Tell Me Why?

Children usually start loosing their baby teeth (primary teeth) anywhere between the age of 6 to 7 years where their jaws have grown to its mature size. The reason for this is that the jaw of a baby is too small to accommodate permanent teeth anywhere below this age. During this time period, the babys' tooth root begins to dissolve (the erupting permanent tooth cause the root of the baby tooth to be resorbed) resulting in the tooth to begin to get loose. The loose baby tooth (primary tooth) over time will then eventually falls out since there are less root present to secure the baby tooth as the permanent tooth pushes upward. However, as the child grows the child’s jaw and jaw muscles matures grow to the required size and strength that is needed to support permanent teeth. This set the initial stage for permanent teeth development that will continue for that child for the next 15 or 16 years (depending on when the teeth begins to get loose and fall out).

Baby teeth are responsible for providing space for the growth of permanent teeth (adult teeth) that will guide it into their proper position in the jaw. After baby tooth has fallen out, then a permanent tooth will take its place and begin to push through the baby’s gum. This process begins between the ages of 6 to 9 where the incisors and first molars start to come in. The two front teeth (central incisors) on the bottom (which are the first to fall out) as well as, the first molars at the top and lower jaw, are the first teeth to be replaced by permanent teeth. The canines (cuspids) and molars (the first and second premolars and second molars) aren’t replaced (erupt) until age 10-13. (see diagram).

Labels: Biology, Health, Science