MILK TOOTH Meaning and
Definition
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A milk tooth, also commonly referred to as a deciduous tooth, is one of the first set of teeth that emerge in mammals, including humans, during infancy and early childhood. These temporary teeth are aptly named "milk teeth" due to their resemblance to the color and texture of milk. Typically, a child develops a total of 20 milk teeth, with 10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw.
Milk teeth play a vital role in the early stages of dental development. They serve as placeholders for permanent teeth, allowing the jawbone and facial structure to grow properly. As the child grows, these milk teeth begin to loosen and eventually fall out, making space for the permanent teeth to erupt in their place.
The eruption of milk teeth typically starts around the age of six months, with the lower central incisors being the first to emerge. Subsequently, the milk teeth continue to emerge in a specific order, following a predetermined pattern. By the age of three years, most children have a complete set of milk teeth.
Although milk teeth are temporary, they still require proper oral hygiene and care. Regular brushing and flossing are essential to prevent decay and maintain overall dental health. Seeking dental advice from a pediatric dentist is recommended to monitor the growth and development of milk teeth and ensure a smooth transition to permanent teeth.
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• One of the teeth of the first or deciduous set; dens deciduus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MILK TOOTH
- nilk tooth
- kilk tooth
- jilk tooth
- mulk tooth
- mjlk tooth
- mklk tooth
- molk tooth
- m9lk tooth
- m8lk tooth
- mikk tooth
- mipk tooth
- miok tooth
- milj tooth
- milm tooth
- mill tooth
- milo tooth
- mili tooth
- milk rooth
- milk footh
- milktooth
Etymology of MILK TOOTH
The term "milk tooth" refers to the initial set of temporary teeth that children have before their permanent teeth emerge. The etymology of the word can be traced back to the Old English language. The word "milk" comes from the Old English word "meoluc", which means milk. This term was used to describe the white liquid that is produced by mammals to feed their young. The word "tooth", on the other hand, comes from the Old English word "tōþ", which means tooth. Therefore, the term "milk tooth" essentially refers to the white, temporary teeth that resemble milk in appearance and are replaced by permanent teeth as a child grows.
Similar spelling words for MILK TOOTH
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