How do baby teeth come in?

Most children's baby teeth — also known as primary teeth, deciduous teeth, or milk teeth — emerge in a certain order. Exactly when they'll appear can vary, but here's what you're likely to see as your child transitions from gums to 20 pearly whites. read more

After that, other teeth slowly begin to fill in, usually in pairs -- one each side of the upper or lower jaw -- until all 20 teeth (10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw) have come in by the time the child is 2 ½ to 3 years old. read more

The ADA recommends that a baby have his first dental exam at age 1, but the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that the first visit can wait until age 3, when all the baby teeth are in, as long as you practice good dental care with your child at home. read more

The following chart shows when your child's primary teeth (also called baby teeth or deciduous teeth) should erupt and shed. Eruption times vary from child to child. As seen from the chart, the first teeth begin to break through the gums at about 6 months of age. read more