Understanding Baby Teeth
Learn what to expect as your child’s first teeth appear, develop, and eventually fall out with helpful guidance on the baby teeth eruption timeline and children’s oral health.
Your Guide to Baby Teeth and Dental Development
Pediatric dentistry is the term we use to describe “taking care of children’s teeth.” So, what do you need to know about taking care of your child's teeth? Let's start at the beginning.
Baby teeth typically begin erupting between 6 and 12 months and continue until your child is about 2.5 to 3 years old. Understanding the baby teeth eruption timeline can help parents know what to expect throughout these early stages of dental development. During the baby tooth eruption stages, your child’s gums may feel tender and sore as a result of the physical pressure created by new teeth erupting. You can soothe their gums by rubbing them with a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth. Teething rings may also help with gum soreness. As your child gets older, their baby teeth will begin falling out, typically starting around age 6.
Teething Child
All 20 primary, or baby, teeth should typically be in by the time your child is 2 to 3 years old. Having a teething child can be stressful, especially if your child is experiencing discomfort from their teeth coming in. It does not have to be a painful experience, though. Some methods to make the teething process easier include rubbing your child’s gums with a clean finger, damp cloth, or the back of a small, cool spoon. If these methods do not work, our pediatric dentist or your child’s family doctor can recommend an appropriate over-the-counter medication to help relieve the discomfort. Small children and babies are likely to chew anything they can get their hands on, including walls, seatbelts, table edges, and other objects. Try to ensure your child stays away from materials that are hard enough to break their teeth or make their gums bleed.
It is also important to avoid certain methods when caring for a teething child. Do not use a liquid painkiller that can be rubbed on your toddler’s gums without first consulting a healthcare professional, as your child could ingest some of it. Avoid teething biscuits, since many contain added or hidden sugars. Do not dismiss a fever. Fevers are not generally considered a normal part of the tooth eruption process. If your child has a fever, it may not be related to their new teeth, and you should contact your child’s doctor.
First Dental Visit
A common question many new parents have is, “At what age should my little one be seen by the dentist?”
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first dental visit when their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. At our office, we encourage early dental visits to help children become familiar with the office environment and feel as comfortable as possible.
Even if your child cannot sit still in the chair, an early visit can help establish positive experiences with pediatric dentistry and support their infant oral health. Preventive screenings may be all that is required at such an early age. During these visits, our team can also help counsel parents on feeding methods, thumb and finger habits, and other factors that can help build healthy oral hygiene habits. To get your child ready for their first visit, we suggest allowing your child to attend a hygiene visit with a parent or sibling to become familiar with the office and team. It is also helpful to encourage regular tooth care at home.
Toothpaste and Toothbrush
For young toddlers, brushing with a toothbrush and an appropriate amount of toothpaste can help maintain healthy teeth and gums. Start brushing with a rice grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first baby tooth erupts. Parents should supervise brushing and encourage their child to spit out the toothpaste as they develop the ability to do so. Using the proper amount of fluoride toothpaste is important because excessive fluoride exposure while the permanent teeth are developing may contribute to dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis affects the appearance of tooth enamel and can range from faint white markings to more noticeable changes in severe cases.
For infants, a damp or wet cloth can be used to gently clean their gums before their first tooth begins erupting. Once the first baby tooth appears, switch to a small, soft-bristle toothbrush designed for infants. Since an infant’s diet primarily consists of milk and soft foods, aggressive brushing should be avoided. Once your child develops more teeth, continue using an age-appropriate soft-bristle toothbrush. Have your child try brushing your teeth to practice how teeth should be cleaned, and try brushing at the same time as your child, as children often pick up on what you are doing and mimic your movements. Some parents have success with a counting game while brushing, while others sing songs or play music to encourage their child to brush for an appropriate amount of time.
How Often Should My Child See the Dentist?
Your child should visit our dental office every 4 to 6 months, depending on their oral health and the treatment plan they are following. However, if your child is experiencing a toothache or bleeding gums, you should call our office to schedule an appointment, as these concerns may require professional evaluation. It is important to know that, in terms of routine dental appointments, there is not a single schedule that fits all patients. Depending on your child's individual circumstances, our pediatric dentist may want to see them twice a year, every three months, or more often.
Whatever the recommended schedule may be, do not let those appointments go. Keeping up with the recommended schedule of preventive treatment and practicing effective oral hygiene at home are two of the best ways to help prevent oral health problems and keep your child's smile looking bright and healthy.
Children’s Dental Care
As parents, we are so concerned with the overall health of our children that we can sometimes overlook what we consider to be the little things. The health of our teeth is extremely important, especially for children. Children are not immune to dental and oral health issues simply because they are young. Children can develop dental and oral health issues if they are not educated about proper oral care or if preventive measures are not taken during their youth. It is never too early to start teaching your child about the importance of oral health. If you instill proper oral care habits in your child early, they are much more likely to maintain healthy teeth and gums throughout their life, require fewer dental procedures, and support better overall health. Here are some great ways to keep your child’s oral health in great shape: