Milk teeth, also known as baby teeth or primary teeth, are the first set of teeth that develop in humans. The spelling of "milk teeth" is determined by its phonetic transcription in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which is /mɪlk tiːθ/. The "m" sound is represented by the letter "m," the "ɪ" and "i" sounds are represented by the letters "i" and "e," respectively, and the "l" and "k" sounds are represented by their respective letters. The "t" sound is represented by the letter "t," and the "θ" sound is represented by the letters "th."
Milk teeth, also known as baby teeth, deciduous teeth, or primary teeth, refer to the first set of teeth that erupt in the mouth of young children. These teeth develop beneath the gums during infancy and start to emerge between the ages of 6 months and 1 year, typically in a specific order. Milk teeth are called so because their appearance coincides with the time when a baby transitions from being solely breastfed or bottle-fed to consuming other foods, including types of milk.
The primary function of milk teeth is to aid in the chewing process and facilitate speech development in children. These teeth play a crucial role in the proper alignment and spacing of permanent teeth that will eventually replace them. On average, children have 20 milk teeth, consisting of 8 incisors, 4 canines, and 8 molars. The incisors are located at the front of the mouth and are responsible for biting into food, while the canines and molars are situated towards the back and help with chewing and grinding.
While milk teeth typically start to fall out around the age of 6 or 7, being replaced by permanent teeth, they require proper care and maintenance. Good oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing are essential to prevent tooth decay and ensure the overall health of these temporary teeth. Regular dental check-ups are also recommended to monitor the development and condition of milk teeth as they set the foundation for a healthy dentition in adulthood.
The first set of teeth, see primary dentition and dens deciduus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The first or deciduous teeth.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The term "milk teeth" originated from the resemblance of baby teeth to milk, both in their color and in the fact that they emerge when a child is still consuming milk as a primary part of their diet. The etymology can be traced back to the Old English word "melcan" or "meoloc", which meant milk. The word "teeth" refers to the plural of "tooth" and comes from the Old English word "tōþ". So, the combination of "milk" and "teeth" formed "milk teeth" to describe the first set of teeth that children develop and eventually shed as they grow older.