Having baby teeth at 16 years old is not normal. By the age of 12-13, most children have lost all of their baby teeth and have a full set of permanent adult teeth.
When do children start losing baby teeth?
Children typically begin losing their baby teeth around age 6. The first teeth to fall out are usually the lower central incisors. This is then followed by the upper central incisors. The process of losing baby teeth and having permanent teeth grow in is known as tooth eruption.
Here is the typical order in which baby teeth fall out:
- Lower central incisors (bottom front teeth) – around age 6-7
- Upper central incisors (top front teeth) – around age 7-8
- Lower and upper lateral incisors (teeth adjacent to the central incisors) – around age 8-9
- First molars – around age 9-11
- Canines (eye teeth) – around age 10-12
- Second molars – around age 10-13
The age range can vary by 2-3 years depending on the child. But by age 12-13, all baby teeth should have fallen out.
When do permanent teeth start coming in?
As baby teeth are lost, permanent teeth begin to erupt and take their place in the mouth. The timing of permanent teeth coming in is closely coordinated with the shedding of baby teeth:
- First molars – around age 6-7
- Lower central incisors – around age 6-7
- Upper central incisors – around age 7-8
- Lower and upper lateral incisors – around age 8-9
- Canines – around age 11-12
- Premolars – around age 10-12
- Second molars – around age 11-13
- Third molars (wisdom teeth) – around age 17-21
The third molars or wisdom teeth are the last set of permanent teeth to erupt. But by age 12-13, all baby teeth should be replaced by permanent teeth except for the third molars.
Why is it abnormal to have baby teeth at age 16?
Having primary (baby) teeth present at age 16 is not normal for a few key reasons:
- The natural tooth eruption process should be complete by the early teen years. Primary teeth are meant to exfoliate and be replaced by permanent teeth.
- Keeping baby teeth too long can cause crowding issues and misalignment as the permanent teeth come in.
- Retained baby teeth prevent the permanent teeth from erupting properly into the mouth.
- Primary teeth have smaller roots compared to permanent teeth and are at higher risk of being lost prematurely.
- Baby teeth maintain the jaw spacing until the larger permanent teeth develop. After puberty, the primary teeth are no longer serving their purpose.
- Dental extraction is often needed to remove over-retained baby teeth and allow proper permanent tooth eruption.
Some reasons why baby teeth may be retained abnormally past age 12-13 include:
- Impaction – permanent teeth are blocked from erupting
- Congenitally missing teeth – permanent teeth never developed
- Prolonged thumb sucking – can prevent teeth from descending
- Crowding – lack of space forces teeth to remain unerupted
- Previous injury or trauma to the mouth/jaw
- Genetic factors affecting tooth development
But in most cases, there is no clear cause for over-retained baby teeth. Consulting a dentist for proper evaluation and x-rays is recommended whenever primary teeth remain past the expected exfoliation time.
Complications of retained primary teeth
Allowing baby teeth to remain in the mouth too long can lead to a number of problems, including:
- Malocclusion – Poor tooth alignment and occlusal disharmony between upper and lower teeth.
- Crowding – Primary teeth take up needed space for permanent teeth leading to crowding.
- Tooth impaction – Increased risk of permanent teeth not erupting properly.
- Tooth loss – Smaller baby tooth roots are prone to becoming loose prematurely.
- Gum disease – Gum inflammation and bone loss is more likely around fragile primary teeth.
- Cavities – The enamel on primary teeth tends to erode faster increasing decay risk.
- Speech issues – Missing permanent teeth can affect pronunciation and speech development.
- Chewing difficulty – Lack of fully erupted permanent molars hinders chewing capacity.
Catching and treating retained primary teeth early is important to allow proper permanent tooth eruption and healthy long-term dental function.
When to see a dentist
A child should be evaluated by a pediatric dentist if they have any baby teeth remaining past age 12-13. An exception is wisdom teeth, which are normally the last to emerge around late adolescence to early 20s.
Seeing a dentist is also recommended if a child has:
- Primary teeth that are loose, chipped, or damaged
- Permanent teeth coming in very crooked
- Difficulty biting, chewing, or eating
- Jaw pain, swelling, or sensitivity
- Ongoing orthodontic treatment
A dental exam can identify any retained primary teeth and determine the best treatment approach. Common treatment options include:
- Monitoring – Allowing more time for a stubborn primary tooth to exfoliate on its own.
- Extraction – Surgical removal of the retained primary tooth to guide the permanent tooth into place.
- Space maintainers – Appliance worn to hold space needed for permanent teeth.
- Dental sealants & fluoride – Protecting primary molars from cavities while they remain.
With early intervention, complications from over-retained primary teeth can often be minimized or avoided altogether.
Expected teething timeline
As a general guideline, here is an overview of the primary and permanent teething timeline:
| Age Range | Primary (Baby) Teeth | Permanent Teeth |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 months | None | None |
| 3-6 months | Lower central incisors erupt | None |
| 6-12 months | Upper central incisors erupt | First molars and lower central incisors erupt |
| 1-2 years | Lateral incisors and first molars erupt | Upper central incisors erupt |
| 2-3 years | Canines erupt | Lateral incisors erupt |
| 6-7 years | Lower central incisors exfoliate | First molars fully erupt |
| 7-8 years | Upper central incisors exfoliate | Lower central incisors erupt |
| 8-12 years | Remaining primary teeth exfoliate | Canines, premolars, and upper central incisors erupt |
| 12-14 years | All primary teeth should be lost | Second molars erupt |
| 17-21 years | None | Third molars (wisdom teeth) erupt |
Again, the eruption timeline varies by child. But this gives a general overview of the tooth eruption process from birth through the teenage years.
Importance of baby teeth
Baby teeth play an important role in dental development and should not be overlooked. Primary teeth:
- Allow infants and toddlers to bite, chew and eat solid foods
- Promote correct jaw and mouth positioning
- Maintain needed spacing for permanent teeth
- Aid in speech development
- Restore chewing function in young children
- Exfoliate on nature’s ideal schedule to make room for permanent teeth
Even though they are temporary, primary teeth allow for proper nutrition, facial growth, pronunciation, and future permanent tooth alignment. Premature loss of primary teeth should be avoided.
Caring for primary teeth
Proper care of baby teeth includes:
- Brushing twice daily using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing once a day
- Avoiding excess sugar and frequent snacking/sipping
- Fluoride varnish and dental sealants as recommended
- Regular dental checkups every 6 months
- Prompt treatment of any cavities or toothaches
- Protecting teeth from injuries
Parents should monitor the tooth eruption process in their kids and ask the pediatrician or dentist if any teeth seem to be emerging late or appearing unusually crooked. Proper baby tooth care promotes healthy permanent teeth later on.
Conclusion
The presence of primary teeth at age 16 is considered abnormal. The natural exfoliation process should be complete by around age 12-13. Over-retained baby teeth can crowd the mouth, block permanent teeth from erupting, and lead to other dental complications.
Consulting a pediatric dentist for evaluation and possible extraction of persistent primary teeth is recommended. With the right guidance, a healthy permanent tooth set can still develop in most cases. Prompt management of retained baby teeth provides the best odds of establishing proper long-term dental function.
