How many baby teeth does a child have

What Every Parent Needs to Know About Baby Teeth | College of Dentistry

Posted on December 21, 2017

Seeing baby teeth first appear is an exciting time in a child’s early years. Your child’s first teeth give them new ways to eat, speak, and smile. This milestone is also a time to begin thinking about how to care for your child’s teeth.

Believe it or not, tooth decay can begin as soon as your baby’s teeth first appear. This is why it is so important to start your child out with good oral hygiene habits that benefit them for a lifetime.

We all want good health, happiness and a lifetime of smiles for our children. Here are some important facts and tips to keep baby teeth healthy and prevent harmful dental problems for years to come.

Good dental health starts with baby teeth

Although they are replaced by adult teeth, baby teeth are a critical component of every child’s development. They help your child chew, speak, smile, and they hold space for the adult teeth.

Quick facts about baby teeth:

Babies aren’t actually born without teeth; in fact, they are born with 20 baby (primary) teeth that just haven’t appeared (erupted) yet.
Teething starts at around 6 months when baby teeth will begin erupting and continue to 3 years of age. Usually, the first teeth to erupt are the bottom front teeth (incisors).
Between the age of 6 and 12 children have a combination of baby and adult teeth, as their baby teeth are gradually replaced by 32 adult teeth. The front baby teeth (incisors) are usually lost between 6 to 8 years of age, and the back teeth (canines and molars) are not lost until ages 9 to 13.
Enamel, which is the strong layer that protects your teeth, is thinner in baby teeth as compared to adult teeth. This makes them more prone to cavities.
Spacing between baby teeth is normal and allows space for adult teeth to erupt.

Eruption Charts

Teeth vary in size, shape and their location in the jaws. These differences enable teeth to work together to help you chew, speak and smile. They also help give your face its shape and form. At birth people usually have 20 baby (primary) teeth, which start to come in (erupt) at about 6 months of age. They fall out (shed) at various times throughout childhood. By age 21, all 32 of the permanent teeth have usually erupted.

Baby (Primary) Teeth Eruption Chart (PDF)		Permanent Teeth Eruption Chart (PDF)
(source: American Dental Association)

Your child's first visit to the dentist

Visiting the dentist is another milestone in a year of exciting firsts. Your child should visit the dentist after their first tooth erupts, or by the time they are 1 year old. Your child’s dentist is your partner in helping your child have healthy teeth. Early visits to the dentist have been shown to reduce cavities risk by providing preventative measures.

Your child’s dentist can give you tips on the best way to take care of your child’s teeth. They can also provide treatment swiftly if any issues develop. After your child’s first visit, they should return every 6 months unless their dentist recommends returning more often.

And of course, it's important to follow up the first visit with regular pediatric dental check-ups.

Throughout the childhood years, the dentist will do the following to ensure your child gets a good start to oral health:

What to expect during a pediatric dental visit

Checking your child’s teeth and mouth for erupting teeth or any issues.

Count the teeth and help you plan for further teething.

Discussing ways to take care of your child’s teeth, including establishing healthy brushing routines and forming good dietary habits.

Performing preventative treatments such as fluoride varnish or sealants.

When to start brushing with toothpaste

Decay can happen as soon as teeth first appear – even in baby teeth. So, as soon as the first baby teeth appear, it's time to start brushing. Your child’s teeth should be brushed twice daily—in the morning and before bed. Practicing flossing baby teeth is a great way to get into the habit. They are often much easier to floss than permanent teeth, and by the time the teeth are all touching your child is already in the habit.

Help them get started with brushing.
A great way to encourage children to take care of their own teeth is to help them brush and floss, and have them watch you do it as well.

A great way to encourage children to take care of their own teeth is to help them brush and floss, and have them watch you do it as well. Be available to help them until at least 6 years of age. Most children cannot effectively brush on their own until they are 8 years old, so it is important that you continue to help them as they grow up. Assist them and teach them to brush their teeth two times a day for two minutes with fluoridated toothpaste.

