The Life Cycle of Teeth

It’s strange to think about once having a mouth full of completely different teeth to the ones you have now. It’s important we take care of our teeth at any age, but this is especially true once you’ve got all of your adult teeth - they are the last set of (real) teeth you’ll ever have, after all!

From baby milk teeth to strong adult teeth, our teeth go through a range of different stages. Here’s a quick guide to the life cycle of human teeth from Acorn Dental Health.



First teeth

Babis’ teeth start forming as early as 3-6 weeks after conception, when small buds from the lining of the mouth grow down into the developing jaw below. However, the teeth usually don’t start to come through until the baby is around 6 months old. A lot of teething pains, crying and sleepless nights later, a child will have their full set of first teeth by around 3 years old. In children, a full set is 20 teeth.

If you’re a fairly new parent, you may be on the lookout for signs of teething. One of the main signs that your baby is getting their first teeth is chewing on fingers, toys or other objects. The pain can be distressing for your little one, whose reaction will likely be distressing for you! However, there are things you can do to try and relieve the pain, such as teething rings and soothing gels.

Adult teeth

When a child reaches around 5 or 6 years old, their milk teeth will start falling out as their adult teeth attempt to push their way through. Slowly, these permanent adult teeth grow in and take the place of their first set of teeth, usually to create a set of 28 teeth. By about 12 or 13, most kids will have lost all of their baby teeth and their mouth will be home to a full set of permanent teeth. This is a common time for children to be given braces to fix alignment issues or straighten out the teeth.

Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth will be the next ones to grow, though this can take years! Once these have come through, the full set of 32 adult teeth will be complete.

They usually begin to grow through the gums during the late teens or early twenties and, while they are usually problem-free, they can be painful, grow at an angle, or cause problems for the surrounding teeth. Some people have to undergo minor surgery to remove their wisdom teeth, if there isn’t enough room for them or if they are causing dental problems and/or significant pain.

Elderly teeth

As you get older your teeth and gums can change a lot. It’s important to continue with regular check-ups to minimise underlying oral problems and keep your teeth looking and feeling healthy. Natural teeth can become loose during old age and dentures are a great solution for many elderly individuals.

For the last 60 years, Acorn Dental Health has provided a range of professional and high-standard work, from regular check-ups and emergency dentistry to a range of dental treatments and cosmetic dentistry. No matter your age, we’re here to help you keep your teeth in the best condition possible. Contact us today.