Milk teeth

Milk teeth, also known as deciduous teeth, baby teeth, temporary teeth and 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

Milk teeth start to form during the embryo stage of human development. The development of deciduous teeth starts at the fetal age of six weeks. At this stage, the dental lamina is formed within the developing jaw, which eventually forms the basis for the development of tooth buds. By the time the fetus is eight weeks old, ten buds are present in both the upper and lower jaws which will eventually become the milk teeth.

Eruption

The process of shedding milk teeth and their replacement by permanent teeth is known as tooth eruption. The first milk teeth to erupt are the two bottom front teeth, also known as incisors. This usually occurs at the age of six to eight months. The last milk teeth to erupt are the molars, which usually appear by the age of two and a half years.

Function

Milk teeth serve as guides for the eruption of the permanent teeth. They maintain the arch length within the jaw, the relationship with the adjacent teeth and the relationship with the opposing teeth. They are essential for development of the jaws and for guiding the permanent teeth to their correct position. They also aid in the development of normal speech and mastication of food.

Loss

Milk teeth usually start to shed at the age of six years. The root of a milk tooth is reabsorbed by the body to make way for the permanent tooth, which pushes through the gums as the milk tooth falls out. The process of shedding milk teeth and their replacement by permanent teeth is known as exfoliation.

See also

• Dentition
• Tooth development
• Tooth eruption
• Permanent teeth

Milk teeth Resources
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