When Do You Get Your Permanent Teeth?

Jun 20, 2019

Hersch Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics proudly serves the Newport Beach, Orange County surrounding communities to provide the most efficient pediatric dental care. Our office team and experienced doctors are always available to answer your questions. One of our patient’s most common questions is when their children’s teeth will shift from baby to adult teeth.

Most people have two sets of teeth, primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, and permanent or ‘adult’ teeth. While it is common for some to be born with several missing teeth (either primary or permanent), most children are born with 20 teeth – 10 on the top and 10 on the bottom. Over time, the 20 primary teeth are replaced with 32 permanent teeth, 16 on the top and 16 on the bottom. The time period for one’s permanent, or adult teeth to grow in is typically consistent across the board. Continue reading for more information on a child’s permanent teeth growth timeline.

Timeline of Teeth Growth

Not every child’s mouth is the same. For some, it can take longer than others for all primary teeth to fall out and permanent teeth to grow in.

Primary or ‘Baby’ Teeth

  • Most children are born with 20 primary teeth, 10 on the top and 10 on the bottom.
  • A child’s first teeth will typically grow in by the age of 6 months. The two back molars are usually the first to grow in.
  • A child’s remainder primary teeth will grow in between the ages 2-3 years old.
  • Primary teeth will begin to fall out between the ages of 6-7 years old.

Primary or ‘Baby’ Teeth Additional Facts

  • It is common for females to precede males in tooth growth.
  • It is common for the 10 primary bottom teeth to appear before the top teeth.
  • Primary teeth are smaller in size and often whiter than permanent teeth.
  • A child will have a mixture of both primary and permanent teeth between the ages of 6-12 years old.

Permanent or ‘Adult’ Teeth

  • 32 permanent teeth grow in over time to replace the 20 primary teeth. There are typically 16 on the top and 16 on the bottom.
  • Most children will grow in 28 of their permanent teeth by the ages of 12-13.
  • It is common for permanent molars to be the first to appear in young adults.
  • Between the ages 16-23 years old, third molars, also known as wisdom teeth, grow in. These teeth are often, but not always, removed by a pediatric dentist.

Permanent or ‘Adult Teeth Additional Facts

  • A child’s jaw must grow and create room in their mouth in order for all permanent teeth to be able to come in.
  • Not all third molars, or wisdom teeth, need to be removed. Contact Hersch Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics if your child begins to experience pain towards the back of their mouth between the ages 16-23 years old.

Contact Hersch Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s teeth growth, please contact our Newport Beach office by calling (949) 644-0611 or schedule an appointment online.