The first thing many parents wonder when their child has lost a baby tooth is, How many teeth should my child have? While your child may not be able to count his or her teeth just yet, you can. You will want to make sure you know how many teeth your child has in case of any dental emergencies or if you need to take your child in for his or her next checkup with the pediatric dentist. Here are some basics on your child’s dental teeth numbers so you can help keep your child smiling brightly with all of his or her pearly whites!
The Dental Teeth Numbering System
In the dental teeth numbers system, the adult has 28 teeth. This includes 12 incisors (four uppers and four lower), 8 premolars (four upper and four lower), and 6 molars (two uppers and two lower). The baby has 20 teeth. This includes 12 primary teeth in the maxilla (upper jaw) and 12 primary teeth in the mandible (lower jaw). The baby starts with four deciduous incisors, which are replaced by four permanent incisors at about six months of age. At one year of age, there will be six deciduous molars, which are replaced by six permanent molars at about three years of age.
The Deciduous Teeth
Teeth are numbered from front to back and then on both sides of the mouth. There are 20 teeth in total. The first set of teeth starts at the front of the mouth and is called the deciduous teeth or ‘baby teeth. These start to come out around age six but can come in as early as four or five years old or as late as seven years old. The last tooth to be replaced by a permanent tooth is usually a central incisor, one of the two front teeth on either side of your smile.
The Permanent Teeth
The normal number of teeth is 28. Babies are born with 20 baby teeth, and by the time they are six years old, they will have lost all of them. The baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth which come in over several years. The first ones to come in will be the lower central incisors. The last one to come in is usually the second molar on the top row on either side of the mouth; this usually happens when children are between 12 and 14 years old.
Why Do We Lose Our Baby Teeth?
You should start taking your child to the dentist as soon as their first tooth comes in. At this time, the dentist will check for any early signs of cavities or other health issues and make recommendations for continued dental care. It is recommended that a child see the dentist twice a year until they are six years old. When the child is six, they can switch to once per year until they are 18 years old.
When Should I Start Taking My Child To The Dentist?
If you’re nervous about taking your child to the dentist, you are not alone. It can be a daunting experience for both parent and child. However, it is important to start taking your child as soon as their first tooth comes in. This way, the dentist will get to know them before any dental emergencies happen. If your child has missed out on an early dental visit due to a lack of insurance coverage or high-priced care, then schedule an appointment with a local provider that offers free or discounted services.
