4 Facts About Children’s Teeth

Your baby’s first tooth is a huge milestone, both for you and for your child. Those precious little pearly whites will be with your child until he or she is 5 or 6 years old—that’s a long time to have something you might not know much about! Here are four facts about children’s teeth that you should know.

1. Though baby teeth are not permanent teeth, they still need careful care, cleaning, and attention. Even before the first tooth erupts, you should wipe your baby’s gums with a wash cloth or gauze after each feeding. Once teeth begin to emerge, you should brush them with a fluoride-free toothpaste and make sure to talk to your children’s dentist to learn when to switch to a fluoride toothpaste.
2. Speaking of children’s dentistry, kids need to see a dentist around their first birthday. Even if all their teeth are not in yet, establishing good oral health habits and letting your child become familiar with the dentist is very important. Problems with baby teeth can lead to problems with permanent teeth, so don’t put this appointment off.
3. Children have 20 primary teeth, and usually they are all in by age 3. The first teeth to come in are generally the front teeth, then the next teeth over, the incisors, and so on, moving towards the back of the mouth. Baby teeth begin to fall out around the same time your child makes that all-important trip to kindergarten, and then permanent teeth start to grow in, with most adult teeth being in place by age 13.
4. Losing a baby tooth too early can lead to spacing problems when permanent teeth begin to come in. To prevent this, you should take your child to the children’s dentistry office as soon as possible if a tooth is knocked out. Your dentist will decide if a spacer is needed.

New Horizons is your source of quality children’s dentistry services, as well as general dentistry procedures. Contact our offices today for more information and to schedule an appointment.