Baby teeth are 20 tiny teeth that help in children’s phonetics, digestion, smile, and confidence build-up. It is very important to the eruption and shedding of baby teeth at the correct expected time to avoid future dental problems.
BABY TEETH STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
Baby teeth are similar in look to permanent teeth only small in size and less in number. Not much stronger than permanent teeth because they are temporary and replaced by permanent teeth. Baby teeth are divided into three categories according to function. Front teeth (incisors) are small-size and used for cutting and aesthetic, they are 8 in number 4 in the upper jaw and 4 in the lower jaw. Sharp teeth are also known as canines used for tearing, they are 4 in number. Molars are wider teeth used for grinding purposes, they are 8 in number.
Baby teeth help in grinding food and ease little tummy digestion and also help in maintaining the space for permanent teeth as the jaw is growing. It provides more space for large permanent ones that replace all baby teeth with growing age. Baby teeth should erupt and shed off at the correct time or expected time otherwise it disturbs teeth alignment in permanent teeth.
WHEN DO THEY GROW OUT?
Baby teeth are 20 in number. They grow out in different stages from 8th months to 29th months of age. Mostly first baby which mostly comes at the front lower jaw is expected to grow out in the 8th month, and at the age of the 13th month, the front teeth set which consist of 8 baby teeth are expected to come out.
After that in the month of the 16th, 4 wider baby teeth in both jaws at the back corner of the baby’s mouth come out, remaining 8 teeth are expected to come between 19 to 29 months of age.
The baby teeth eruption calendar is important if the baby teeth are not growing out at their expected time, and concerns the dentist to evaluate the cause behind late eruptions.
Sometimes thick gum produces hindrance in the late growth of baby teeth, or maybe baby teeth are not in the correct position under the gum, or naturally missing. An early visit to a paediatric dentist can help in resolving the causes of late grow out teeth
WHEN TO TAKE YOUR BABY TO A DENTIST?
You should set an appointment with a dentist for your baby at six to eight months when the first teeth are coming out in the baby’s mouth so the dentist can examine the baby’s teeth, and ensure that baby teeth are erupting at the correct position. Early dental visits can preserve tooth decay in baby teeth, tooth decay, and the cavity is more common in baby age. Parents mostly visit the dentist for tooth decay or cavity at 4 to 5 years and unfortunately, the child has to go through a painful procedure to save the teeth with limited options.
There are many benefits of an early toddler dental visit, it reduces children’s dental treatment fear, familiar with dental check-up instruments, the dentist also guides the parents on how to care for baby teeth, oral hygiene maintenance with baby teeth, control sugar diet, and transform their feeding from bottle to cup.
Plan an orthodontic visit at age of 7 years for early screening of permanent teeth alignment and jaw growth, it would help in making your children smile perfectly. If you are looking for a dentist in Five Dock you can request an appointment with us.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF BABY TEETH?
- Baby teeth care starts just after the first teeth erupt in the baby’s mouth.
- Clean the baby’s mouth with the help of sterile soft cotton especially at bedtime or use a soft toothbrush.
- Limit bottle feeding, it affects the front teeth and causes tooth decay.
- Introduce the uses of a toothbrush with soft small bristles and guide them on the correct way to teeth cleaning at age of 4 to 5 years.
- Brushing twice a day, especially at night
- Limit candy, bakery, and sugar items.
- Visit the dentist regularly and apply sealant or fluoride therapy on the dentist’s recommendation.
WHEN THEY ARE REPLACED BY PERMANENT TEETH?
Baby teeth are shed by the eruption of permanent teeth. First baby teeth shade off at the age of 6 to 7 years and permanent teeth replace them. All baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth at the age of 12 to 14 years. Baby teeth should be shed at the correct expected time, early shedding and abnormal retained baby teeth both can cause problems for permanent teeth and distribute their alignment.