Watching your child grow is filled with milestone moments, and the arrival of permanent teeth is one of these exciting transitions. Understanding when permanent teeth come in and how to care for them helps make sure that your child’s smile stays healthy and strong.
Permanent teeth usually start coming in as early as 5 years old and may continue until age 15. Wisdom teeth usually appear between ages 17 and 23. This guide provides a detailed timeline for tooth eruption, tips for parents, and how our team at Southgate Dental Centre is here to support you through every stage.
The Permanent Teeth Timeline
Permanent teeth don’t appear all at once but arrive gradually over several years. Here’s a typical timeline to help you prepare for their arrival:
Ages 5–7
The first permanent teeth to erupt are usually the first molars in all 4 corners of your mouth, often called the “six-year molars.” These appear at the back of your child’s mouth and create the foundation for their future bite.
Around the same time, you will usually notice the lower central incisors (the two front teeth on the bottom) also come in.
Ages 6–8
The upper central incisors (the two front teeth on the top) are next. Shortly after, the lateral incisors (the teeth on either side of the front teeth) follow on both the upper and lower jaw.
Ages 9–10
Around this time, your child’s lower canines (pointed teeth near the corners of the mouth). The lower canines come in much before the upper canines.
Age 10—12
At this time your child’s premolars, also called bicuspids (the teeth between the canines and molars) begin to erupt. These play an essential role in your child’s chewing mechanics.
Ages 11–13
The upper canines erupt around ages 11–13, along with the second molars at the very back of the mouth behind the first molars. These molars are not wisdom teeth and require extra care in your brushing.
Second molars (sometimes called “12-year molars”) erupt behind the first molars. By the end of this stage, most children will have their complete set of permanent teeth, except for the third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth.
Ages 17–21
While not everyone develops wisdom teeth, which are your third molars, when they do come in, they often surface between these ages. If your child’s mouth doesn’t have enough room, wisdom teeth may need to be removed to avoid alignment or crowding issues. The other reason to remove wisdom teeth is they may not come all the way in and are impossible to keep clean.
Every child is different, so these ages may vary slightly. Your dentist at Southgate Dental Centre can help track your child’s progress and address any concerns.
Tips for Parents During The Mixed Dentition Phase
Permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, so encouraging healthy habits early on is crucial. It’s also important to remember to keep brushing and maintaining the baby teeth, as they act like place holds before the adult tooth is ready to erupt. Here are some tips to help care for those brand-new pearly whites:
Teach Proper Brushing & Flossing Techniques
Once permanent teeth start coming in, it’s time to make sure that your child brushes for two minutes, twice a day. A soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste are recommended to protect tooth enamel. You can also introduce flossing to reach the spaces between teeth and help prevent cavities, as adult teeth are typically much closer together than baby teeth.
Monitor for Crowding or Misalignment
As permanent teeth emerge, you may notice crowding, overlapping, or gaps. These are common concerns that a dentist can address through orthodontic treatments like space maintainers, orthodontic appliances, or when you get older, braces or Invisalign.
Encourage a Healthy Diet
Sugary snacks and drinks can lead to tooth decay. Encourage your child to eat tooth-friendly foods, like crunchy fruits and vegetables, calcium-rich dairy products, and foods high in phosphorus.
Schedule Regular Dental Exams
Even as permanent teeth come in, routine dental visits are vital. Your dentist can monitor your child’s oral development, ensure proper tooth alignment, and provide preventive care like fluoride treatments or sealants to protect against cavities. Sealants are especially ideal for first and second molars.
The Role of Dental Care During Tooth Eruption
Caring for your child’s teeth isn’t just about avoiding cavities—it’s about ensuring proper development and establishing lifelong habits for dental health. Southgate Dental Centre is here to support your family during this important stage of growth.
Our routine dental exams and cleanings are designed to feel comfortable and stress-free, so even younger patients can feel at ease. We work with parents and children to make each visit a positive experience. After all, developing trust at an early age can significantly impact how your child views dental care for the rest of their life.
Spotting Potential Issues Early
During regular exams, our dental team can check for signs of early concerns, like early loss of baby teeth, poor angulation of adult teeth coming in, crowding, spacing, or improper jaw alignment. Finding these concerns early on means easier, more effective treatments later.
Orthodontic Guidance
If you wonder whether your child might need braces or other orthodontic care, we can provide a thorough assessment and explanation of your options. We can even refer you to an orthodontist for an early evaluation so that you’re not waiting until all the teeth are in and all the problems are more significant. Our goal is to ensure a healthy, nice, and confident smile.
Why Choose Southgate Dental Centre?
We understand that visiting the dentist can sometimes feel overwhelming for children. That’s why Southgate Dental Centre strives to make every visit as welcoming as possible. With a children’s playroom, ceiling-mounted TVs, and gentle care from our compassionate team, we create a relaxed environment that helps kids feel at ease.
Parents will appreciate our focus on convenience. We offer evening and weekend hours, free parking, and a central location at Southgate Centre. Whether you’re coming in for a routine cleaning, a dental consultation, or orthodontics, you’ll find our approach is designed to fit into your busy lifestyle.
Southgate Dental Centre also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, ensuring families receive high-quality care without unexpected costs.
Set Your Child up for a Lifelong Smile
Caring for your child’s permanent teeth starts with understanding when they’ll arrive. From teaching healthy habits to scheduling regular dental exams, there’s a lot you can do to protect their smile, such as fabricating a custom dental mouth guard to be worn during contact sports.
At Southgate Dental Centre, our team is here to support you and your child every step of the way.
Schedule your child’s next dental appointment today and discover how we make dental care warm, welcoming, and easy for families. Together, we can ensure your child’s smile shines bright for years to come!
