Most people come equipped with two sets of teeth during their life: baby teeth and permanent teeth. You can protect permanent teeth by continuing the good oral hygiene habits recommended for baby teeth. Brush twice a day, floss once a day and see a dentist regularly. Dental sealants may be recommended as a way to protect vulnerable areas of the teeth by sealing out debris and bacteria.
Since decayed and missing permanent teeth will not regrow, it's worth learning more about permanent teeth eruption and what to do if your teeth are loose or missing.
Permanent Teeth Eruption
The general timing of permanent teeth eruption is somewhat predictable. The first permanent molars come in right behind the last baby teeth molars, usually some time between 6 and 7 years old. For the next several years, the mouth is in a transition period, with baby teeth falling out and being replaced by permanent ones.
It takes a while for all of the permanent teeth to make their appearance, but by the time they do, there are 32 in total. This includes 12 molars, eight premolars, four cuspids (or canines), and eight incisors. The majority of these teeth will erupt by the early teen years, but the four third molars (or wisdom teeth) will not appear until the late teens or early twenties. Here are the approximate ages of permanent teeth eruption:
|
Upper Teeth |
Lower Teeth |
|
|
|
| Central Incisors |
7-8 years |
6-7 years |
| Lateral Incisors |
8-9 years |
7-8 years |
| Cuspids (Canines) |
11-12 years |
9-10 years |
| First premolar (first bicuspid) |
10-11 years |
10-12 years |
| Second premolar (second bicuspid) |
10-12 years |
11-12 years |
| First molar |
6-7 years |
6-7 years |
| Second molar |
12-13 years |
11-13 years |
| Third molar (wisdom tooth) |
17-21 years |
17-21 years |