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 at which time we should begin daily cleansing. It is vital to care for primary teeth early on so establish an oral hygiene routine and set the stage for the permanent teeth to erupt into a healthy environment.
Permanent teeth will begin to grow around age 6, and with the exception of wisdom teeth, are all present between ages 12 and 14. The next teeth to grow in are the wisdom teeth and 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.Which 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.