For some teething is eons past, unlikely
remembered by children, but the days of dental eruption is far from over! Those 32
permanent teeth erupt on average over the ages of 5.5 to 30 years old. With all
these changes taking place, parents of Burlington Pediatric Dentistry frequently
ask common questions regarding dental growth and development. I’d like to take
this opportunity to highlight some of those questions and how I would speak to
them as if we were sitting on the bright green benches of the clinic.
Q: When do the first permanent teeth erupt
and in what order?
A: The first permanent teeth to erupt are
typically the lower front incisor or the first molar (6-year molar), on average
between 5.5-7 years old. These are
followed by the upper central incisors, then upper and lower lateral incisors,
around 8 years old. Most children take a break in this “mixed dentition” stage
until 10 years old.
Q: My child’s baby tooth is gone, when will
the permanent tooth take its place?
A: Although we often expect when a baby
tooth is lost it will get replaced immediately, the upper incisors are
notoriously late arrivers, erupting as late as 12 months after the baby teeth
are shed. While these maybe average times and patterns, some children deviate
without concern, however it is best to make sure with your Pediatric Dentist.
Q: How are permanent teeth different from
baby teeth?
A: Have a great look at that exciting new
tooth, and recognize it is much different from the one it replaced in size,
shape, and colour.
Size - It is bigger in every dimension, and
so is each composing layer. The larger shape
of the permanent incisors starts to make the mouth look pretty full and may
close spaces or cause crowding. Your Pediatric Dentist will be able to give you
a good idea as to how it will all fit together, but the real space experts in
dentistry are Orthodontists. The current
recommendation for a first Orthodontist consultation is age 7, but don’t worry,
this doesn’t mean treatment will start then for most children!
Shape – You may wonder, what are those
ridges on the top of my child’s teeth? These bumps or ridges known as mamelonsmay
look funny, but they will wear down naturally on their own. Don’t let anyone
grind them down; they sometimes have tiny pulp (nerve) horns the inside.
Colour - Permanent teeth are darker than
baby teeth, this is because they are bigger in every dimension. Even the inner layers are thicker, so less
light passes, resulting in a darker tooth that is less translucent. The colour of new teeth may be affected by a
history of childhood trauma, disease, certain antibiotic or drug exposures, or
other infections including infections of the baby teeth. Your Pediatric Dentist
will be able to help determine any specific dental anomalies.
Q: My child’s permanent tooth has grown in
but the baby tooth is still there, is that okay?
A: Ideally, as new teeth emerge they will
replace the position of the corresponding baby teeth. This does not always
occur, so watch for teeth that erupt inside or outside the arch form,
especially if the corresponding baby tooth is not lost. The newly erupted tooth
no longer forces the loss of the baby tooth and it may
need a little encouragement from your Pediatric Dentist.
Remember, permanent teeth are supposed to
last the rest of your child’s life, help them brush and floss daily for a
lifetime of excellent oral health.
