deciduous teeth

[/dɪˈsɪdʒuəs tiːθ/]
nounpl: deciduous teeth
dentes de leite
1. The first set of teeth that erupt in humans, typically beginning around 6 months of age and shed by approximately 12 years old, to be replaced by permanent teeth
My daughter just lost her first deciduous teeth, and the permanent ones are starting to come in.
Minha filha acabou de perder seus primeiros dentes de leite, e os permanentes estão começando a nascer.
2. Baby teeth or primary teeth that serve a temporary function in childhood
Proper care of deciduous teeth is important even though they will eventually fall out.
O cuidado adequado dos dentes de leite é importante, mesmo que eles eventualmente caiam.
In both Brazilian and American culture, the loss of deciduous teeth is considered a childhood milestone. In Brazil, the tradition of the 'Fada dos Dentes' (Tooth Fairy) is also present, where children expect a small gift or money in exchange for leaving a lost tooth under their pillow. Pediatric dentistry emphasizes the importance of caring for deciduous teeth despite their temporary nature, as they maintain space for permanent teeth and affect overall oral health and nutrition during childhood.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
baby teethprimary teethmilk teethtemporary teethfirst dentition
Antonyms / Antônimos
permanent teethadult teethsecondary dentition

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
dentes de leite
Most common and widely understood term in Brazil
General Brazilian
dentes temporários
More technical/medical term used by dental professionals
Rio de Janeiro
dentes de leite
Standard usage, same as general Brazilian
São Paulo
dentes de leite
Standard usage, same as general Brazilian
Portugal
dentes de leite
Same term used in European Portuguese

Related Words

eruptionexfoliationdentitionorthodonticspediatric dentistryenamel

Related Idioms & Phrases

lose a tooth
tooth fairy
baby teeth stage
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →