Teething Timeline: Infancy to Young Adult

As a parent, it helps to be informed about your child’s teething schedule so that you know when to expect those new pearly whites. At the office of Dr. Tejal Kakade, your child’s smile is important to us, beginning from the time the first tooth emerges until the last set of molars emerge in young adulthood. Therefore, we are happy to provide full service pediatric dentistry at our Carrollton office. Understanding this basic teething timeline can help you stay ahead of your child’s growing smile.

4-10 Months: This is when you will be celebrating a milestone of your baby’s first tooth. You will also get to experience signs of teething beforehand, which may include excessive drooling, biting and irritability. Let us know if you need help easing your child’s discomfort during teething.

1 to 3 Years: Into the toddler years, you can expect to watch your child’s smile fill with tiny teeth. By the age of 3, he or she should be sporting a full set of 20 chompers. Remember to bring your child for a first dental visit during their first year.

6 to 11: It’s time to start saying goodbye to those cute baby teeth. Your child may lose his or her first tooth around age 5 or 6, but this can vary. In general, teeth fall out in pairs and in the same order that they emerged. Expect to keep the tooth fairy busy through elementary school.

12 to 13 Years: Among other pre-teen happenings, your child will also be getting nearly all of their adult teeth by this age. They may also be in charge of their own oral hygiene, so make sure they are taking care of those new permanent teeth like they should.

16 to 25 Years: Although it may seem like teething should be done for good, there is one final set of molars to emerge during young adulthood (or even later). The last set of molars, also known as wisdom teeth, are unfortunately known for causing more harm than good. Your dentist can evaluate these emerging molars to make sure they aren’t coming in sideways or impacted. In such cases, they may need to be removed.

Remember, these dates represent an average timeline. Every child has a uniquely emerging smile. If you have concerns or questions about how your child’s teeth are coming in (or not coming in), please let us know. We are proud to be your partner for a lifetime of healthy smiles.