How Many Teeth and When?

• The first teeth are already present inside your child's jaws at birth.

• Usually by 6 months, the first tooth will appear in the mouth (Picture 1).

• Your child has 20 teeth by the time he or she is 2 1/2 to 3 years of age.

• The front teeth fall out between 6 and 7 years of age. The back teeth (those used for chewing) don't fall out until the child is 10 or 12 years of age.

• To keep the teeth healthy, it's very important to care for the baby's gums and teeth even before they appear in the mouth.