2nd teeth -how many should a 10 yr old have ?

[MerryAnnSinglemas]

Ds hasn't lost any teeth for ages and I really can't figure out which are due to fall out next - he says it feels as though some new teeth are pushing through from behind baby teeth - can't really see properly - any ideas ?

My 10 year old has about 6 2nd ones? One firts one fell out over a year ago and there is still no sign of the 2nd one yet.

mainly in the front,Tinker ? ie. no molars yet ?

Yes, just incisors I think. But I'm not sure now, I must have played tooth fairy more than 6 times. 8 times?

I feel terrible because I can't remember !

She's not here atm otherwise I'd check physically. She doesn't look like this ---> very much

mmm, we're due at the dentist in a month of so, so will ask then - wasn't sure whether to go earlier to see if all is going ok

A 10 year old will also have their first permanent molars (I think it would be quite unusual not to by 10). These are often not noticed as they don't replace any milk teeth just come up further round in the corners.

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According to thesetooth eruption charts...

The front 8 incissors typically come through between 6 & 9 years. The first molars should arrive at 6-7 years.

A 10 year old might also have a few more (lower canines and first premolars and upper premolars) but not necessarily.

dd (10) has just lost first molar

DD1 (10) has lost all her first teeth and most second teeth are in. She also has some extra molars at the back which are probably the ones your DS can feel. I think she has lost all her first teeth unusually early.

he says he can feel it behind his lower canine - they look as though they are shifting around and trying to find space (ie slightly wonky on lower jaw). That's interesting to know that second molars might just come up without displacing milk teeth. None of these have come out yet.
Should I pop him by the dentist before Jan/Feb for reassurance or let it wait until check up then ? wanted to reassure ds mainly so he doesn't keep asking me if his teeth are ok (he is always showing me invisible splinters that he thinks he has in his feet or fingers - slightly neurotic about his health - him, not me !)

MerryAnn it sounds as though there is some movement of either the lower first premolar or lower canines which is about right for his age. Unless he's in pain or the teeth start moving around a lot I would think a Jan/Feb dentist visit would be fine. You may find the milk teeth above start to wobble loose soon too, but if the new teeth underneath start coming though out of place then I would see the dentist sooner - sometimes he needs to 'pull' the milk tooth to get the new one to come up in the right place.

On the first permanent molars count back how many teeth there are behind the canines (on each side, top and bottom) - there will usually be 3 - the first two are the baby molars which will eventually be replaced by permanent premolars but the third, right at the back is a permanent tooth the first molar. These teeth are quite prone to decay as they're hard to reach, come in quite early and people don't realise they are permanent teeth.

thank you snorkle - he says it feel uncomfortable sometimes - I think he's just aware of things happening in his jaw - not in pain though. We might pass the dentists after school today and if ds feels he might feel better and not worry, we could nip in and see if he can be seen sooner (though suppose it'll be busy before Christmas)

Dentists are always busy, so, if he's stressed, drop in anyway. The last thing you want is to spend all xmas worrying and it should be really quick for them to take a peek.

thanks again (are you a dentist ?) -will suggest it to him and see what he thinks. I dread him having any dental intervention as he is very nervous ( blood tests an absolute nightmare) but he seemed to think he might like to go when I mentioned it as a possibility yesterday. He has lovely straight top teeth and I was just worrying that the bottom set might grow crookedly -but it may be that they're just shuffling around making space for new ones.

My 9 year old has only lost three baby teeth. His second teeth got fed up waiting and pushed up behind! They moved into position once the milk teeth fell out.
I reckon ds1 with have gappy teeth when he's in his 20's the rate his teeth are falling out

No I'm not a dentist. Maybe I should have been - teeth interest me ! Ds wants to be a dentist from time to time so perhaps it's hereditary. Please don't treat anything I say as authoritative, it's just what I think.

well you sound as though you know what you're talking about snorkle ! We did call in at the dentist and ds will go on 20th for a check up, so that should sort it for him !
Thanks again