Why Baby Teeth Matter

Why Baby Teeth Matter

Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, have several big jobs:

• Chewing and nutrition. Healthy teeth let children chew a wide variety of foods comfortably. Why Baby Teeth Matter

• Speech. Teeth help children form sounds and words clearly as they learn to talk.

• Saving space. Each baby tooth holds a place for the permanent tooth growing underneath it. When a baby tooth is lost too early, nearby teeth can drift into the gap and crowd the permanent tooth as it tries to come in.

• Confidence. A healthy smile helps children feel good about laughing, talking, and making friends.

Some baby teeth, especially the back molars, stay in place until around age 10 to 12. That's a long time to go with a tooth that hurts or has a cavity.

When Baby Teeth Come In and Fall Out

Every child is on their own schedule, but here is a general timeline:

• Around 6 months: The first tooth usually appears, most often one of the lower front teeth. A few months earlier or later is perfectly normal.

• By about age 3: Most children have all 20 of their baby teeth.

• Around age 6: The first baby teeth begin to loosen and fall out, usually starting with the lower front teeth.

• By about age 12: Most children have lost their last baby teeth.

Helping Your Baby Through Teething

New teeth can make little ones fussy, make them drool more than usual, and leave them eager to chew on everything. A few safe ways to ease the discomfort:

• Gently rub your baby's gums with a clean finger.

• Offer a firm rubber teething ring that has been chilled in the refrigerator, not frozen.

• Keep a soft cloth handy to wipe away drool and protect the skin around the mouth.

Skip teething gels and creams that contain benzocaine, as well as teething necklaces and bracelets. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against both for young children. If your baby seems unusually uncomfortable or runs a fever, check with your pediatrician.

Caring for Baby Teeth at Every Age

Good habits can start before the first tooth even shows up.

Before the First Tooth

Wipe your baby's gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings. It keeps the mouth clean and gets your baby used to having their mouth cared for.

From the First Tooth to Age 3

As soon as the first tooth appears, brush twice a day with a soft, child-sized toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice.

Ages 3 to 6

Move up to a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, and teach your child to spit it out rather than swallow it. Once two teeth touch each other, start flossing between them once a day.

Most children need a parent's help to brush well until they're in their early school years. A good rule of thumb is to keep helping until your child can do a thorough job on their own, and to keep checking after that.

Protecting Baby Teeth From Cavities

Cavities are one of the most common childhood health problems, and baby teeth are especially vulnerable because their enamel is thinner than the enamel on adult teeth. A few everyday habits make a big difference:

• No bottles in bed. Putting a baby or toddler to sleep with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice lets sugars sit on the teeth all night.

• Make water the go-to drink. Limit juice and sugary drinks, and offer water between meals.

• Watch the sipping and snacking. Constant sipping from a sippy cup or all-day grazing keeps the teeth under steady attack. Set times for meals and snacks work better.

• Lift the lip. Every so often, gently lift your child's upper lip and look at the teeth. White or brown spots near the gum line can be early signs of decay.

An untreated cavity in a baby tooth can cause pain and infection, and it can affect the healthy permanent tooth developing underneath. That's why we treat problems in baby teeth rather than simply waiting for them to fall out.

Your Child's First Dental Visit

The American Dental Association recommends a child's first dental visit by their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth coming in. That first visit is short, gentle, and mostly about getting comfortable. We'll take a look at your child's teeth and gums, answer your questions, and share tips for the months ahead.

Starting early also means your child grows up seeing the dental office as a friendly, familiar place. That can make every visit that follows easier for both of you.

When Baby Teeth Start to Wiggle

A first loose tooth is an exciting milestone. Let your child wiggle it gently, but avoid pulling it out before it's ready. Most loose baby teeth come out on their own with little or no discomfort. If a permanent tooth starts coming in behind a baby tooth that hasn't fallen out yet, let us know so we can take a look.

Caring for Baby Teeth in Reynoldsburg

At Loper Legacy Dental, we care for patients of all ages, including our very youngest. We're happy to help you care for your child's baby teeth, answer your questions, and make every visit a positive one.

Schedule an Appointment

We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Request an appointment today!

Loper Legacy Dental

(614) 864-77316321 Livingston Ave, Suite A

Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Office Hours

Monday: 8:15am – 6:00pmTuesday and Wednesday: 8:15am – 5:00pmThursday: 2:00pm – 7:00pmFriday: 8:15am – 2:00pm

This article is general information about children's dental health. It is not a substitute for an examination or personalized advice from your dentist or your child's pediatrician.