About Teeth

Throughout your life, you will have two sets of teeth: Primary (baby) teeth and secondary (permanent) teeth. The primary teeth typically appear around 5-7 months and all 20 teeth are usually in place by 24-36 months.

Permanent teeth usually begin growing around age 6, and with the exception of the wisdom teeth, are typically all present between ages 12 and 14. The 6 year molars will erupt behind the last baby tooth, no baby teeth will fall out when the permanent six year molar comes in. Wisdom teeth usually begin erupting around age 16-17. The total number of permanent teeth is 32, including the wisdom teeth.

Your front teeth are called incisors. The sharp “Fang-like” teeth are canines. The next side teeth are referred to as premolars or bicuspids (although for our baby teeth these are actually molars!), and the back teeth are our molars. Your permanent teeth are the ones you keep for life, so it is important that they are brushed and flossed regularly and checked by a dentist regularly.