A teething baby can be a challenge for first-time parents. Teething is a vital part of infant and child development. If your child has begun the teething process, or if they’re only missing a couple of teeth to complete their smile, you might be wondering if your child’s teeth are coming in on the right track. Although there is a basic teething schedule that parents can follow, all parents should remember that every child is a little different. If you have questions about the timing of your baby or child’s teeth, feel free to ask us your questions at All Star Dental.
Your child’s first tooth will begin to come above the gum line around 6 months of age, but for some, it can be as late as 10 months. The first tooth to erupt is usually the bottom front tooth, also called a central incisor. Once both bottom front teeth have come in, the top two front teeth will quickly follow in the next few months. These four teeth will be the first to come in. And as soon as your child has teeth, it is recommended that you schedule a dental appointment. Some parents think that they should wait until their babies have more teeth, but to ensure that their first teeth are healthy, it is recommended that dental appointments are scheduled early on.
Baby teeth (or primary teeth) include 10 top teeth and 10 bottom teeth. Children typically have this full set of teeth between 2 and 3 years of age. Once the front 4 teeth have come in, the rest of the teeth will follow suit. Nearly all teeth come through in pairs, with the molars being last to make an appearance. After this process, baby teeth will be replaced by adult teeth (permanent teeth) as your child gets older.
Primary teeth are eventually replaced by adult teeth. The process of primary teeth falling out and adult teeth replacing their spot typically starts at around 6 or 7 years old. The reason for the change is the growing facial structure in a child that becomes too big to hold small primary teeth. Adult teeth are bigger and they’re the teeth that your child will have for the rest of their life.
Good dental hygiene is important for both primary and adult teeth. Just because primary teeth are not permanent, doesn’t mean they should not be taken care of. First, your child will have their primary teeth for 6-8 years of their life, and the effects of not taking care of primary teeth can negatively impact adult teeth. Primary teeth reserve the space in your child’s mouth for their adult teeth, so having those teeth fall out early or get cavities is not good for the child’s oral development. Practice your child’s oral care routine with them twice each day. This will help promote positive habits for when are older and they have their adult teeth.
At All Star Dental we are here to help your children grow from getting their first teeth to when they need their wisdom teeth removed. We can help them develop good oral habits and provide regular cleanings. If you have questions about why your child’s teeth aren’t coming in on schedule, we can take X-rays and help you understand what might be wrong. Give us a call to set up an appointment.
