Child's Teeth Healthy

Some parents neglect to care for their child's primary teeth since these teeth will eventually fall out. However, caring for baby teeth allows your child to chew and speak without difficulty. In addition, keeping baby teeth in place as long as possible allows them to act as placeholders for the permanent teeth. This keeps the rest of the teeth in proper alignment until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.

You can take care of your child’s primary teeth by:

• Wiping the gums with a soft cloth before teeth erupt
• Using a soft toothbrush and plain water to clean the first teeth to erupt
• Visiting a pediatric dentist when your child is 1 year old
• Using a soft toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of children’s toothpaste when your child is 2 years old or older
• Flossing your child’s teeth when they have at least two teeth that touch each other
• Switching to normal toothpaste when your child 6 years old or older
• Supervising your child while they are brushing until you are confident that they can do it correctly

When Should You Consider Teeth Straightening and Orthodontics?

During your child’s routine dental visits, the dentist will assess the alignment of your child’s teeth and tell you if orthodontic treatment is required. 

If your dentist recommends orthodontic treatment, take your child for a consultation when they are around 7 years old. The orthodontist will assess their case and determine whether treatment should begin immediately or if a delayed approach is best. 

There are many different options available to straighten teeth, including:

• Metal braces
• Ceramic braces
• Lingual braces
• Clear aligners

Your child’s orthodontist will let you know which options are best suited to your child’s needs and lifestyle.

References

Children's Oral Health. (April 2022). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Wisdom Teeth: Overview. (May 2020). InformedHealth.org.

Baby Teething Symptoms. (February 2019). National Healthcare Service (NHS).

Anatomy and Development of the Mouth and Teeth. (March 2018). Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Natal Teeth: Case Report and Review of Literature. (June 2009). Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.

Teeth Eruption Chart. (November 2005). American Dental Association.