A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Their Children’s Dental Chart

What Is a Children’s Dental Chart?

A children’s dental chart is a visual and medical record that maps out all of a child’s teeth—both those that have erupted and those still developing under the gums. It serves multiple functions and is essential for any pediatric dental visit.

Definition and Purpose of a Dental Chart

A dental chart, sometimes called a tooth chart or odontogram, is used by pediatric dentists to track your child’s oral development. It offers a visual representation of each tooth, allowing the dentist to mark details such as:

  • Which teeth have erupted
  • Areas with signs of tooth decay
  • Teeth that may be missing or impacted
  • Existing restorations (like fillings or crowns)
  • Notes on orthodontic issues or misalignment

Used by Dentists to Record Tooth Development, Decay, and Treatment Plans

At every routine dental checkup, your child’s dentist updates the chart. If there’s any sign of a cavity, the dentist will mark it on the corresponding tooth using standard dental symbols. Likewise, any treatments—like sealants, fluoride application, or extractions—will be documented.

Different Versions: Baby Teeth (Primary) vs. Permanent Teeth Chart

Children go through two main phases of dental development:

Primary (Baby) Teeth Chart: This chart covers the 20 baby teeth that begin to erupt around 6 months of age and typically finish by age 3. These teeth are labeled using letters (A–T).

Permanent Teeth Chart: As your child matures (around age 6 and up), they begin transitioning to 32 adult teeth. These are charted using numbers (1–32), starting from the top right third molar to the bottom left third molar.

Your Las Vegas children’s dental provider will often show you both charts if your child is in the mixed dentition phase (has both baby and permanent teeth).

Why This Matters for Parents

Understanding your children’s dental chart empowers you as a parent. You’ll be able to:

  • Ask informed questions during dental visits
  • Monitor dental milestones at home
  • Spot changes in your child’s oral health
  • Take proactive steps to prevent cavities and other dental issues

At many top children’s dental clinics, your dentist may even give you a printed or digital copy of your child’s chart so you can follow along with their progress.

Components of a Dental Chart

When you visit a children’s dental clinic, your child’s dentist will likely refer to the dental chart during the exam. Understanding the basic components of your child’s dental chart will help you follow along and stay informed about their oral health.

Tooth Numbering Systems (Universal Numbering System for Kids)

In the United States, the Universal Numbering System is the standard used by pediatric dentists. For children, this system assigns letters A through T to the 20 primary (baby) teeth.

Here’s how it works:

>> The upper right second molar is labeled A,
>> The sequence continues to the upper left second molar, ending at J,
>> The lower teeth start at K on the lower left second molar,
>> The sequence ends with T at the lower right second molar.

As your child begins to lose their baby teeth and grow permanent teeth, the chart transitions to a numbered system (1–32) used for adult teeth.

Symbols and Abbreviations Commonly Used

The dental chart doesn’t just track which teeth are present—it also logs their condition and any treatments performed. Pediatric dentists use standardized abbreviations and symbols to keep track of everything.

Here are a few common ones you might see:

  • D – Decay
  • F – Filling
  • M – Missing
  • E – Extraction
  • S – Sealant
  • C – Crown
  • R – Root Canal

For example, if your Las Vegas children’s dentist notices a small cavity in tooth E, they might mark E: D to note decay. After treatment, that might change to E: F for a completed filling.

Some charts also include arrows, circles, and color codes to represent dental issues or planned procedures visually.

Quadrants and How Teeth Are Organized in the Chart

To make charting even more efficient, the mouth is divided into four quadrants:

  • Upper Right (UR)
  • Upper Left (UL)
  • Lower Left (LL)
  • Lower Right (LR)

In a children’s dental chart, these quadrants help the dentist quickly locate specific teeth and describe their condition. For example, if your child has a filling in the upper left quadrant on tooth G, it may be noted as UL-G: F.

Interpreting Your Child’s Dental Chart

How to Read Which Teeth Are Present or Missing

Your child’s dental chart will show each tooth by its assigned letter (A–T for baby teeth). If a tooth is present and healthy, it’s usually left unmarked. If it’s missing—either because it hasn’t erupted yet or has been lost early—it will be labeled with an M or marked with an “X.”

For example:

K – M” might indicate that baby tooth K (a lower molar) is missing.

A blank or unmarked tooth like “F” means it’s present and in good condition.

Your dentist may show you the chart during checkups and walk you through which teeth should be present at your child’s age. This is especially important if your child is in the mixed dentition phase (a combination of baby and adult teeth).

