Throughout your life, you will have two sets of teeth: primary (baby) teeth and secondary (permanent) teeth. The primary teeth appear around ages 6-8 months, and all 20 are in place by age 3.
Permanent teeth will begin to grow around age 6, and with the exception of wisdom teeth, are all present between ages 12 and 14 (the last primary teeth exfoliate at this stage) . Wisdom teeth typically begin breaking through from age 17 and on. The total number of permanent teeth is 32, though few people have room for all 32 teeth, which is why wisdom teeth are usually removed.
Importance of Baby Teeth
Strong healthy primary (baby) teeth help your child chew food, speak clearly, give his/her face proper shape and guide the proper eruption of permanent teeth. The Center for Disease Control reports that caries (cavities) is the most prevalent infectious disease in children. Dental caries us 5 times more common that asthma. Decay of primary teeth can affect growth, lead to malocclusions, and cause pain, infection, and/or damage to the underlying tooth. It is important that these teeth stay healthy and present until naturally lost.