What Are Baby Teeth
Baby teeth — also called primary teeth or milk teeth — are the first set of teeth a child develops. They begin forming before birth and typically start coming through the gums around 6 months of age, though the exact timing varies from child to child. Despite being temporary, baby teeth do real work: they help a child eat, speak, and smile for years before the permanent set takes over.
How Many Baby Teeth Do Children Have
Children have 20 baby teeth in total — 10 on the top arch and 10 on the bottom — compared with 32 permanent teeth in adulthood. Most children have their full set of baby teeth by around age 3. Baby teeth then begin falling out around age 6 in roughly the same order they came in, continuing until about age 12. For the detailed month-by-month eruption and shedding timeline, see our full guide to tooth eruption in children.
Why Baby Teeth Matter
It's a common misconception that baby teeth don't matter much since they eventually fall out. In reality, they play several important roles. They allow a child to chew food properly and get adequate nutrition. They support clear speech and pronunciation. They hold the correct amount of space in the jaw for the permanent teeth developing underneath, effectively guiding those adult teeth into their proper position. They also contribute to a child's facial structure and confidence in their smile.
What Happens If Baby Teeth Are Lost Early
When a baby tooth is lost prematurely — most often due to untreated decay or injury — nearby teeth can drift into the empty space. This can leave too little room for the permanent tooth to erupt correctly, which may lead to crowding, misalignment, or a permanent tooth becoming impacted. This is why dentists often recommend restoring a decayed baby tooth rather than simply extracting it, and why a space maintainer may be recommended when early loss can't be avoided.
Caring for Baby Teeth
Good care starts as soon as the first tooth appears. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first dental visit within six months of their first tooth erupting, and no later than their first birthday. From there, twice-daily brushing with an age-appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste, limiting sugary foods and prolonged bottle or sippy-cup use, and regular checkups all help protect baby teeth from cavities and the developmental problems early tooth loss can cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Untreated decay in a baby tooth can still cause pain and infection, and can spread to neighboring teeth or affect the permanent tooth developing underneath. Restoring the tooth also preserves the space needed for the permanent tooth to erupt correctly, which is why dentists generally recommend treating decay rather than waiting for the tooth to fall out naturally.
Most children lose their first baby tooth around age 6, usually starting with the lower front teeth, and the process continues in stages until around age 12, when the last baby teeth are replaced by permanent ones.
Yes. Our Specialist Pediatric Dentist team assesses baby teeth for decay, spacing, and developmental concerns, and guides parents through care at every stage.
A Specialist Pediatric Dentist is trained specifically in the needs of growing children, from first visits through the transition to permanent teeth, and is best placed to catch issues early.
Call us at 04 394 7777 and we will be more than happy to check your coverage for you. For more information, visit our Insurance & Payment Options page.
- American Dental Association. "Primary Tooth Development." ADA, 2012. adafoundation.org
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. "Management of the Developing Dentition and Occlusion in Pediatric Dentistry." AAPD, 2024. aapd.org
