• The first stage begins in the unborn baby at about 6 weeks of pregnancy (gestation). This is when the basic substance of the tooth forms.
• Next, the hard tissue that surrounds the teeth is formed around 3 to 4 months of gestation.
• After the child is born, the next stage occurs when the tooth actually sticks out (protrudes) through the gum.
• Finally, the child loses the primary or baby teeth.
Parts of the tooth
• Each tooth has 4 main parts, including:
• Enamel. The outer layer of the tooth and the hardest material in the body.
• Dentin. The inner layer and the main part of the tooth, and the largest dental tissue.
• Pulp. Soft tissue on the inside of the tooth that contains the nerve, blood supply, and the ability to produce dentin.
• Root. The part of the tooth that secures it into the jaw.
When will my child's teeth come in?
• Every child is different. But the baby or primary teeth begin to come in (erupt) between the ages of 6 and 12 months. Most of the primary teeth will come in by 33 months. Girls tend to have their teeth come in before boys. The following are general guidelines for the eruption of the baby teeth:
• The first tooth to come in is usually a middle front tooth on the lower jaw. This is called the central incisor. This is followed by the second central incisor on the lower jaw.
• Next, the 4 upper incisors usually come in.
• This is followed by the first 4 molars, and the remaining bottom 2 lateral incisors. Lateral incisors are beside (lateral to) the central incisors. Next, the 4 first molars come in.
• Then the cuspids, or the pointed teeth, appear.
• Often, after the child reaches 2 years old, the 4 second molars (the last of the baby teeth) appear.