[Health Column] Why Parents Can Rest assured even if their child's permanent teeth erupt later than peers

 

hello, Lee Hyun-seop, Chief Director of Seoul Centum Dental Clinic no see.

 

When I meet parents in the clinic, they often ask a lot of questions and express a great deal of worry regarding the timing of their child's tooth replacement.

 

There are many cases where parents are surprised and ask, "Doctor, my child hasn't gotten permanent teeth yet compared to their friends; is that okay?" or "A new tooth is coming in from the inside even though their baby teeth haven't fallen out yet!"

 

Since the rate of tooth growth varies greatly from child to child, there is absolutely no need to feel anxious by comparing them to their peers.

 

Today, to ease your parents' worries, I will explain in an easy-to-understand way the timing of permanent teeth, the order of molar eruption, and the moments when a dental check-up is absolutely necessary.

 

1️⃣ When do permanent teeth start to come in?

🦷 Around the age of 6, the 'first permanent tooth' that will be used for a lifetime comes in from the very back of the deciduous molars.

Many parents believe that permanent teeth only grow in the places where baby teeth have fallen out.

 

However, the first permanent teeth to emerge follow a slightly special path. Usually, around the age of six, new molars begin to erupt in the space furthest back from the existing primary molars.

 

In medical terms, this tooth is the first molar, commonly 6-year-old molar It is a very important tooth that you must keep for a lifetime, called [this].

 

After this first molar erupts, tooth replacement generally proceeds gradually in the order of lower incisors → upper incisors → canines → premolars.

 

 

⚠️ The tooth parents surprisingly miss the most!

 

Parents often fail to notice because the 6-year-old molars erupt by breaking through the innermost gums where there was nothing, rather than filling the space where the baby teeth fell out. They may say, "Not a single baby tooth has fallen out yet," but upon actually looking inside the mouth, there are numerous cases where permanent molars are already coming in.

Children at this age are clumsy at brushing their teeth, and because the innermost spaces are difficult to reach, they are at a very high risk of developing cavities early on, so special observation is required.

 

 

 

2️⃣ What if your child's permanent teeth seem to be coming in later than their peers?

🦷 While individual differences may exist due to growth rate or genetic influences, we recommend a checkup if you meet the criteria on the checklist below.

This is the most frequently asked question in the consultation room, but just because permanent teeth erupt a little late does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the teeth.

 

This is because the growth rate varies from child to child depending on their constitution, nutritional status, genetic factors, and so on.

 

However, since permanent teeth may deviate in direction or be obstructed during the eruption process, it is recommended to visit a dentist and have an X-ray checked if any of the following five situations apply.

 

 

📌 5 Checklist Items That Make a Dental Checkup Essential

 

✔️ Cases where a permanent tooth pops up from the side even though the baby tooth hasn't even loosened yet
✔️ Cases where the timing of tooth replacement is significantly delayed compared to peers of the same age
✔️ Cases where permanent teeth erupt crookedly instead of straight
✔️ Cases where permanent teeth are not visible even though a considerable amount of time has passed since the baby teeth fell out
✔️ Cases where new teeth erupt while severely overlapping each other

 

 

 

3️⃣ Since baby teeth will fall out eventually, is it okay to take care of them carelessly?

🦷 No! Primary teeth are a 'precious guide' that helps permanent teeth find their way into the correct place.

Occasionally, there are people who take it lightly, saying, "It will fall out and new teeth will grow in anyway, so what if I have a few cavities?"

 

However, the role of baby teeth is not limited to simply chewing food.

 

Primary teeth serve as crucial milestones that maintain and guide the space for permanent teeth to grow and erupt within the gums.

 

What happens if a baby tooth is extracted too early due to severe cavities or sudden trauma?

 

As the surrounding teeth shift and fall into the empty space, the area where the permanent teeth will later grow becomes buried.

 

Ultimately, due to lack of space snaggletooth or the overall Dental misalignment , even malocclusion The probability of it leading to becomes very high.

 

Therefore, primary teeth should be cared for just as carefully as permanent teeth.

