HealthAugust 18, 2026
deciduous
dih-SIJ-oo-us
Definition
Referring to the primary or 'baby' teeth that are naturally shed and replaced by permanent teeth during childhood.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'decidere', meaning 'to fall off' or 'to fall down.' It was originally used to describe trees that shed their leaves annually before being applied to the teeth that naturally fall out in humans.
In the news
The article uses the term to identify the specific type of teeth being collected from children to analyze geochemical signatures of heavy metal exposure. It specifies that these are baby teeth, which serve as a record of early environmental health.
Aboriginal children helping tooth fairy on a mission
Read the full article ↗UWA