Molars in children: order of eruption

Content:

Formation of permanent bite:

1.1. How does eruption occur?

Eruption of permanent teeth in children: timing and features:

2.1. Approximate timing of bite change. 2.2. Associated symptoms.

Features of care.

Until recently, dentists, like pediatricians, were quite strict about the time frame for the eruption of molars in children. In accordance with generally accepted standards, this process begins at 6 years and ends by 12–13 years. But as clinical data accumulates, experts are increasingly inclined to believe that such terms are quite arbitrary, that is, they are observed in most children, and deviations from the norm are not always a sign of a disease or some kind of developmental disorder.

Growth pattern

At the time of birth, a child already has formed rudiments of both milk and molar teeth. The process of development of the latter, if they have no analogues among dairy products, begins when the child is about a year old.

Almost all baby teeth erupt by age 3. At the age of 6, they gradually begin to be replaced by permanent (indigenous) ones. This process usually ends by age 13. If the total number of milk teeth is 20, then the molars are 32. Permanent teeth erupt in the following sequence:

6-7 years. The appearance of central incisors from below.
7-8 years old. Change of central incisors from above and lateral incisors from below.
8-9 years old. The appearance of the lateral incisors of the upper jaw.
9-12 years old. Change of canines and premolars.
12 years and older. Change of molars and the appearance of teeth that had no analogues among milk teeth.

The period of eruption generally depends on both external and internal factors. In particular, it is influenced by complications during childbirth, the nature of the child’s nutrition, climatic conditions, genetic predisposition and much more.

Typically, by the age of 14, a child has an almost complete set of teeth. Wisdom teeth normally appear in older teenagers, but most often they appear in adults. Sometimes they don't show up at all.

Formation of permanent bite

The development of molars in children begins in the prenatal period and lasts until 18–20 years, when their structure fully corresponds to “adult” parameters. That is why their condition, as well as the exact timing of eruption, depend on many factors. This:

genetic predisposition, which is associated with metabolic characteristics;
insufficient consumption of mineral elements in food, and we are talking about the nutrition of not only the child, but also the woman during pregnancy;
fluoride deficiency in water and food;
compliance with hygiene rules;
some infectious diseases suffered by the mother (during gestation);
insufficient functional activity of the salivary glands, since saliva contains certain substances that additionally provide mineralization of enamel, etc.

How does teething occur?

With the exception of rare cases of congenital or acquired pathologies, the appearance of molars coincides with the time of loss of milk teeth. Usually, part of the permanent tooth is already visible in this place; sometimes its growth is delayed for a short time, which is also one of the normal options.

Contrary to popular belief, temporary teeth have roots, and they differ in shape and structure from permanent ones: they can be curved and “sit” quite deeply in the gums. But as the child grows up and the rudiments of the molars grow, the “temporary” roots gradually dissolve and on an x-ray they look “eaten away”, shortened.

In this case, the pulp, where the nerve endings and blood vessels are concentrated, is replaced by granular tissue, which also participates in the resorption of the “milky” root system. And if depulpation (nerve removal) was previously performed due to injury or advanced caries, this process occurs faster.

When do the first teeth appear?

Usually a baby's first baby tooth is at 6 months. Although some children have their first teeth appearing as early as 4 months of age, others have to wait as long as 7 months for their first incisors. By the way, both such an early and such a late appearance is considered the norm. At 6-8 months, the central lower incisors appear.

At 8-12 months, the central upper incisors grow;
10-13 months – second upper and lower incisors;
1-1.5 years – primary molars;
1.5-2 years – fangs;
2-2.5 years – second primary molars.

Thus, by the age of two, the baby already has 18 teeth in its mouth. But it is the first incisors that cause the baby the most inconvenience.

Eruption of permanent teeth in children: timing and features

As a rule, this process begins at 5–6 years with the first molar. Frankly speaking, a panoramic X-ray of the jaw at this age looks somewhat unusual, since three rows are clearly visible on it: the first contains the milk teeth, the second contains individual molars at various stages of development, and the third contains the molars.

In most cases, by the age of 12–13 years, the replacement of the bite from temporary to permanent ends. But at the same time, the root system is not fully formed; usually this process lasts up to 15–16 years. In addition, within three years after eruption, intensive mineralization of the enamel occurs, then its rate changes depending on the influence of both external and endogenous (internal) factors. The content of mineral components is constantly increasing (subject to proper nutrition and oral care) and is considered “mature” only by the age of 18.

Approximate timing of bite change

It is not so easy for a non-specialist to decipher the dental formula, and if the difference between, for example, incisors and canines is obvious, then it is not always possible to understand molars and premolars. Therefore, for convenience, the dentition is designated by numbers from one to eight, starting from the central incisors to the left and, accordingly, to the right.

