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Throughout your life, you will have two sets of teeth: primary (baby) teeth and
secondary (permanent) teeth. At age 6-8 months, the primary teeth appear; all 20
are in place by age 3.
Permanent teeth will begin to grow around age 6, and except for wisdom teeth, are
all present between ages 12 and 14. The next teeth to grow in are the 12-year molars
and finally the wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth typically begin breaking through from
age 17 and on. The total number of permanent teeth is 32, though few people have
room for all 32 teeth. This is why wisdom teeth are usually removed.
Your front teeth are called incisors. The sharp “fang-like” teeth are canines. The
next side teeth are referred to as pre-molars or bicuspids, and the back teeth are
molars. Your permanent teeth are the ones you keep for life, so it is vital that
they are brushed and flossed regularly and that periodic check-ups by a dentist
are followed.
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