Primary dental development involves the development of the primary, first, or baby teeth.
Description
The primary teeth usually begin to appear about six months after birth. Most children have all 20 primary teeth by age two. The eruption of teeth is associated with teething, a process often causing symptoms such as drooling, disturbed sleep, irritability, swollen gums, and, sometimes, a low-grade fever. While there are typical patterns of tooth eruption, these patterns can vary greatly from child to child.
Tooth development in the upper jaw
The primary teeth in the upper jaw are:
Central incisors, which erupt between ages 7 and 12 months and fall out around 6 to 8 years of age.
Lateral incisors, erupting between 9 and 13 months of age and falling out by the time a child reaches 7 or 8 years of age.
Canines or cuspids, which appear around 16 to 22 months of age and fall out at 10 to 12 years old.
Primary teeth: development and eruption
Hard tissue
formation
begins
Root
(weeks
Eruption
completed
in utero)
(months)
(years)
SOURCE: Lunt, R.C. and D.B. Law. "A review of the chronology of eruption of deciduous teeth." J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 89 (Oct. 1974): 872.
Maxillary
Central incisor
14
8–12
1.5
Lateral incisor
16
9–13
2
Canine
17
16–22
3.25
First molar
15.5
13–19 boys
14–18 girls
1.5
Second molar
19
25–33
3
Mandibular
Central incisor
14
6–10
1.5
Lateral incisor
16
10–16
1.5
Canine
17
17–23
3.25
First molar
15.5
14–18
2.25
Second molar
18
23–31 boys
24–30 girls
3
First molars, emerging between 18 and 19 months and falling out at 9 to 11 years of age.
Second molars, which come in at 25 to 33 months old and fall out at 10 to 12 years of age.
Tooth development in the lower jaw
The primary teeth in the lower jaw are:
Central incisors, which erupt at 6 to 10 months and fall out at 6 to 6 years.
Lateral incisors, erupting at 7 to 16 months and falling out between 7 to 8 years of age.
Canines, which come in at 16 to 23 months of age and fall out between 9 and 12 years of age.
First molars, emerging at 12 to 18 months and falling out at 9 to 11 years of age.
Second molars, which erupt between 20 and 31 months and fall out at 10 to 12 years of age.
Function
Teeth are for chewing and crunching food. They are attached to the tooth root, which anchors them to the jaw bone. The visible part of the tooth is the crown and its hard covering is enamel, which is the hardest substance in the body. The enamel covers a material, called dentin, which makes up the majority of each tooth. Deeper inside the tooth is the pulp, which includes nerve sensations and provides nutrients to the tooth. Baby teeth, like permanent teeth, include pointier incisor and cuspid teeth capable of tearing meats and rounder, flatter molars for grinding foods such as vegetables.
Role in human health
Primary teeth have many roles. They allow children to chew properly, helping them to maintain sound nutrition. Primary teeth are important for good pronunciation and speech and are a key aesthetic facial feature. Another function of primary teeth is that they guide permanent teeth and contribute to healthy jaw development.
Premature primary tooth loss
At times, primary teeth fall out or are knocked out too early. The resulting space might become too small for the erupting tooth, so dentists often fill the space with a space maintainer to ensure adequate room for permanent tooth eruption.
Dental decay or caries
Dental decay often begins in childhood. Caries, also known as cavities, start as an interaction between bacteria, which normally occurs on teeth, and sugars in the diet. The bacteria and sugars produce an acid, which causes teeth that are exposed to it to lose mineral. Cavities that form in the primary teeth can spread into the developing permanent teeth below. To treat the decay, the dentist has to remove it and fill the tooth with silver- or tooth-colored materials. The fluoride found in drinking water helps prevent cavities and has resulted in far fewer children developingdental caries. Dentists also use sealants to prevent decay. Sealants are clear or shaded plastic materials, which dentists apply to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The sealants coat the teeth and form a barrier to protect against bacteria.
Early childhood dental caries
Early childhood dental caries is a dental problem that frequently develops in infants that are put to bed with a bottle containing a sweet liquid. Bottles containing liquids such as milk, formula, fruit juices, sweetened drink mixes, and sugar water continuously bathe an infant's mouth with sugar during naps or at night. The bacteria in the mouth use this sugar to produce acid that destroys the child's teeth. The upper front teeth are typically the ones most severely damaged; the lower front teeth receive some protection from the tongue. Pacifiers dipped in sugar, honey, corn syrup, or other sweetened liquids also contribute to early childhood dental caries. The first signs of damage are chalky white spots or lines across the teeth. As decay progresses, the damage to the child's teeth becomes obvious.
Injuries, such as falls
Falls and athletic injuries can result in damage to the primary teeth and gums. Dentists should examine these injuries as soon as possible after they occur because they can often save teeth even if they have been knocked out of the socket.
Amelogenesis imperfecta
Amelogenesis imperfecta is a genetic defect in tooth enamel formation. It can appear as a localized row or pits of linear depressions or as generalized tooth discoloration, varying from white to translucent brown. Some children have no enamel at all, or their teeth might look hard or rough on the surface. Sometimes, the enamel of children with amelogenesis imperfecta looks soft and mottled. It can also appear honey-colored, yellow, orange, or brown. Dentists often treat amelogenesis imperfecta by placing crowns or fillings to restore the primary teeth. Fluoride supplements can help. Regular dental care to monitor amelogenesis imperfecta is important. It is not known how this condition affects the permanent teeth.
Bite problems and growth and development disturbances
Bite problems, or malocclusions, can be hereditary or caused by missing or extra teeth from birth, thumb sucking, or early loss of baby teeth. Bite problems can affect a child's appearance, as well as his or her ability to talk, eat, and digest foods properly. Dentists or orthodontists can help correct malocclusions.
Developmental abnormalities
Discoloration or deformation of teeth can occur in the primary dentition. The problem might affect a few of the teeth or the entire dentition. These defects can affect
normal chewing, disrupt normal tooth development, and adversely affect appearance. Illness, high fevers, or some medications can cause unerupted teeth to erupt discolored.
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