Reviewed By Dr. Jodi Kuhn
Reading time: 3 minutes
Children’s teeth develop in stages, beginning with baby teeth and progressing to permanent teeth. While the sequence is predictable, timing and appearance can vary. Dentists evaluate overall patterns rather than exact ages to determine whether development is progressing normally.
We provide dental care for the whole family at our offices in Denver, Aurora, Thornton, and Hampden. We proudly accept Medicaid and make quality dental care accessible for every child.
| Dental and Vision Care in One Convenient Location At our Denver and Aurora locations, Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics and Youth Vision are conveniently located in the same building. This means your child can receive both dental and vision care at one familiar location, without extra travel or scheduling stress. |
Table of Contents
When Baby Teeth Usually Come In
Most babies get their first tooth around six months, although an earlier or later eruption can still be normal. Baby teeth usually appear gradually over the first few years rather than all at once.
Typical Baby Teeth Eruption Pattern
While timing varies, baby teeth often erupt in this general order:
- Lower central incisors (bottom front teeth)
- Upper central incisors (top front teeth)
- Lateral incisors (teeth next to the front teeth)
- First molars (back teeth used for chewing)
- Canines (pointed teeth near the front of the mouth)
- Second molars (back teeth that complete the baby tooth set)
Most children have all 20 baby teeth by about age three.
When Permanent Teeth Start Coming In
As your child loses their baby teeth, permanent teeth begin to erupt. This process starts around six years old, and unlike primary teeth eruption, this happens gradually throughout the mouth. By around age 21, all 32 adult teeth, including wisdom teeth, should be in place.
| Upper Teeth | When tooth emerges |
| Central incisor | 7 to 8 years |
| Lateral incisor | 8 to 9 years |
| Canine (cuspid) | 11 to 12 years |
| First premolar (first bicuspid) | 10 to 11 years |
| Second premolar (second bicuspid) | 10 to 12 years |
| First molar | 6 to 7 years |
| Second molar | 12 to 13 years |
| Third molar (wisdom teeth) | 17 to 21 years |
| Lower Teeth | When tooth emerges |
| Third molar (wisdom tooth) | 17 to 21 years |
| Second molar | 11 to 13 years |
| First molar | 6 to 7 years |
| Second premolar (second bicuspid) | 11 to 12 years |
| First premolar (first bicuspid) | 10 to 12 years |
| Canine (cuspid) | 9 to 10 years |
| Lateral incisor | 7 to 8 years |
| Central incisor | 6 to 7 years |
Mixed Dentition: When Baby and Adult Teeth Overlap
Between roughly ages 6 and 12, most children go through a stage called mixed dentition, meaning baby teeth and permanent teeth are present at the same time.
During this phase, it is common to see:
- Gaps that appear and close
- Teeth erupting at different speeds
- Temporary crowding or uneven alignment
- Permanent teeth erupting before baby teeth fall out
Dentists monitor spacing and eruption patterns during this stage to identify concerns early, even if treatment is not immediately needed.
When to Start Dental Visits and Why They Are Important
At Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics, we recommend scheduling a child’s first dental visit by age one or within six months of the first tooth coming in.
Early visits allow our team to monitor tooth development, track eruption patterns, and address small concerns before they become bigger issues.
Regular dental visits also help children become comfortable in the dental setting while giving parents clear guidance on caring for their child’s changing smile.
Supporting Healthy Smiles at Every Stage
Children’s teeth change significantly as they grow, and most of these changes follow normal development patterns. Understanding what is typical at each stage helps parents monitor progress, recognize concerns early, and support long-term oral health.
If your child has not been to the dentist yet or you have questions about their dental development, the team at Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics is here to help!
Book an appointment at the location nearest you:
📍Denver Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 1400 Grove Street, Denver, CO 80204 | (303) 825-2295
📍Aurora Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 14251 E. 6th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011 | (303) 343-3133
📍Thornton Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 550 E. Thornton Parkway, Suite 240A, Thornton, CO 80229 | (303) 280-8878
📍Hampden Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 7400 East Hampden Ave. Unit C1, Denver, CO 80231 | (720) 826-3694
FAQ
When do babies usually get their first tooth?
Many babies get their first tooth around six months, but starting earlier or later can still be normal.
When should my child have all their baby teeth?
Most children have all 20 baby teeth by about age three.
When do kids start losing baby teeth?
Many children start losing baby teeth around age six, with the process continuing into the early teen years.
When do permanent molars come in?
First permanent molars often erupt around age six or seven, while second molars usually come in during the early teen years.
