Baby Teeth: Number, Eruption & Replacement - A Comprehensive Guide

Primary (deciduous) dentition consists of 20 teeth:

• 8 incisors (central, lateral)
• 4 canines
• 8 molars (no premolars)

Eruption Timeline (Average)

• Lower central incisors: 6–10 months
• Upper central incisors: 8–12 months
• Upper/lower laterals: 9–16 months
• First molars: 13–19 months
• Canines: 16–23 months
• Second molars: 23–33 months

All 20 usually erupted by age 3.

Exfoliation & Permanent Succession

• Begins ~age 6 (lower centrals).
• Mixed dentition phase (primary + permanent) until ~12–13.
• Second molars replaced by second premolars.
• Third molars (wisdom teeth) erupt 17–21 (or not at all).

Care

• Clean gums before teeth; brush twice daily with rice-grain fluoride toothpaste (<3 yrs) or pea-size (≥3 yrs).
• First dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of first tooth.
• Avoid bottle/sippy cup with milk/juice at bedtime.