Understanding the development and importance of primary teeth in children.

Baby teeth, also known as primary or deciduous teeth, begin forming during pregnancy and typically start erupting around 6 months of age. Children develop 20 primary teeth in total — 10 upper and 10 lower. These teeth serve crucial functions beyond chewing: they maintain space for permanent teeth, aid in speech development, and contribute to facial structure. The first teeth to appear are usually the lower central incisors, followed by the upper central incisors. Most children have all 20 primary teeth by age 3. Despite being temporary, baby teeth require proper care as decay in primary teeth can affect the developing permanent teeth underneath.