Many parents wonder what to expect for their children's oral changes. Some parents are under the misconception that because the primary teeth will later be replaced by permanent adult teeth, that the young teeth don't matter as much. However, LITTLE teeth play an BIG part in a child's development.
TOOTH GROWTH: A baby's first teeth will usually begin to appear around 6 months of age, although some babies start teething earlier or later. The bottom central incisors make their first appearance, and then the top arriving shortly after in the same pattern. By his/her 3rd birthday, your child will likely have all 20 of the primary teeth.
TEETH FALLING OUT: In general, the same order that the baby teeth grew in will be a similar order that the teeth fall out, making way for permanent adult teeth. At age 6, the bottom and top incisors will make their grand exit, and baby teeth will continue falling out until age 12. In their place will be beautiful big pearly whites, which will be a part of your child's smile for the rest of their life.
IMPORTANCE OF BABY TEETH: It is important to take care of your child's baby teeth for numerous reasons. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends visiting a dentist when your child gets his/her first teeth, and certainly by age 1. Dental Carries is one of the leading diseases, which results in tooth decay. Good oral health can positively impact the entire child's health. Developmentally, little teeth play a big role in speech, eating, building a strong self esteem, and making room for permanent adult teeth. Poor oral health can lead to painful toothaches. We recommend starting a relationship with a pediatric dentist at a young age to set the foundation for a lifetime of oral health.
CREATE GOOD HABITS: Be sure to brush twice daily, and floss each day. Make an appointment to visit your pediatric dentist twice annually to ensure proper dental growth and health. Read some of our other blog posts for ideas on making oral habits FUN.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP! To learn all the details about your child's TOOTH TIMELINE, talk to our dentists Dr. Fry and Dr. Bradley or any of our friendly members of our Sunshine Team. Call Sunshine Children's Dentistry at (910) 762-7736. We look forward to hearing from you! MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
