Most children begin losing their primary (baby) teeth around age 6 and have a mix of primary and permanent teeth until around age 12 or 13 when all the permanent teeth have usually erupted. So do 11 year olds typically have all of their permanent teeth? The quick answer is no, 11 year olds usually do not have all of their permanent teeth yet.
At age 11, children are right in the midst of the transition from primary to permanent teeth. While many permanent teeth have usually erupted by age 11, there are often still 1-2 primary teeth holding on until the permanent successors are ready to erupt. This article will provide an overview of primary and permanent teeth eruption timelines to help explain what is typically happening with children’s teeth at age 11.
Primary Teeth Eruption Timeline
Children are born without any teeth. The eruption of the primary (baby) teeth begins around 6 months of age and continues until around age 3 when all 20 primary teeth have usually erupted. Here is a quick overview of when primary teeth typically erupt:
| Age Range | Primary Teeth |
|---|---|
| 6-12 months | Lower central incisors |
| 8-12 months | Upper central incisors |
| 9-13 months | Upper lateral incisors |
| 10-16 months | Lower lateral incisors |
| 13-19 months | First molars |
| 17-23 months | Canines (cuspids) |
| 23-31 months | Second molars |
As you can see from the eruption timeline, children get their primary teeth relatively quickly within the first 2-3 years of life. These primary teeth help them chew food, speak clearly, and hold space for the larger permanent teeth developing under the gums.
Primary teeth typically remain in place until around age 6 when the permanent teeth start pushing them out as they erupt. This transition from primary to permanent teeth continues until the early teen years.
Permanent Teeth Eruption Timeline
Permanent teeth begin erupting around age 6, starting with the first molars. Eruption then continues in a predictable sequence over the next several years as follows:
| Age Range | Permanent Teeth |
|---|---|
| 6-7 years | First molars |
| 7-8 years | Central incisors |
| 8-9 years | Lateral incisors |
| 9-10 years | First premolars |
| 10-12 years | Canines (cuspids) |
| 10-11 years | Second premolars |
| 11-13 years | Second molars |
| 17-21 years | Third molars (wisdom teeth) |
Looking at this timeline, you can see that by age 11, most permanent teeth except the second molars and third molars have usually erupted. So 11 year olds are likely to have a mix of primary and permanent teeth as they finish out the transition.
What Teeth Do 11 Year Olds Have?
Based on the typical eruption timelines, here is a overview of the teeth 11 year olds often have:
- Central incisors – usually permanent
- Lateral incisors – usually permanent
- Canines – often permanent, sometimes primary
- First premolars – usually permanent
- Second premolars – often permanent, sometimes primary
- First molars – permanent
- Second molars – usually primary, sometimes permanent erupting
The last primary teeth to be replaced by permanent teeth are usually the second molars. These erupt around age 11-13. Some children may still have one or two primary second molars holding space at age 11 before the permanent successors push them out.
Primary Teeth That May Still Be Present at Age 11
Again, most 11 year olds are finishing up the transition from primary to permanent teeth. These are the primary teeth that may still be present at age 11 before being replaced by permanent teeth:
- Primary second molars – These are often still present at age 11 but will soon be pushed out by erupting permanent second molars.
- Primary canines – In some children, the primary canine teeth are stubborn and remain until around ages 11-12 before the permanent canines erupt.
So in reviewing typical dental development, 11 year olds are likely to have a mix of permanent and primary teeth, with 1-2 lingering baby teeth waiting for the permanent teeth to push them out.
Importance of Ongoing Dental Care
It’s very important for children to continue regular dental visits during the eruption of permanent teeth in order to:
- Monitor tooth development and catch any problems early.
- Provide education about proper oral hygiene as more permanent teeth erupt.
- Apply dental sealants and fluoride treatments to protect new permanent teeth.
- Extract any primary teeth that do not loosen and fall out on their own by the expected time to allow proper permanent tooth eruption.
Keeping up with professional cleanings and exams ensures any dental issues are caught early and proper eruption patterns are monitored during this important transition period.
What If a Child is Missing Permanent Teeth at Age 11?
In some cases, children may be late or missing certain permanent teeth at age 11. Some examples include:
- Permanent incisors or premolars haven’t erupted on schedule.
- There are no permanent teeth in place of the primary molars.
- Permanent teeth appear blocked and unable to erupt properly.
If permanent teeth are late erupting or seem to be impacted or blocked, it is important to have the child seen by a dentist. X-rays and evaluation can determine if there is an obstruction, poor positioning, or other issue interfering with proper eruption.
Conclusion
While people eventually have 32 permanent teeth, the road getting there is a process! At age 11, most kids are in the midst of the transition between primary and permanent teeth. It is common for 11 year olds to still have 1 or 2 primary molars along with a mix of other permanent and primary teeth.
Regular dental care and hygiene should be continued as the last permanent teeth come in. Any issues with delayed eruption or missing permanent teeth should also be addressed promptly at this age. With good care, 11 year olds will complete the transition and have a full set of 32 healthy permanent teeth before reaching the teen years!