Dental Milestones for Children

Did you know that there are dental milestones for your child, just like general growth milestones? As your child grows big and strong, there are many changes that will happen to their smile along the way.

Primary (Baby) Teeth

The first dental milestone occurs when your baby’s first teeth begin erupting. If you notice that they are gnawing on toys, drool more, or seem more irritable than usual, their baby teeth may be coming in causing discomfort. Your child will experience periods of teething until they have 20 baby teeth by 3 years old. Baby teeth are important because they help guide the alignment of permanent teeth. Eventually, they also allow a child to transition to solid foods and develop their speech.

Permanent (Adult) Teeth

Your child will start losing their baby teeth between ages 6 and 7. Your child’s 28 adult teeth (which is not including their wisdom teeth) should erupt by the age of 13 or 14.

Orthodontic Treatment

A big milestone for many kids and teens is orthodontic treatment. While not every child will need braces, we recommend bringing them to an orthodontist around age 7 for an orthodontic consultation. They may benefit from early treatment to guide the development of their jaw and teeth, which can promote better confidence, eating, biting, speech, breathing, and facial symmetry. There are many types of orthodontic treatments, including space maintainers, palatal expanders, traditional braces, clear aligners, ceramic braces, retainers, and more.

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that grow at the very back of the mouth. They typically start to erupt between the ages of 17 and 26 but often get stuck under the gums or grow in crooked. Many patients don’t have enough space to accommodate wisdom teeth. Problematic wisdom teeth can damage surrounding teeth and increase the risk of dental disease, so they often need to be removed.

Schedule Your Child’s Visit to Expedition Pediatric Dentistry!

At Expedition Pediatric Dentistry, we help children have positive experiences at the dentist from a young age. We are gentle and conservative with treatment, and emphasize patient education and preventive care at home. We strive to help children of all ages feel safe and comfortable during their time with us so they are more likely to maintain good oral health habits as they grow up and become more independent. If you’re looking for a dental home for your child, please contact our office to schedule a visit to Expedition Pediatric Dentistry!