You may wonder how many teeth kids have, especially when children begin losing their teeth. When comparing baby teeth vs adult teeth, kids have 20 baby teeth, and adults have 32 permanent teeth.
To ensure that the baby teeth are erupting and falling out as they are supposed to, it is necessary for children to begin seeing a pediatric dentist between six months of age until the final adult teeth have formed.
A pediatric dentist can help ensure a child’s teeth development is on track, identify cavities and tooth decay, and provide preventative treatments to help keep their teeth healthy.
Do Babies Have Teeth Under Their Gums When They Are Born?
Most babies are born with their primary teeth sitting underneath their gums. Rarely, babies might not have their primary teeth underneath their gums if they have hormonal irregularities, congenital disabilities, or specific bone or skin diseases.
If a baby is born without some of their teeth under their gums, it is called Hypodontia, a form of dental agenesis. To have Hypodontia, a baby must not develop one to six teeth. Typical treatment for this condition includes orthodontics, bridges, dental implants, or dentures.
The primary teeth will stay under their gums until they begin teething, usually around six months. Generally, children will have all of their primary teeth by age three.
How Many Baby Teeth Do Kids Have?
If you are unsure of how many primary teeth there are, kids have 20 primary teeth altogether. For each set of four teeth, two are in the lower arch, and two are in the upper arch on each side of the child’s mouth. This is the order in which baby teeth come in, usually beginning around six months of age.
Upper Teeth
- Central Incisor – erupts between 8-12 months and falls out between 6-7 years
- Lateral Incisor – erupts between 9-13 months and falls out between 7-8 yearsÂ
- Canine – erupts between 16-22 months and falls out between 10-12 years
- First Molar – erupts between 13 -19 months and falls out between 9-11 years
- Second Molar – erupts between 25-33 months and falls out between 10-12 years
Lower Teeth
- Central Incisor – erupts between 6-10 months and falls out between 6-7 years
- Lateral Incisor – erupts between 10-16 months and falls out between 7-8 years
- Canine – erupts between 17-23 months and falls out between 9-12 years
- First Molar – erupts between 14-18 months and falls out between 9-11 years
- Second Molar – erupts between 23-31 months and falls out between 10-12 years
When Do Kids Get Their Permanent Teeth?
Most kids begin to get their permanent teeth between the ages of 6 and 12. Most kids will have 28 permanent teeth by age 13, but developing their third set of molars will take longer.
The third set of molars is also known as wisdom teeth, typically appearing in the late teens to early twenties. By the time a child is 25 years old, they should have all 32 permanent teeth.
What Are Permanent Teeth?
Permanent teeth are the teeth that emerge through a child’s gums after their baby teeth fall out, taking the place of the baby teeth.
As a child’s bones and jaw grow, there is more room for permanent teeth to grow in. Permanent teeth are more tough and durable than baby teeth, mostly because they have a thick layer of enamel, so they are more resistant to cavities and decay.
Types of Permanent Teeth
These are the permanent teeth that adults have:
- 8 incisors
- 4 canines
- 8 premolars
- 12 molars
Functions of Teeth
Incisors
The incisors are the teeth that are the most visible in the mouth. They are the four front teeth in the upper and lower jaws. Their primary function is to cut food when you chew.
Canines
There are four canine teeth, two in the mandibular area and two in the maxillary arch. They are adjacent to and behind lateral incisors. The canines tear food when eating. They help tear food.
Premolars
The premolars, also known as bicuspids, are located adjacent to canines. Their purpose is to grind and crush food when chewing. They keep the shape of the face. If these teeth are absent, the face’s appearance may look different.
Molars
The molars are the teeth that are the furthest back in the mouth. They have a flat and broad surface with four to five cusps. The molars are designed to tear food when chewing.
How Many Teeth Do Kids Have? FAQs
How many baby teeth do you lose?
Kids should lose 20 baby teeth by the time they are 12 years old to make space for their permanent teeth. These teeth will gradually fall out between the ages of 6 and 13.
How many teeth does an 8 year old have?
An 8 year old should have about 16 teeth, but it depends on the child. Each child loses teeth at their own rate so this number can fluctuate by a few.
How many teeth do kids have vs adults?
Children have 20 baby teeth, whereas adults have 32 permanent teeth. Baby teeth include four central incisors, four canine teeth, four lateral incisors, and eight molars. An adult’s permanent teeth include eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and 12 molars.
Do children have 32 teeth?
Children do not have 32 teeth, but adults do. Children have 20 baby teeth, eventually growing all of their adult teeth by the time they are in their late teens to early twenties.
Do all 32 teeth fall out?
No, a child only loses 20 teeth, all baby teeth. However, many adults get their third molars (wisdom teeth) surgically removed due to impaction.
Conclusion
Knowing how many teeth kids have is essential so you can better understand when they are supposed to erupt, fall out, and when the permanent teeth come in.
A pediatric dentist has knowledge of how teeth develop from the earliest stages of life and when the permanent teeth come through. The Super Dentists can cater to the unique needs of every child, maintaining their smile and oral health throughout childhood into early adulthood.
Schedule your visit today with the Super Dentists!
