Using A Permanent Teeth Chart To Track Your Child's New Teeth

August 30, 2024. 6 min read

A girl with missing teeth playing with yellow fallen leaves in an autumn forest

Did you know that your child is born with all of their teeth? The baby (primary) teeth are there under the gums, waiting to start erupting at about six months old. And the adult (permanent) teeth are developing underneath them, ready to start coming out at around six years old, after the baby teeth start to fall out. That’s a lot of teeth to keep track of! But don’t worry – a tooth eruption chart can help. But before we talk about how to use a tooth eruption chart, let’s go over the basics of baby vs adult teeth…

Types of Teeth: Primary vs Permanent

A full set of primary teeth, or baby teeth, consists of 20 teeth, while a full set of adult teeth, or permanent teeth, consists of 32 teeth. Here are the four main types of permanent teeth your little one will end up with:

Incisors. These are the thin, straight teeth that sit front and center in the mouth. There are eight in total; each tooth arch has two central incisors in the middle, with a lateral incisor on either side. Their main jobs are to bite food, help to pronounce words, and support the lips.
Canines. These fang-like teeth sit either side of the lateral incisors, with two on the bottom and two on the top. Also referred to as cuspids, their pointy shape helps them to cut and shear foods. They also guide teeth into place when the jaw comes together.
Premolars. Also known as the bicuspids, these teeth are on the sides of each arch. There are eight in total – four in each arch, with two on each side of the canines. They have broader, flattened surfaces to help with chewing, and they also support the structure of your child’s face.
Molars. Past the premolars, the molars are the widest teeth that sit at the back of each arch. There are 12 in total – six on each arch, with three on either side. Like the premolars, they grind and chew food and support facial structure.

When Will My Child’s Permanent Teeth Come Through?

When your child reaches about six years of age, their baby teeth will start to fall out. This will happen in the same order they came in. According to the American Dental Association’s (ADA) tooth eruption guide, that timeline typically looks like this:

6-7 years old – upper and lower central incisors (front teeth).
7-8 years old – upper and lower lateral incisors (either side of the front teeth).
9-11 years old – upper and lower first molars (back teeth next to the canines).
9-12 years old – lower canines (fang teeth).
10-12 years old – upper canines.
10-12 years old – upper and lower second molars (the teeth right at the back).

After a baby tooth falls out, a permanent tooth is not far behind! The ADA says that the permanent teeth will typically erupt on this schedule:

6-7 years old – lower central incisors.
6-7 years old – upper and lower first molars.
7-8 years old – lower lateral incisors.
7-8 years old – upper central incisors.
8-9 years old – upper lateral incisors.
9-10 years old – lower canines.
10-11 years old – upper first premolars (the teeth between the canines and the molars).
10-12 years old – lower first premolars.
10-12 years old – upper second premolars.
11-12 years old – lower second premolars.
11-12 years old – upper canines.
11-13 years old – lower second molars.
12-13 years old – upper second molars.
17-21 years old – upper and lower third molars (wisdom teeth).

Using a Permanent Teeth Chart

Your dentist likes to identify and track each tooth so they can make sure your child is losing and growing teeth as they should – and so can you. The American Dental Association has created charts for baby and permanent adult teeth that you can find here.

To use the chart, simply mark or color in the corresponding tooth as it erupts, and make a note of your child’s age. You can turn this into a fun educational game for your child by letting them color in their own tooth chart and predicting which tooth will come through next. Plus, rewarding them with a little prize might give them a bit more incentive to take an interest in their dental health. This is an effective motivational tactic that parents have been using since the beginning of time!

What About the Wisdom Teeth?

By their early teens, your child should have 28 permanent teeth. The four wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, will emerge later on, bringing the total to 32. According to the ADA, your child’s – or should we say young adult’s – wisdom teeth will start to come through in their late teens or early 20s.

Sometimes, the wisdom teeth don’t emerge fully through the gum line, and are referred to as “impacted”. This can happen if the teeth are crowded or the jaw is small, and the teeth don’t have enough room to fully break through. This can cause no problems for some people, but others might experience pain or discomfort. As the impacted part of the tooth is difficult to keep clean, it can also lead to frequent infections or tooth decay. Be sure your child regularly sees your dentist so they can properly assess if your child needs their wisdom teeth removed. If so, plan to coddle them for a few days as they'll need to be off their feet and in bed recovering.

Caring for Your Child's New Teeth

Your child’s new permanent teeth have to last them a lifetime! That means excellent oral care is a must. Make sure your child is:

Brushing twice a day, for two minutes each time.
Using an age-appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Flossing or cleaning in between their teeth with an interdental cleaner daily.
Attending regular dental check-ups and having professional cleanings.
Eating a nutritious diet with limited sugary or acidic foods and drinks.

The journey from baby teeth to permanent teeth takes a while – most of your kid’s childhood, in fact. A permanent teeth chart can help you and your child to keep track of their teeth as they come in over the years, making sure everything is developing as it should. And the best part? It creates a fun bonding opportunity and a lifelong memory between you and your child. What’s not to love about that!

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

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