Baby Teeth and Dental Care
How old will a baby be when the teeth start to appear ( Erupt ) ?.
Here is a chart detailing the approximate age range when you can expect to see your child's teeth erupting.
Did you know that children will have 20 milk teeth ?
|
Primary Teeth |
||
| Upper Teeth | Eruption Time | Age of Loss of Tooth |
| Central Incisor | 8 to 12 months | 6 to 7 years old |
| Lateral Incisor | 9 to 13 months | 7 to 8 years old |
| Cuspid | 16 to 22 months | 10 to 12 years old |
| First Molar | 13 to 19 months | 9 to 11 years old |
| Second Molar | 25 to 33 months | 10 to 12 years old |
| Lower Teeth | Eruption Time | Age of Loss of Tooth |
| Central Incisor | 6 to 10 months | 6 to 7 years old |
| Lateral Incisor | 10 to 16 months | 7 to 8 years old |
| Cuspid | 17 to 23 months | 9 to 12 years old |
| First Molar | 14 to 18 months | 9 to 11 years old |
| Second Molar | 23 to 31 months | 10 to 12 years old |
THE GOOD FACTS
Some facts you may or may not know about "first ( baby ) teeth"
- Baby tooth eruption will generally start earlier in girls
- Teeth will come through two-by-two with one on each side
- Baby teeth are smaller and whiter than secondary ( permanent ) teeth
The signs that teeth are on their way...
- Most commonly is the baby putting fingers, or objects in the mouth and biting on them
- Irriation of the mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Gums becoming inflamed
- Cheeks becoming red in the area where the teeth are about to erupt
Things to do to help your baby..
- common sense maybe, but use a clean finger to genltly massage the gum area
- speak to your pharmacist about suitable anaesthetic creams/liquids such as anbesol
- allow the baby to suck on a clean cloth moistened with cold water ( think about Linus from Charlie Brown ! )
IMPORTANT - when teeth are erupting it should not cause fever, vomiting or diarrhoea. If these problems do appear then you should consult your health visitor or doctor.
NOW FOR THE BAD ...
Babies, their teeth and how we as parents can give them tooth decay
Tooth decay in adults, children and babies is primarily caused by bacteria and when dentists refer to cariogenic bacteria they mean the plaque that causes cavities.
Catching Bacteria ... How does that happen ?
Before their teeth make an appearance for the first time babies will have few if any cariogenic bacteria. This bacteria is actually passed to babies by their mothers and fathers and other primary caregivers, even their brothers and sister. This is the number 1 source for babies to "catch" the bacteria. But how does it happen....? Well simply put, the bacteria is passed through saliva-sharing activities:
- Letting your baby put his hand in your mouth and then his own
- Sharing utensils, cups, foods, toothbrushes, etc. (anything that you put in your mouth and then your baby’s)
- Blowing on food to cool it
- Cleaning a dummy or other pacifier or bottle teat by licking it
- Pre-chewing your baby’s food
- Kissing your baby on the mouth
Now all these actions will be second nature to most parents and other family members, we see it all around us and it is hard for us to change these habits, but for the sake of your baby’s oral health it is very important that you and those around your baby have good dental hygiene. Cleanliness may start at home, but good lifelong teeth start in childhood . As parents we want the best for our children and so we should look for the ways to protect them for the future.