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Throughout your life, you will have two sets of teeth: twenty primary or "baby" teeth, and thirty-two secondary or permanent teeth. At age six to eight months, the primary teeth appear: all 20 are in place by age three. Permanent teeth will begin to erupt at around age six, and except for wisdom teeth, are all present between ages twelve and fourteen. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, erupt between ages seventeen and twenty-five. Most people do not have room in the jaws to accommodate wisdom teeth. This is why wisdom teeth are usually removed. The four front teeth are called incisors, the sharp "fang-like" teeth are cuspids, the next two side teeth are referred to as pre-molars or bicuspids, and back teeth are molars. Permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime. It is vital that they are brushed and flossed daily; and professionally examined and cleaned regularly. |
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