But don’t stop there! Even after those early years, continue brushing together with your child to reinforce those healthy habits into adulthood. It’s also a good idea to do fresh-breath checks to encourage regular brushing after meals. Studies have shown that a child’s brushing habits are largely influenced by their parents. So, encouraging and teaching your child to brush their teeth can have a lasting impact on their oral hygiene, well into their adult years.

Tips for showing children how to brush their teeth:

For children under 2, use just a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste
For children ages 3-6, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Use a soft-bristled brush for two minutes, at least twice per day, and after sweet consumption.
Show children how to hold the brush at a 45-degree angle (toward the gum line). Gently stroke all surfaces of the teeth.
Help your child with brushing until at least age 6.

It doesn't take much to clean your child's teeth. Until you're confident that your child can brush on his or her own, continue to brush your child's teeth twice a day with a child-size toothbrush.

From the UIC Experts:

“Toothpaste needs some time to work. The fluoride in toothpaste takes a little time to start working on teeth. After brushing have your child spit out the extra toothpaste, but not rinse out with water for at least 20 minutes. This lets the small amount of toothpaste on teeth absorb and really do its job.”

“Having some sweet snacks are okay, just try to enjoy them right way after a meal , not throughout the day. Try to stick to tooth-healthy snacks like nuts, cheeses, and vegetables.”

Dr. Ian W. Marion DDS MS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry
UIC College of Dentistry

Baby teeth are very sensitive to decay (cavities)

Cavities, are infectious and can spread – and can even cause infections in the adult teeth growing beneath them. Compared to adult teeth, baby teeth are more susceptible to decay because they have a thinner layer of enamel, the hard outer surface of the teeth. Because of this, it is easier for baby teeth to develop cavities, which are formed when bacteria living in our mouths digest sugar, turning it into acid that erodes the surface of the tooth.

You can help protect your children from tooth decay by brushing and flossing your own teeth regularly.

Babies are not born with the bacteria that causes dental decay. Instead, the bacteria is often transferred to them from their parents. When you share spoons or forks with your child, lick their pacifier when it falls on the floor, or even give them a kiss on the lips, you can transfer harmful bacteria from your mouth without realizing it.

Read more: The True Story of Why You Get Cavities, According to a Billion Microbes

Baby teeth can be protected with fluoride

Fluoride found in tap water and toothpaste provides an extra level of defense to your child’s baby and adult teeth. The fluoride strengthens the surface of baby and adult teeth by being absorbed into the outer layer of the teeth, making them stronger to resist decay.

How Does Drinking Water Prevent Cavities?

Drinking water with fluoride, is one of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do to help prevent cavities.

Water is unlike any other drink, and is by far the healthiest drink available. Our bodies are made of 60% water, and staying hydrated helps your system distribute healthy nutrients, gets rid of waste, gives your skin a healthy glow and keeps your muscles moving. And--drinking water really helps your teeth stay health – especially if it’s fluoridated.

Read more: 4 Ways Drinking Water Improves Your Smile

Sealants provide an extra barrier to prevent decay

Dental sealants are a thin coating that is painted on teeth to protect them from cavities. Sealants form an extra barrier between cavity-causing bacteria and your child's teeth.

And sealants are very effective. According to the Centers for Disease Control and ADA’s Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry, sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. School-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.

Sealant are especially important for children from low-income families because such children are less likely to receive dental care.

Nutrition also plays a big part in developing good dental health

A good diet is essential for a child’s growth and development – including their teeth.

Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Almost all foods, including milk or vegetables, have some type of sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay. Also, certain foods are hard on teeth and should be eaten sparingly. This includes sugary drinks like soda and juice, or sticky foods like fruit snacks and candy.

Here are some tips to help control the amount of sugar your child consumes:

Review food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars.
Select beverages, such as water, that hydrate and contribute to good nutrition.
Encourage children to drink from a cup by their first birthday and discourage frequent or prolonged use of sippy cups.
Serve nutritious snacks and limit sweets to mealtimes. Try to limit the number of sweet snacks your child eats between meals.

Avoid nighttime bottle use

Sleeping with a bottle filled with sweetened drinks such as milk or juice allows its sugary contents to sit on teeth for long periods of time, causing damage. Baby bottle tooth decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth (but other teeth may also be affected). Frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar can cause tooth decay. So, avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks. And, encourage babies to finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to bed.

