Eruption of Your Child's Teeth

Most children follow similar developmental timelines when their teeth begin to erupt. Dr. Peter Gurr and Dr. Scott Jensen will carefully monitor your child’s mouth to ensure that they are developing correctly and without any complications. To schedule an appointment with our experienced pediatric dentists in San Antonio, Texas, and learn more about the eruption of your child’s teeth, please call The Dentists for Kids today at (210)696-2563.
Your child’s teeth actually start developing during the fourth month of pregnancy, making a nourishing prenatal diet critical to your child’s teeth, gums, and bones. Your child’s first primary tooth will break through the gums between 6 and 12 months of age. By the age of 3, most children have a “full” set of 20 primary teeth. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment with a pediatric dentist within six months of the first tooth emerging to ensure that the primary teeth are properly cared for.

Generally, the first teeth to emerge are the central incisors (the very front teeth). The lateral incisors usually emerge next, between 9-16 months of age (these are the teeth on either side of the central incisors). Then the first molars, between 13-19 months, and the canine teeth, between 16-23 months. Finally, the second molars complete the set. Your child will gradually lose his or her primary teeth as their permanent teeth begin to come in, usually between the ages of 6 and 12.

Primary teeth facilitate speech and pronunciation, proper jaw development, good chewing habits, and appropriate spacing and alignment of adult teeth. Ensuring that they are properly cared for helps prevent tooth decay, premature tooth loss, malnutrition, and childhood periodontal disease.

For more information about the eruption of your child’s teeth and their oral development, and to set up an appointment with our pediatric specialists, please contact our office today at (210)696-2563.