Definition

Noun A baby tooth is one of the first set of teeth that develop in a young mammal. In humans, these are the initial 20 temporary teeth that appear in childhood and are later replaced by permanent teeth.

Usage

The term baby tooth is used to refer to a single tooth from this initial set. It is a common, informal term. * A child's baby tooth became loose. * The dentist said the baby tooth needed to be extracted to make room for the adult tooth. * She saved her son's first lost baby tooth in a small box.

Advanced Usage

• Losing a baby tooth: This is a common milestone in a child's development.
  • He was excited about losing his first baby tooth because the tooth fairy would visit.
• Baby tooth vs. permanent tooth: Used to contrast the two sets of teeth.
  • A baby tooth has a smaller root structure compared to a permanent tooth.

Variants and Related Words

• Primary tooth (n.): The formal, technical term for a baby tooth, used in dental and medical contexts.
  • The chart tracks the eruption of all primary teeth.
• Deciduous tooth (n.): Another formal term, likening these teeth to leaves that fall off (deciduous trees).
  • The exfoliation of deciduous teeth typically begins around age six.
• Milk tooth (n.): A synonym for baby tooth, common in British English.
  • He wiggled his loose milk tooth with his tongue.

Synonyms

• Primary tooth
• Deciduous tooth
• Milk tooth
• Temporary tooth

Antonyms

• Permanent tooth (n.): An adult tooth that replaces a baby tooth and is meant to last for life.
  • The permanent tooth erupted behind the stubborn baby tooth.
• Adult tooth (n.): A common term for a permanent tooth.

Noun

1. one of the first temporary teeth of a young mammal (one of 20 in children)