Identifying Signs of Issues Like Cavities, Crowding, or Delayed Eruption

The dental chart is a valuable tool for identifying early warning signs of dental issues:

>> Cavities: Marked as D for decay. For example, “E – D” means tooth E has a cavity.
>> Crowding: Your child’s chart may include notations about spacing problems, especially as adult teeth begin to erupt. Words like “crowding,” “rotation,” or “misalignment” might be noted.
>> Delayed Eruption: If a tooth that should have erupted by a certain age is missing, your Las Vegas dentist might note it as “unerupted” or mark the space with a question mark or watch symbol.

Understanding these signs can help you act quickly—whether that means scheduling treatment, adjusting at-home care, or planning orthodontic consultations.


Understanding Treatment Notations Like Sealants, Crowns, or Space Maintainers

As your child receives dental care, their chart will evolve to reflect each procedure. Here are common treatment notations you’ll see:

  • S (Sealant): A preventive resin coating placed on back teeth to stop cavities before they start. Example: “M – S”
  • C (Crown): Indicates a baby crown was placed to protect a tooth after major decay or trauma. Example: “I – C”
  • SM (Space Maintainer): If your child loses a tooth prematurely, a dentist may place a space maintainer to preserve alignment. It may appear as “SM: K–L” to show where it’s been placed.

Why Your Child’s Dental Chart Is Important

Your child’s smile is constantly changing—especially between the ages of 2 and 12. That’s why the children’s dental chart isn’t just a one-time tool—it’s a living, evolving record that plays a critical role in your child’s oral health journey.

Tracking Changes Over Time (Especially in Ages 2–12)

Between toddlerhood and pre-teen years, your child will go from a full set of baby teeth to a mix of baby and permanent teeth—and eventually to a full adult set. During this time, the dental chart tracks:

  • Eruption timelines
  • Tooth loss and replacement
  • Signs of wear, decay, or trauma
  • Ongoing treatments and corrections

Regular dental visits at a children’s dental clinic ensure that your child’s chart stays current. This allows the dental team to identify developmental patterns, predict issues, and personalize care based on how your child’s mouth is changing.

Helps Parents Stay Informed About Their Child’s Oral Health Progress

For parents, having access to an up-to-date children’s dental chart means you can:

  • Monitor your child’s oral development alongside their dentist
  • Spot missing teeth or delayed eruption that may need attention
  • Understand the reasoning behind treatments like sealants or space maintainers
  • Keep a long-term dental history that can be shared with orthodontists or specialists


Encourages Early Intervention When Problems Appear

The earlier a dental issue is caught, the easier—and often less expensive—it is to fix. Dental charts help with early detection of:

  • Cavities forming between or on hard-to-see teeth
  • Signs of early gum disease
  • Misalignment or bite issues
  • Abnormal tooth growth or enamel defects

Tips for Using Dental Charts at Home

Here are a few easy ways to make the most of dental charts at home:

Download a Printable Children’s Dental Eruption Chart to Track Baby Teeth

Start by printing a children’s dental eruption chart—many children’s dental clinics offer free versions on their websites. These charts show the typical age ranges for when each baby tooth appears and falls out. By posting the chart on your fridge or keeping it in a health folder, you’ll have a helpful reference as your child grows.

Look for a chart that includes:

  • Both baby (primary) and adult (permanent) teeth timelines
  • Tooth labels (A–T for baby teeth, 1–32 for adult teeth)
  • Space to write notes or dates

This gives you a clearer picture of whether your child’s dental development is on track.

Mark Dates When Teeth Erupt or Fall Out

Use the chart to record the actual dates your child’s teeth come in or fall out. This can be especially useful for:

  • Spotting delayed or early eruption
  • Remembering which tooth came out (especially if your child’s tooth fairy fund is growing fast!)
  • Noting patterns for your dentist to review during your next children’s dental appointment

Tracking this info can be fun too—some parents even turn it into a keepsake activity with stickers or drawings!

Note Any Changes Such as Tooth Discoloration, Movement, or Pain


A home dental chart isn’t just for milestones—it’s a practical place to log any unusual changes you notice between dental visits. Be sure to write down things like:

  • Tooth discoloration (yellow, gray, or brown spots)
  • Shifting or loose teeth that seem out of sync with natural shedding
  • Complaints of pain or sensitivity, especially when chewing or brushing

Bringing this information to your Las Vegas pediatric dentist can help them diagnose issues more accurately—and potentially catch early signs of cavities, trauma, or infection.

Stay Involved, Stay Informed

Using a dental chart at home is a simple but powerful way to stay involved in your child’s oral health. It supports your child’s care plan, makes dental visits more productive, and reinforces good habits between appointments.

Get clarity on your child’s dental progress – speak with our Las Vegas children’s dental care team.

Meet Dr. Sandra Thompson, a caring pediatric dentist proudly serving children and families in Las Vegas neighborhoods like Centennial Hills, Summerlin, Providence, and Skye Canyon.

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