 

 

4️⃣ What surprising symptoms can occur during the tooth exchange period?

🦷 this Middle teeth, gaps between front teeth, and gum pain are normal or temporary phenomena commonly observed during this period.

There are three typical situations where parents are shocked and rush to the dentist during their child's tooth change.

 

 

🔸 The new tooth comes up first from the back (double tooth)

It is a phenomenon where permanent teeth emerge from behind the gums before the lower baby teeth have even fully fallen out.

 

This is called a 'double tooth,' and it is a very common sight during tooth replacement, so you don't need to be too surprised.

 

 

🔸 There is a wide gap between my new front teeth.

When the first permanent front teeth erupt, they sometimes grow spread apart. In many cases, this improves as the adjacent canine teeth erupt and push against the gap, causing it to close naturally.

 

 

🔸 My child says their gums are swollen and painful.

As large permanent teeth erupt through the hard gums, you may temporarily experience redness or pain in the gums.

 

However, if the intensity of this pain is too severe or persists for several days, you should get checked for internal inflammation.

 

 

5️⃣ When is the golden period when parents need to pay the most careful attention?

🦷 The 'mixed dentition stage,' from around age 6 to the upper grades of elementary school, is the most important time to lay the foundation for lifelong dental health.

Speaking from my personal opinion as a specialist, I consider the period from around age 6 to the upper grades of elementary school to be the critical "golden time" for children's dental care. During this period, you must build the foundational strength for oral hygiene that will last a lifetime.

 

 

✨ 4 Oral Routines Parents Should Guide Together

Children, in particular, often believe they are brushing their teeth perfectly on their own, but due to their structure, the new permanent molars located at the very back are frequently neglected because they cannot be properly reached by a toothbrush.

 

Therefore, we strongly recommend that, at least until the elementary school years, parents shine a light on the teeth after the child finishes brushing to personally check and clean the innermost parts one more time.

 

 

💬 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

 

Q1. A permanent tooth is just coming up in the space behind my baby tooth. Is this normal?

A1. Yes, it is a perfectly natural phenomenon! The new tooth that emerges at the very back of the primary molars around the age of 6 is not the spot where the primary tooth fell out, but the 'first molar' (6-year molar), a permanent tooth that you will need for a lifetime. Since this is a normal process of new teeth erupting without any loss of primary teeth, you do not need to worry.

 

Q2. My child's newly erupted front teeth are growing too far apart. Should orthodontic treatment be started immediately?

A2. It is more common than you might think for the front teeth to erupt with a gap between them during the tooth exchange period. In many cases, the gap improves as the canines on either side eventually penetrate the gums and descend properly, naturally pushing the space between the front teeth together. We recommend waiting and monitoring the eruption pattern through regular checkups.

 

🎯 Conclusion

There is no absolute right answer or fixed schedule for when your child's permanent teeth are growing in.

 

Just as the opening of growth plates and the rate of growth vary from child to child, the timing of tooth replacement also exhibits natural individual differences, with teeth potentially growing slightly earlier or later. What is important is not 'how much faster or slower' the growth is compared to average figures, but rather ensuring that the teeth are growing healthily in the right direction without interference.

 

By consistently undergoing regular oral examinations and X-rays, you can detect potential skeletal problems, such as crowded teeth or severe malocclusion, at an early stage, which can consequently significantly reduce unnecessary and complex orthodontic treatment processes in the future.

 

Instead of feeling upset or worried alone about your child's teeth coming in late, we recommend visiting a dental clinic with a relaxed mind to see your child's current growth stage with your own eyes through a thorough examination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seoul Centum Dental Clinic
Chief Director Lee Hyun-seop

Specialist in Integrated Dentistry
Graduated from Korea University
Master of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University College of Dentistry
Regular member of the Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Implantology
Regular member of the Korean Endodontic Society
Regular member of the Korean Academy of Integrated Dentistry
Member of the American Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry (AACD)
Member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)
Full member of the International Congress of Implantologists (ICOI)
Experience in placing over 17,000 implants
Possesses extensive overseas experience visiting over 10 countries
Experience with numerous complex implant cases

 

 

 

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