Baby teeth can also be harmed by too much pacifier use or finger sucking

It is common for children to use pacifiers or suck their thumbs. But prolonged sucking can actually change the position of their teeth! This can make it hard to chew or speak, and can cause adult teeth to be displaced as well. If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean—don’t dip it in sugar or honey, or put it in your mouth before giving it to the child.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children stop finger sucking by 3 years of age. If habits persist, your dentist can suggest ways to help them stop. This could include coating the finger with a bitter-tasting varnish or temporarily installing a mouth appliance that helps prevent sucking.

What about breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding has been shown to be beneficial for a baby’s health and development, but there are few things to consider for good dental health. Breast milk by itself does not promote tooth decay. But breastfed babies who fall asleep while nursing with un-swallowed milk in their mouths are more vulnerable to tooth decay, especially if foods and liquids with sugar and carbohydrates have been introduced to their diet. Clean the baby's mouth with a wet washcloth after breastfeeding, and encourage a bottle with plain water during nighttime.

Even though your child will lose their baby teeth, they should be cared for as if they were permanent. Maintaining baby teeth largely falls on the adults who care for them. Simply keeping your own teeth healthy and brushing your teeth regularly can have a positive impact on your child’s oral health. By helping prevent dental decay and forming good oral hygiene habits with your children, you can help them keep their smiles for a lifetime.

By keeping these facts in mind, you can ensure your child is on the way to a healthy smile for the rest of their lives. Their adult teeth will be here before you know it!

This article was inspired by an essay from:
Lina Al-Chaar, DMD Candidate
UIC College of Dentistry

References:

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

“Fast Facts 2014.”

“Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. “Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) in Children (Ages 2-11). National Institutes of Health.

Nowak, Arthur J, et al. “Do Early Dental Visits Reduce Treatment and Treatment Costs for Children?” Pediatric Dentistry, vol. 36, 214, pp. 489-493

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Teeth development in children - Better Health Channel

The development of primary teeth begins while the baby is in the womb. At about 5 weeks' gestation, the first buds of primary teeth appear in the baby's jaws. At birth, the baby has a full set of 20 primary teeth (10 in the upper jaw, 10 in the lower jaw) hidden under the gums. Primary teeth are also known as baby teeth, milk teeth or deciduous teeth.

Types of teeth

The names of the different types of teeth are:

Incisors – the front teeth located in the upper and lower jaws. Each incisor has a thin cutting edge. The upper and lower incisors come together like a pair of scissors to cut the food.
Canines – the pointy teeth on both sides of the incisors in the upper and lower jaws; used to tear food.
Premolars – which have flat surfaces to crush food.
Molars – these are larger than premolars towards the back of the mouth, with broad, flat surfaces that grind food.

Teething

'Eruption' refers to the tooth breaking through the gum line. In babies, tooth eruption is also called teething. The timing of tooth eruption differs from child to child. For example, one child may cut their first tooth when only a few months old, while another may not start teething until they are 12 months old or more.

The exact timing may be different from child to child but the order of tooth development is more consistent.

Generally, the average child has their full set of 20 primary teeth by the age of 3 years.

Managing the teething process

Babies’ immune systems start to change when they are around 6 months old. Along with the tendency to put things in their mouths, this makes them more prone to illnesses. Symptoms of common childhood illnesses such as changes in sleep and eating patterns, fussiness, rash, drooling, runny nose and diarrhoea are often linked to teething when that might not be the cause. If your child has these symptoms, speak to your child’s doctor about other possible causes such as bacterial, viral or middle ear infections.

Teething takes about 8 days, which includes 4 days before and 3 days after the tooth comes through the gum. (You may see a blue-grey bubble on the gum where the tooth is about to appear. This is called an eruption cyst and will usually go away without treatment.) During this time, it can be tough to keep children comfortable.

