Primary teeth


The first teeth which are shed and replaced by permanent teeth. The first primary tooth comes in at about 6 months of age and the 20th and last primary tooth erupts at around 2 1/2 years of age. The primary teeth are replaced beginning usually at about age 6. Also called baby teeth, milk teeth, temporary teeth or deciduous teeth. (In Latin, decidere means to fall off or be shed, like leaves from a tree).

Read Also:

  • Tooth erosion

    The gradual loss of the normally hard surface of the tooth due to chemical, not bacterial, processes.

  • Tooth numbering

    (1) is the patient’s upper right molar and follows around the upper arch to the upper left third molar (16), descending to the lower left third molar (17) and follows around the lower arch to the lower right third molar (32). The Universal/National System is used primarily in the United States whereas the International Standards […]

  • Tooth root

    The lower two-thirds of a tooth. The roots are normally buried in bone, and they serve to anchor the tooth in position. The roots are covered with a thin layer of bone, and they are inserted into sockets in the bone of the jaw.

  • Tooth root sensitivities

    Oversensitivity of exposed roots of teeth to cold, hot, and sour foods because those roots are no longer protected by healthy gum and bone. Chronic gum disease contributes to toothache due to root sensitivities. The roots are the lower 2/3 of the teeth that are normally buried in bone. The bacterial toxins dissolve the bone […]

  • Tooth, cracked, syndrome

    A toothache caused by a broken tooth (tooth fracture), without associated caries (cavities) or advanced gum disease. Biting on the area of tooth fracture can cause severe, sharp pains. Tooth fractures are usually caused by chewing or biting hard objects, such as hard candies, pencils, nuts, or ice. Treatment usually involves protecting the tooth with […]


Disclaimer: Primary teeth definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.