Baby teeth are essential to your child’s health. They help babies chew, speak and smile. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth growing under the gums. Starting infants with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades. In this blog, you will learn important facts about baby teething.
When does a baby start teething & how long does teething last?
The teething process for babies usually begins when a baby is between 6 months to 1 year of age & most children have a complete set of 20 teeth by the time they are 3 years old.
Common teething symptoms
- Sore or tender gums
- Loss of appetite
- Chewing on things
- An increase in drooling and irritability
- Child may have trouble sleeping
- Child’s temperature could rise slightly
How can you help your baby during teething?
Gently rubbing your child’s gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon, or a wet gauze pad can be soothing. A clean teether for your child to chew on may also help; however, please look for teethers made of solid rubber, and avoid liquid-filled teething rings or plastic objects that could break. Please contact your dentist if your child develops a fever, diarrhea, or rash, as these are not typical teething symptoms.
When should a baby have its first dental visit?
Babies should have their first dental visit no later than their first birthday or after the first tooth comes in . The dentist will check for cavities or other problems & educate you on how to clean baby teeth properly or how to handle habits that can lead to dental issues in the future, for example, thumb sucking or baby bottle tooth decay.
How do you take care of baby’s first teeth?
Make sure you take care of your baby’s teeth right from the start. Those tiny teeth hide beneath the gums even if you can’t see them. Here are some tips to help you protect your baby’s teeth once they start coming in.
- For children younger than 3 years old; start brushing their teeth twice a day, morning & night using fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice.
- For children 3 to 6 years of age; brush their teeth twice a day, morning & night, using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- At around the age of eight years, children have developed the fine motor skills needed for tooth brushing. However, supervision is often needed past this age until you are sure they can do it well by themselves.
When do baby teeth fall out?
Baby teeth start falling out when your child is around 6 or 7 years old & these teeth will gradually be replaced with permanent adult teeth.
Where can you find a kids Dentist?
At Sage Dental we have multiple pediatric dentists within our network of 80+ offices. Since they visit multiple offices every week, you can schedule your child’s appointment either at your own office, or one that’s close to you. Find a location near you!
Resources:
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/baby-teeth
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/toothbrushing-children