Some tips include:

Massage – gently massage the gum with clean fingers or a soft, wet cloth.
Chilled (not frozen) teething rings or rusks – pressure from a cold object can relieve discomfort from teething. Do not sterilise plastic teething rings in boiling water or dishwater, unless specified by the manufacturer. Be sure to check product information before buying teething rings. Avoid the ones that use a plastic softener called 'diisononyl phthalate'.
Unsweetened teething rusks or sugar-free teething biscuits – these can be given to infants over 6 months who have started eating solids.
Pain-relieving medications – paracetamol works well for children. Ibuprofen may also help, but it is not as well tolerated by children.
Dry the drool – the skin around the mouth, particularly the chin area, can become irritated. Gently wipe this away with a soft cloth throughout the day.

Some treatments should be used with caution or not at all. These include:

Teething necklaces – amber is believed by some people to release healing oil on contact with warm skin. The oil is thought to be soothing or help to reduce pain. Although amber teething strings or necklaces are designed to be worn around the neck, wrist or ankle, they have been incorrectly used to chew on. The ACCC has issued a product safety statement about amber teething necklaces, warning of possible choking and strangulation hazards. Parents are asked to consider other less risky ways of providing relief from teething.
Teething gels – common teething gels contain 8.7–9.0% of the ingredient choline salicylate. Salicylate is related to aspirin. The use of aspirin for children younger than 16 is not recommended because in some children it has been known to cause Reye's syndrome – a rare but potentially lethal condition that can cause liver and brain damage. Although there has not been a reported case of Reye's syndrome associated with the use of teething gels, the general advice is that it is a risk not worth taking when there are other things available.

Teething gels containing benzocaine are also not recommended for use in children. Research also suggests that teething gels may not relieve teething pain, rather the act of massaging it into the gum is what helps.

Caring for baby teeth

Some parents may feel that caring for baby (primary) teeth isn't as important as caring for adult (permanent) teeth, simply because baby teeth fall out.

However, baby teeth are very important. They allow children to chew food and speak properly, and they reserve the spaces in the gums for future adult teeth.

Tooth decay in baby teeth

Tooth decay is preventable. The risk of developing dental decay can be significantly reduced by good oral hygiene habits and a healthy diet from a young age.

Decayed baby teeth need to be treated by a dental practitioner. In some cases, specialist treatment in a hospital under a general anaesthetic is needed. If neglected, decayed baby teeth can lead to mouth pain, dental abscesses (a boil or swelling resulting from infected teeth), and problems with the surrounding teeth. Severe decay in baby teeth can affect eating and sleep, which can slow growth.

If a baby molar is lost too early due to severe decay, adjacent baby teeth may drift into the gap and create spacing problems for the adult tooth when it comes through.

Watch this Australian Dental Association video about caring for children’s oral health.

Loss of baby teeth

From the age of about 6 years, baby teeth start to become 'wobbly' and fall out to make way for adult teeth. It is perfectly normal for a child to lose their first tooth up to a year or 2 earlier or later than 6 years of age. Girls generally lose teeth earlier than boys. The first tooth to fall out is usually located in the front of the lower jaw.

Losing baby teeth can be unsettling and painful for young children. Suggestions for parents include:

Reassure your child that losing baby teeth is a natural process and new adult teeth will come in their place. It's normal for gums to be tender and bleed a little, although some children experience little or no discomfort while losing their teeth.
Use cold packs or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medication to help relieve loose tooth pain. Ask your dentist or pharmacist for recommendations on appropriate medication for your child.
Make use of the Tooth Fairy. This myth has lasted a long time with good reason! The idea of getting some money or another reward in exchange for a tooth might soften the idea of tooth loss for your child.

Permanent teeth

Permanent teeth are also known as adult teeth or secondary teeth. The permanent teeth start to develop in the jaws at birth and continue after a child is born. By about 21 years, the average person has 32 permanent teeth, including 16 in the upper jaw and 16 in the lower jaw. (In some cases, the third molars – commonly called wisdom teeth – do not develop or do not erupt so some people only have a set of 28 permanent teeth.)

At about the age of 6 years, the first permanent molar teeth erupt. These 4 molars (2 in each jaw) come out behind the child's baby teeth. Other permanent teeth, such as the incisors, canines, and premolars, erupt into the gaps in the gum left by baby teeth that are lost.

