Since not all teeth are visible—even in the widest smile—it’s impossible to know how many teeth a given person has without a thorough inspection. You may be curious if you have too many or too little teeth in either yours or your child’s mouth. There is an average number of teeth for both children and adults.
How Many Teeth Are in a Child’s Mouth?
How many teeth a child should have depends on their age. With regard to primary or baby teeth, most children have 20 at maximum, which include:
- 8 incisors
- 4 canines (also known as cuspids, or eye teeth)
- 8 molars
Baby teeth begin to fall out at around age 6 and are gradually replaced by secondary teeth until about age 12. Additional teeth also come in during this time. By puberty, most children have 28 teeth.
How Many Teeth are in an Adult’s Mouth?
Barring any decay, trauma, or extractions from a skilled dentist, the average adult will eventually have 32 teeth, consisting of:
- 8 incisors
- 4 canines
- 8 premolars (also known as bicuspids)
- 12 molars (including “wisdom teeth”)
On average, the four wisdom teeth generally appear around age 18. They are usually removed because many adult mouths are not large enough to accommodate them. Often times, these extra molars may not completely emerge from the jaw, making them susceptible to impaction or infection.
There are times when a person may have greater than 32 teeth. In fact, just this year, a 17-year-old boy in India had 232 teeth removed in a seven-hour operation! This extreme condition, known as complex odontoma, is quite rare.
By examining your mouth regularly and taking x-rays, a dentist can determine if any teeth should be removed for better oral health. You can save up to 60% off of your dental visits when you enroll in EDP Dental Plan. Our discount dental plans are simpler than insurance. Call (800) 777-1085 or register online and enjoy significant savings today!
