Deciduous teeth

Deciduous teeth, also known as baby teeth, milk teeth, temporary teeth or primary teeth, are the first set of teeth in the growth development of humans and many other mammals. They develop during the embryonic stage of development and erupt—that is, they become visible in the mouth—during infancy. They are usually lost and replaced by permanent teeth, but in the absence of permanent replacements, they can remain functional for many years.

Development

Deciduous teeth start to form during the embryonic phase of development. The development of deciduous teeth starts at the sixth week of development as the dental lamina. This process starts at the midline and then spreads back into the posterior region. By the time the embryo is eight weeks old, there are ten buds on the upper and lower arches that will eventually become the deciduous teeth.

Eruption

Deciduous teeth erupt into the mouth from around six months until two years of age. These teeth are the only ones in the mouth until a person is about six years old. At that time, the first permanent tooth erupts. This period of time is known as the mixed dentition period because both deciduous and permanent teeth are in the mouth at the same time, which ends at twelve years of age when the last deciduous tooth is lost or shed.

Function

The primary functions of deciduous teeth are aiding in the chewing of food and the development of the body's speech mechanisms. They also act as a guide for the eruption pathway of the permanent teeth.

Loss

Deciduous teeth are typically lost in the same order they were gained. This process usually begins around the age of six and continues until the age of twelve. The roots of deciduous teeth are resorbed by the body, and in most cases, only the crown of the tooth is lost. The permanent tooth then erupts into the empty space, guided by the roots of the deciduous tooth.

See also

• Dental anatomy
• Tooth development
• Tooth eruption

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