As with baby teeth, the timing for when the permanent teeth come through can differ. Generally, the order of and rough timeline for each type of permanent tooth is:

First molars – between 6 and 7 years.
Central incisors – between 6 and 8 years.
Lateral incisors – between 7 and 8 years.
Canine teeth – between 9 and 13 years.
Premolars – between 9 and 13 years.
Second molars – between 11 and 13 years.
Third molars (wisdom teeth) – between the ages of 17 and 21 years, if at all.

Mouthguards protect children's teeth

Mouthguards help protect teeth and prevent dental injuries, particularly when playing and training for contact sports. All children playing contact sports should wear a custom-fitted mouthguard, even primary school-age children. Custom-fitted mouthguards are comfortable, allow speech and do not restrict breathing. Learn more about mouthguards.

Where to get help

Your dentist
Australian Dental Association ‘Find a Dentist’ or Tel. (03) 8825 4600
Dental Health Services Victoria Tel. (03) 9341 1000 or 1800 833 039 outside Melbourne metro - provides public dental services through the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and community dental clinics, for eligible people.
Maternal and Child Health Line (24 hours) Tel. 13 22 29
NURSE-ON-CALL (24 hours, 7 days) Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice
Royal Children's Hospital (Dentistry) Tel. (03) 9345 5344

features of growth and change - dentistry President

Waiting for the first baby teeth in a baby is an exciting and pleasant time, although it is accompanied by some inconvenience. However, one expectation is soon replaced by another. And now mom and dad can’t wait until the baby teeth begin to change into permanent ones.

Contents

Growth and change of milk teeth
Tooth changer
Dental care features
Teeth grow crooked: what to do?
Tooth fell out: your actions?
Deciduous teeth caries: prevention and treatment

Changes associated with the growth and loss of teeth in a child always raise a lot of questions. One of the first - when the first molars appear. Answer: 6-7 years old. The rest you will learn from our article.

Growth and change of milk teeth

It is interesting to know that milk teeth begin to form when the baby is in the mother's womb. And after birth, permanent teeth begin to develop in the gums. This is a long and exciting process, the duration of which depends on the characteristics of the individual development of a small person.

Normally, an adult has 32 teeth, 16 at the top and 16 at the bottom. A small child has fewer of them - only 20. The critter begins to lose its milk wealth as soon as the formation of permanent teeth in the gum ends. They erupt, displacing temporary teeth.

Possible pain during the change of teeth is the subject of frequent unrest among parents. But we hasten to reassure: in 90% of cases, the eruption of molars occurs almost painlessly. The roots of milk teeth simply dissolve, resulting in natural loss. Most often, the lower teeth change first, but how this will happen in your child and at what speed is an individual question.

On average, all teeth are replaced within 6-8 years. That is, by the age of 14, a teenager will already have a complete set. However, even here there are some nuances. Ultimately, the intensity of the loss of old and the eruption of new teeth is influenced by genetic predisposition, as well as the quality of nutrition. Even drinking water can affect the speed and then the health of your child's teeth.

In case of poor water quality, the risk of caries and pulpitis in milk teeth is higher than in the situation of drinking a good, mineral-rich liquid. Often, in order to avoid damage to the molars growing after them, the milk teeth are pulled out. It is possible to treat them, but it is not always advisable. Ultimately, this issue should be decided by a specialist.

It is interesting to know that the region also affects the change of the dentition. The factors that delay or accelerate the growth of permanent teeth can also be attributed to the standard of living of the family, the nature of the disease.

Tooth changing mechanism

Another interesting fact to add to your knowledge of teeth: the so-called sixes, or molars, erupt first. But growing up, they do not provoke the loss of milk teeth simply because they are not there. These are additional teeth that stand next to the infant ones.

But then a full-fledged change of milk teeth to molars takes place. Start the relay, as in the first months of a baby's life, incisors. First the lower ones fall out, and then the upper ones. After that, the premolars change, the first pair is renewed at the age of 10, the second at about 12. By the age of 13, the child, as a rule, already has brand new molars, and at 14 the second molars grow. The third line of molars (wisdom teeth) normally grow in an older teenager, but in practice they erupt already in adults. In some cases, the eights are not shown at all on the surface of the gums.

