Baby teeth: roughly 6 months to 3 years
Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, usually a bottom front tooth, though anywhere from 4 to 15 months is common. By about age 3, most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth. Every child's timing is different — patterns matter more than exact dates, and we check development at every visit.
Why baby teeth matter
Baby teeth aren't just placeholders. They hold space for permanent teeth, guide jaw development, and are essential for chewing and clear speech. That's why we treat decay in baby teeth seriously — losing one too early can crowd or misalign the permanent tooth behind it.
The switch: roughly ages 6 to 12
Around age 6, the first baby teeth loosen and the first permanent molars arrive — often unnoticed, behind the last baby teeth. Over the next several years, baby teeth fall out roughly in the order they arrived. By about 12 or 13, most kids have 28 permanent teeth.
This stage is prime time for prevention: sealants on those brand-new permanent molars, fluoride for strengthening enamel, and coaching as kids take over their own brushing.
Wisdom teeth: the late teens
Third molars usually appear between 17 and 21 — and often there isn't room for them. We monitor wisdom teeth through the teen years with exams and imaging so that if removal is needed, it can be timed well.
This guide is general educational information, not dental or medical advice. For guidance about your child, call (941) 529-0331 or request an appointment.