Deciduous Teeth

Deciduous teeth — also called primary, milk, or baby teeth — begin erupting around six months of age and are usually all in place by age three. There are 20 in total: eight incisors, four canines, and eight molars. They serve as space-holders for the permanent teeth developing beneath them and are essential for chewing, speech development, and facial growth. Although they will be lost naturally, decay in deciduous teeth still requires treatment to prevent pain, infection, and damage to the underlying permanent teeth. The shedding process typically runs from age six to twelve.