No, not all teeth are milk teeth. Milk teeth, also known as baby teeth, primary teeth, or deciduous teeth, are the first set of teeth a child develops. These are eventually replaced by permanent teeth.
Understanding Milk Teeth and Permanent Teeth
- Milk Teeth: A child typically has 20 milk teeth, which begin erupting around 6 months of age and are usually complete by age 3. [Source: Better Health Channel, HealthyChildren.org] These teeth are temporary and are eventually shed to make way for permanent teeth. [Source: MouthHealthy.org, Hovedental Clinic]
- Permanent Teeth: Adults typically have 32 permanent teeth. These replace the milk teeth and are meant to last a lifetime. [Source: MouthHealthy.org, UIC College of Dentistry] The process of milk teeth being replaced begins around age 6 and usually concludes by age 13. [Source: Mayo Clinic] The last four teeth to erupt are wisdom teeth. [Source: Specialty Dentist]
The references clearly show that only the first set of teeth, the deciduous teeth or milk teeth, are temporary and constitute a child's first set of teeth. Adult teeth are a separate set, which replaces the milk teeth and last much longer.