Like baby teeth, molars in children appear symmetrically in the following sequence:

“ones” (central incisors): 6–8 years;
“twos” (lateral incisors): approximately at 7 years old on the lower jaw and at 8–9 years old on the upper jaw;
“threes” (fangs): at 10 years old from below and at 11–12 years old from above;
“fours” and “fives” (first and second premolars, respectively): 10–12 years;
“sixes” (first molars): 6–7 years, with root formation ending at best four years later;
“sevens” (second molars): 11–13 years.

Special mention should be made about the eruption of “eights,” third molars, better known as “wisdom teeth.” The timing of their appearance varies. For some it is 19–20 years old, for others much later. There are cases when “eights” are completely absent. However, in such a situation, mandatory x-rays and consultation with a dentist are recommended. Sometimes they develop incorrectly, grow inside the gums, compress adjacent tissues, which leads to significant problems with the bite and, as a result, the aesthetics of the smile.

Associated symptoms

When the bite changes, the following are observed:

Pain. Discomfort occurs as soon as a baby tooth begins to loosen. While eating, it is sometimes painful for a child to chew food, and discomfort also occurs when pressing on the gums in this area.
Swelling and swelling , redness of the gums.
Increase in body temperature up to 38–38.5°. As a rule, hyperthermia occurs during the eruption of molars.
General malaise. Often a child, especially of preschool age, cannot talk about his feelings, so deterioration in health is accompanied by moodiness, lack of appetite, irritability, and tearfulness.

Molars are being cut: symptoms

The first characteristic symptom of the beginning of the eruption of molars in a baby is that his jaw begins to increase in size. If the gaps between the baby teeth are quite small, then the body prepares to replace them with permanent ones - it creates all the necessary conditions for the growth of “adult” teeth.

The first molars announce their appearance quite seriously. This period brings the most pain to children and troubles to parents. The child sleeps poorly, becomes capricious, irritable, and may lose his appetite. Symptoms of molar teething may include a runny nose or cough, or an increase in the baby’s body temperature. According to doctors, these are not obligatory signs of eruption of molars; to a greater extent, they appear against the background of a general decrease in immunity and an increase in the vulnerability of the child’s body.

But, in any case, once the child reaches one year of age, parents should carefully monitor the child’s condition, the appearance of the symptoms described above, and act competently to relieve the baby’s unpleasant pain.

An almost obligatory sign of eruption of molars is increased salivation. At the second stage of tooth formation, this symptom is not as pronounced as the first time, but it can also cause inconvenience. By the age of 6-7 years, a child can already be taught to wipe his mouth and cheeks on his own, with a handkerchief or sterile napkins. If this is not taken care of, irritation will appear on his lips, cheeks and chin due to the increased sensitivity of the delicate baby skin (there are many different bacteria in saliva).

The eruption of molars in a child may be accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea for several days. In this case, loose stools are a consequence of an infection entering the child’s body. The reason for this is that the baby often puts dirty hands or other objects into his mouth; copious salivation contributes to this, regularly washing the intestines. Short-term diarrhea (no more than three times a day) without the admixture of blood bodies is not dangerous for the child. But a doctor’s supervision will not be superfluous, since during this period, with a weakened child’s immune system, a new infection may be added and all symptoms may worsen.

Features of care

A permanent bite requires careful care and attention. First of all, parents should teach their child the rules of hygiene:

using a toothbrush twice a day (at least 3 minutes);
if possible, rinse your mouth after eating, especially when it comes to sweets;
using dental floss to clean the interdental space.

In addition, preventive visits to the dentist are mandatory. At an early age, the enamel is more susceptible to the influence of external factors, so caries progresses quickly. The pathological process can also affect the pulp (its size in a child is larger than in an adult), which will require long-term and painful treatment.

Particular attention should be paid to a balanced diet, active recreation, and walks in the fresh air. If you live in a region where the number of sunny days per year is small, you should discuss with your pediatrician the issue of using vitamin D and preparations containing calcium.

First symptoms of teething

Many parents mistake drooling as a sure sign that their baby is teething. This is not so: at 3-4 months the salivary glands begin to work actively, but the baby does not have time to swallow saliva (the mechanism has not yet been developed). This process is not associated with tooth growth.

The only accurate first symptom of teething is redness on the gum and a white spot on it (the enamel begins to show through the thin skin). This can be quickly detected if you follow the rules of children's oral hygiene: wipe the baby's gums with a damp cloth several times a day. Also listen to the sensations during feeding: when the teeth approach the surface, they strongly compress the breast.

At the same time, the child begins to put everything in his mouth: the gums itch, preparing for teething. Due to inflammation of the gums, appetite disappears, pain in the ears and nose (these organs are closely related to the oral cavity), runny nose, and redness of the cheeks may appear.

Because of these symptoms, the baby becomes nervous: he sleeps poorly and has difficulty calming down. In the worst cases, when the inflammation is particularly severe, the temperature rises and the cheeks burn.

In this case, the situation can be alleviated by massaging the gums with Asepta finger napkins. They help disinfect the oral cavity, reduce swelling, and relieve itching in the teething area.

Please note: these symptoms are not necessary. In some cases, teething goes smoothly, calmly for the baby and parents. However, such cases are in the minority.