If you are a parent or caretaker, you should know how your child’s mouth develops. Not only will this help you care for your child and their dental health, but it can also help you catch problems earlier on. If you’re interested in learning the basics on how your child’s mouth develops, keep reading! We’ll tell you when to expect them to lose their first tooth, along with when they might need to begin orthodontic care. 

How a Child’s Mouth Develops 

Did you know that your child’s mouth begins to develop when they’re in the womb? Stanford Children’s Health explains that there are four main stages in the development of a child’s mouth.

• The first stage begins in the unborn baby at around 6 weeks of pregnancy. This is when the basic substance of the tooth begins to form. 
• Next, the second stage is when the hard tissue that surrounds the teeth develops, around 3 to 4 months of pregnancy. 
• The third stage happens after the baby is born, and occurs when the teeth begin to protrude through the gums. 
• Finally, the last stage is when the child begins to lose their baby teeth. 

When Will My Child Get Their First Tooth? 

No two kids are alike, and everyone experiences growth at different rates. However, there are average ages where developmental milestones happen. For many babies, teeth will begin to develop between the ages of 6 months to 1 year old. Usually, the first teeth to appear are the lower front teeth. By the age of 3, most children will have all of their baby teeth.

The Timeline

Healthy Children by the American Academy of Pediatrics lists a timeline of when babies will develop certain teeth, and the ages they typically lose them by:

• The top front teeth (central incisors) typically erupt anywhere from 8-12 months and will be lost when the child is around 6 or 7 years old. 
• The lateral incisors erupt around 9-13 months of age and are lost when the child is 7 or 8 years old.
• The canines erupt anywhere from 16-22 months old and are typically lost when the child is 10 to 12 years old. 
• The first molar on the top of the mouth appears around 13-19 months old and is lost when the child is 9 to 11 years old. 
• The second molar on the upper teeth comes in from 25-33 months old and is lost when the child is between the ages of 10 and 12. 
• The lower front teeth typically are the first to erupt and come in from 6-10 months of age. They are lost when the child is about 6 or 7 years old. 
• The lateral incisors on the bottom erupt around the ages of 10 to 16 months old and are shed when the child is 7 or 8 years old.
• The bottom canines come in when the child is anywhere from 17 to 23 months old, and fall out when the child is 9 to 12 years old. 
• The first molar on the bottom appears around 14 to 18 months old and most children lose these teeth around 9 to 11 years old.
• The second molar on the bottom erupts anywhere from 23-31 months old and is lost when the child is 10 to 12 years old. 

Children and Orthodontic Care

You want your child to have a smile they’re confident with, but you don’t want to start orthodontic care too early. The purpose of orthodontic care is to give a smile that functions properly, where the teeth and straight and the jaw is in correct alignment. As we said before, every child’s mouth develops differently. However, a child should have an orthodontic evaluation by the time that they are 7 years old. If they will need orthodontic treatment, this is the perfect time to decide on a game plan for when all of your child’s permanent teeth finally come in. 

At Mountain Aire Dentistry, our team offers FastBraces. If your child’s teeth are crooked and crowded, this is a great option to help correct their smile. Additionally, it can help correct irregularities in the alignment of the teeth and jaw, correcting problems such as:

• Misaligned teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Overbite
• Crossbite
• Underbite
• Open bite

Make an Appointment with Mountain Aire Dentistry

We know that you want the best for your child, and so do we. Dr. Chris Bockrath is a family and cosmetic dentist who can help you or your child, no matter their age. With experience you can trust, Dr. Bockrath will provide you with a level of care that you won’t find anywhere else in Colorado. Make an appointment with us today by calling (303)-731-7755.