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Definition

noun, plural: baby teeth

Any of the first teeth in many young mammals and humans.

Supplement

This first set of teeth develops during the embryonic stage. These teeth are sometimes referred to as baby teeth or milk teeth since they erupt during infancy. In humans, the twenty primary teeth emerge in the mouth typically as follows:

• 4 Central incisors - 6-12 months
• 4 Lateral incisors - 9-16 months
• 4 Cuspids - 16-23 months
• 4 First molars - 13-19 months
• 4 Second molars - 22-33 months

These teeth are eventually replaced by permanent teeth by age of six.

Synonyms:

• deciduous tooth
• primary tooth
• temporary tooth
• milk tooth

Compare: permanent tooth
See also: primary dentition, natal tooth, neonatal tooth