Dental care features

The sooner you teach your child about oral care, the healthier their teeth will be. Cleaning is necessary for both molars and milk teeth. Moreover, the first permanent teeth especially need this, because at first the enamel is still very thin. She lacks minerals to resist germs and cavities. Therefore, experts recommend using a paste containing fluorine. After each meal, it is strongly recommended to rinse your mouth with clean water. During the day, it is advisable to consume less sweets, because. sugar destroys enamel.

Sometimes during the process of changing teeth, discomfort in the gums and itching are observed, complaints of increased sensitivity during eating are noted. Calcium-containing foods and vitamin-mineral complexes help strengthen teeth. A qualified pediatric dentist will be able to give practical advice on relieving pain and itching, as well as prescribing vitamins.

Teeth grow crooked: what to do?

The curvature of the molars can appear literally out of the blue, even if the milk line was perfect. The most common cause of individual teeth protruding or misaligned is slow jaw growth, while the teeth themselves grow at a normal rate. Thus, there is simply little space for the teeth, and they take up space above the neighboring ones. Another cause of curvature is the habit of sucking a finger, tongue or foreign objects (pacifiers, pens, etc. ).

It is possible to determine whether the baby's oral cavity is developing correctly at about 5 years of age. Conduct a simple inspection at home and pay attention to the gaps between the teeth. If they are sufficient for the appearance of the first molars, then everything is in order. If the milk teeth sit very tightly to each other, then it may make sense to visit an orthodontist.

Extraction of a milk tooth: in what cases is it necessary?

The desire of many parents to pull out a milk tooth immediately after it began to stagger can be explained by the desire to help the child, to ease his suffering. However, this should not be done. With natural loosening, changing teeth is less painful.

There are two good reasons to have a tooth removed promptly:

when it prevents the root from erupting, and this can lead to crookedness;
when there is an inflammatory process.

You can also remove a tooth if it has been loosening for a long time and causing discomfort to the baby. In case of other concerns, we recommend that you contact a specialist.

Tooth fell out: what to do?

With a normal change of teeth, the wound does not bleed after falling out. In this case, it is enough for the child not to eat or drink for the next 2 hours. This will prevent the entry of irritating substances into the wound, as well as infection. As a prevention of infection, you can make a rinse solution: 2 tablespoons of salt in a glass of water with the addition of 2-3 drops of iodine.

If the cavity in the gum bleeds, do not be afraid. This only speaks of the rupture of thin vessels under the tooth. You can stop bleeding by biting a cotton swab for 5-10 minutes. If after that the blood is still flowing, call a doctor and get tested.

Caries in milk teeth: prevention and treatment

Caries in milk teeth is a common problem in children. Many parents do not attach much importance to it, relying on the early loss of the affected tooth, and make a mistake. A neglected infection can provoke deformation of the jaw, displacement of the molars, as well as their defeat even in the infancy.

Most often, caries is detected at the age of 2-3 years, and the appearance of dark spots is affected not only by poor hygiene, but even by the mother's lifestyle during pregnancy. Improper nutrition, taking strong medications, as well as bad habits often provoke the development of caries in the process of intrauterine development of the baby.

Tooth decay is also common in premature babies, formula-fed babies (especially with prolonged bottle use), and babies with gastrointestinal problems. Often the teeth of the sweet tooth are affected. The plaque that remains after eating sweets quickly destroys thin enamel.

As soon as the first baby teeth appear, we recommend visiting a dentist. In the future, it is necessary to examine the oral cavity at least once a year. This is the main method of prevention and timely treatment.

To strengthen the enamel, you can remineralize the enamel with a special preparation. If, nevertheless, a surface spot is found, it can be “patched” by silvering. Additionally, the application of solutions containing fluorine, calcium, magnesium and silicon will help to strengthen the surface of the teeth.

