The transitional dentition stage is the time when a child’s mouth has both baby teeth and adult teeth. This stage usually happens between the ages of 6 and 12. Here’s what happens during this period, in simple terms:
1. Mix of Teeth: Some baby teeth are still in place while the first adult teeth start coming in. This is why it’s called the mixed dentition stage.
2. First Adult Molars: Around age 6, the first adult molars (also called “6-year molars”) come in at the back of the mouth. They don’t replace any baby teeth—they just show up behind the last baby molars.
3. Adult Front Teeth: The front baby teeth (incisors) fall out, and the adult front teeth (incisors) come in. These teeth are usually larger than the baby teeth they replace.
4. Spacing and Crowding: It’s normal to see gaps between some teeth or crowding during this time. The jaw is still growing, and as it expands, the adult teeth get more room.
5. Ugly Duckling Stage: Sometimes, the front teeth look a bit out of place (spaced apart or tilted), especially around ages 7 to 9. This is called the “ugly duckling stage” and is totally normal. The teeth usually straighten out once more adult teeth come in.
6. Shedding of Baby Teeth: Gradually, the remaining baby teeth (like the back molars and canines) fall out and are replaced by adult teeth.
7. Final Stage: By around age 12, most of the adult teeth have come in, except for the wisdom teeth, which may appear later in the teen years or early adulthood.
In summary, the transitional dentition stage is a natural part of growing up, where kids lose their baby teeth and get their adult teeth, sometimes with a bit of crowding or gaps that usually fix themselves as the mouth develops.