Information about Teeth

The Tooth

Primary Teeth   Children's teeth begin forming before birth. As early as 4 months, the first primary, or baby, teeth to erupt through the gums and the lower central incisors, followed closely by the upper central incisors. Although all 20 primary teeth usually appear by age 3, the pace and order of their eruption varies.   Oral care should begin soon after baby's birth. Gums should be cleaned after each feeding. You can begin brushing your child's teeth as soon as they appear.

Permanent Teeth   Begin appearing around the age of 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues until the age of 21.Adults have 28 permanent teeth, or up to 32 including third molars (Wisdom Teeth).

Third Molars (Wisdom Teeth)

• Third molars (usually 4 of them) develop in the back 4 corners of the mouth.

• Wisdom teeth usually erupt between ages 17 to 21. If there is enough room in the mouth, these teeth will erupt into a normal position.

• Some wisdom teeth come in only part way, and yet some never do erupt. These teeth are called impacted wisdom teeth.

• Possible problems associated with an impacted wisdom tooth are:

1-     Decay in the wisdom tooth.

2-     Decay in the adjacent tooth

3-     Infection and swelling

4-     Cyst formation

5-     Possible crowding of teeth

·  Many people do not have enough room for their wisdom teeth and eventually have them extracted.

·  May wisdom teeth can be extracted at a general dental office in case you need an oral surgeon your regular dentist will refer you to one.