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Milk teeth in children

The first teeth are formed in the baby, even during the mother's pregnancy. And their growth is part of the development and maturation of the child. Milk teeth are called temporary, but they serve for a long time - the change to permanent ends at the age of 13-14. Therefore, taking care of your child's teeth requires a lot of attention.

How many milk teeth do children have

Temporary teeth grow less than permanent ones - only 20. When milk teeth are replaced by permanent ones, another 8-12 new teeth appear. Therefore, dairy grow rarely - they save space.

At the age of one, all the incisors appear in the baby. Doctors assess development according to pediatric standards - by the age of 2 years, 16 out of 20 teeth should erupt. At the same time, you need to remember: the norms are average indicators, kids do not grow according to the training manual.

How teeth grow in children depends on many factors:

nutritional quality, vitamin balance;
the time of appearance of the first tooth;
high/low jaw loading;
genetic features;
immunity and past diseases.

A complete set may not arrive by age 5 or may grow by age 2 - no cause for concern as long as you have regular check-ups, follow the recommendations of dentists and pediatricians. There are no deviations, but baby teeth do not grow in children? Just wait, it's genetics.

When do baby teeth fall out?

The change of teeth in children begins at 6. Sometimes the first tooth can fall out at 5 or 7 years. There is a relationship between the beginning of the growth of milk teeth and loss - the incisor has grown at 5 months, it will begin to fall out at 5 years.

The incisors are changed first. At 9-11 years old, the canines change, up to 12 - the first and second premolars grow. The change of milk teeth ends at the age of 13-14: the second molars grow and a permanent bite is formed. Wisdom teeth, the third pair of molars, are the last to grow in an adult.

Diseased teeth fall out faster than intact, healthy ones. Girls renew temporary teeth for molars faster than boys.

Memo to parents

☑️ An empty hole should not bleed much. If the capillaries are affected, it is enough to apply a sterile swab until the bleeding stops. Postpone lunch for 1-2 hours. You can drink unsweetened liquids, preferably water.

☑️ There is no need to smear the wound with antiseptics or rinse your mouth - the blood clot that closes the hole will wash out.

☑️ Bleeding does not stop for more than 10 minutes - see a doctor.

☑️ To strengthen the roots of new teeth, you need to load the jaws. Give your child more fruits and vegetables to chew on: apples, young carrots.

☑️ Growing teeth need calcium. They are rich in dairy products, especially hard cheese, cottage cheese and kefir. There is a lot of calcium in greens and legumes, to “get” it from foods - add 10-20 grams of fat to the dish.

Candy for children! The main rule for the prevention of caries in children during the growth of teeth is that sugar or food particles should not remain in the mouth.

Candy is delicious and safe if you brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with clean water after dessert.

The procedure for changing the milk teeth in children

There is a universal rule: as a universal rule: as a universal rule: as a universal rule: as a dental rule: as a dental rule: as a dental rule: as a dental rule: as a dental rule: as a tile children, in that order they drop out. Does the schema fail? It's okay, it's a feature of the body.

In half of the cases, the "sixes" - molars - grow first. Their appearance often goes unnoticed - there are no temporary analogues. It is these molars that are the first to suffer from caries. It is necessary to take the child for preventive examinations so as not to miss the new "tenant".

After the appearance of the "sixth", the order of teeth growth corresponds to the rule:

central incisors;
side cutters;
fangs;
premolars;
first molars and second molars.

Should I visit a pediatric dentist?

If the child's teeth grow without pain and inflammation, it is enough to go for regular preventive examinations every six months.

You need to make an appointment at the dental clinic when:

a molar does not grow for more than 5 months. Orthodontic treatment may be needed to correct the bite.
Indigenous have begun to grow, but dairy still remain. To form the correct bite, you need to remove temporary teeth.
Baby tooth fell out due to trauma. Neighboring teeth can take up empty space and the root has nowhere to grow.
the child grinds his teeth strongly at night. Because of this, the enamel is damaged, so the dentist prescribes special mouthguards that are put on the teeth before going to bed.
always see a doctor at the first sign of caries. The process quickly goes deep into the milk tooth, and can go to the rudiments of the molars.

Remember: timely prevention of oral diseases is a correct bite and a beautiful smile.

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