Teeth 101

Know Your Child’s Teeth

Roll your cursor over the teeth below to view their names and the average age at which they erupt and are shed or fall out (for primary teeth).

Age: 6-10 months

Primary lower central incisors erupt.

Age: 8-12 months

Primary upper central incisors erupt.

Age: 9-16 months

Primary upper & lower lateral incisors erupt.

Age: 13-19 months

First molars erupt. The upper molars generally erupt before the lower molars. Average age of shed: 9-11 years.

Age: 16-23 months

Canines erupt. The upper canines generally erupt before the lower canines. Average age of shed: 9-12 years.

Age: 23-33 months

Second molars erupt. Generally the lower molars erupt first, followed by the upper molars. Average age of shed: 10-12 years.

Age: 6-7 years

The primary upper and lower central incisors are shed, and the permanent upper and lower first molars and lower central incisors erupt.

Age: 7-8 years

The primary upper and lower lateral incisors are shed, and the permanent upper central incisors and lower lateral incisors erupt.

Age: 8-9 years

The permanent upper lateral incisors erupt and the primary upper first molars are shed.

Age: 9-10 years

The primary upper and lower canines and the lower first molars are shed, and the permanent lower canines erupt.

Age: 10-12 years

The primary upper and lower 2nd molars are shed, and the permanent upper canines erupt, as well as upper and lower first and second premolars.

Age: 11-13 years

The permanent upper and lower 2nd molars erupt.

Age: 17-21 years

The upper and lower 3rd molars (or wisdom teeth) erupt.

Anatomy of a Tooth

Roll your cursor over the terms below to view the descriptions of the parts of your tooth. For a print-friendly version of this diagram and the terms, use the Print button in the lower right corner.

How to Brush Your Teeth

Kids (and parents too!) should brush their teeth thoroughly at least twice a day to remove plaque and to prevent tooth decay. Follow the steps below for proper brushing. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Henderson or a Growing Smiles team member.

Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gum.
Brush gently in a circular motion.
Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.

Dr. Henderson recommends the use of electric tooth brushes such as the Vitality or the Triumph . Growing Smiles offers both for sale in the office. Ask us the next time you come by!

Special Brushing Concerns for Children Under 6

Children should brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes in duration. This helps to remove plaque. For parents with children under the age of six, parents should assist in the process to ensure a complete cleaning. Dr. Henderson will discuss any concerns she has regarding your child’s hygiene at the initial visit and at every 6 month cleaning. Click here to schedule.

To make the brushing process fun for your child, click here to download a Brushing Calendar. Have your child use it twice a day, everyday and bring it by Growing Smiles for a special prize!

Try having your child lie down. Put your child on your lap or on the floor, keeping his/her head steady with your legs. If your child is standing, have his/her back to you with their head tilted slightly and resting against your body. Have your child hold a mirror while you brush and floss their teeth so your child can see what is being done.

Special Brushing Concerns for Infants

Dr. Henderson recognizes that it is important for parents with infants to start brushing the teeth and gums weeks before the first tooth erupts. Cavities in baby teeth are the result of a chronic infection in the mouth. This infection can be transferred by parents to their children. The good news is that this infection can be controlled.

Cavity causing bacteria live in plaque around the teeth. Once the bacteria become established in the baby's mouth, they become difficult to remove. In fact, most children with early childhood tooth decay transfer this infection to their permanent teeth.

For infants, lay the child in your lap and use a soft, moist washcloth or Spiffies and brush the gums and teeth.

How to Floss Your Child’s Teeth

You should floss your child’s teeth thoroughly at least once a day to remove plaque from the areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. Follow the steps below for proper flossing, and contact Dr. Henderson if you have any questions.

Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and as the floss is used, the other finger takes it up. For a younger child, lay them in your lap in a reclined position with their head toward your stomach.

Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your child’s teeth.

Holding the floss tightly, gently saw the floss between your child’s teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your child’s gums.

Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.