When Do Teeth Stop Growing? Child and Adult Timelines | Corve Dental Ludlow
Simple guide to baby teeth, adult teeth, and when growth slows or stops. See clear eruption and shedding timelines, wisdom teeth info, and care tips for each age.
When Do Teeth Stop Growing? Child and Adult Timelines
Teeth grow in stages. Baby teeth arrive first. Adult teeth follow. Growth slows with age and then stops. This guide shows simple timelines for children and adults and what to expect at each step. If anything feels late or early we are here to help with kind checks and clear advice.
Baby teeth are also called primary teeth or milk teeth. Most children have 20 baby teeth. Order can vary a little and that is normal.
Typical baby teeth eruption
Tooth group
Lower jaw
Upper jaw
Central incisors
6 to 10 months
8 to 12 months
Lateral incisors
10 to 16 months
9 to 13 months
Canines
17 to 23 months
16 to 22 months
First molars
14 to 18 months
13 to 19 months
Second molars
23 to 31 months
25 to 33 months
Teething can make gums sore and cheeks flushed. Cool teething rings and gentle wiping help. If fever or rash appears please seek advice.
Mixed dentition timeline
Mixed dentition means baby and adult teeth are present at the same time. This is when the smile changes quickly.
Typical shedding and adult eruption
Stage
Typical age
Notes
First adult molars appear
6 to 7 years
Arrive behind baby molars without replacing any tooth
Front incisors replace baby incisors
6 to 8 years
Gaps can be normal while canines are still inside the gum
Premolars replace baby molars
9 to 12 years
Space opens as roots of baby molars dissolve
Canines erupt
10 to 12 years
Often last at the front. Watch for crowding
Second adult molars appear
11 to 13 years
Sit behind the first adult molars
If teeth are very slow to appear or baby teeth do not loosen we can check with a simple scan and guide the next step.
Adult teeth growth and movement
Root formation
After an adult tooth appears the root keeps forming for about 2 to 3 years. Once roots are mature growth stops.
Natural drift
Teeth can still shift slowly over years due to crowding, gum changes, or habits. This is movement not growth.
Bite changes
Grinding, missing teeth, or gum issues can change tooth positions. Early checks protect the smile.
Wisdom teeth timelines
Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the back. Some people have all four. Some have fewer. Some have none. They can appear from 17 to 25 years or stay inside the bone.
Regular checks from the teens help us see if room is tight.
We use photos and small X rays to watch their path.
If they cause pain or trap food we will plan gentle care. Sometimes removal is advised.
Smiles matter for confidence, connection, and being yourself. At our Dental Practice in the heart of Ludlow, we help people of all ages feel proud to smile again!