From infancy through childhood, the eruption and eventual loss of baby teeth (primary teeth) all provide important developmental milestones for children. Although baby teeth are eventually lost and replaced with permanent teeth, it’s still important for parents to understand how to care for the oral health of their children. This article offers a general overview of baby teeth and baby teeth care for parents.
Dental Guide for Parents: When to Expect Baby Teeth (Eruption and Loss)
Every child is different and develops on a slightly different schedule. This rule applies to baby teeth, too. So, if your child’s development strays a little from this general tooth eruption/shed schedule, we encourage you to talk with our dentist (or your child’s pediatrician) about the variance, but don’t worry too much.
Baby Teeth Eruption Schedule
Six to 10 Months - Lower central incisors (lower front teeth)
Eight to 12 Months - Upper central incisors (upper front teeth)
Nine to 13 Months - Upper lateral incisors (teeth adjacent to the front teeth)
10 to 16 Months - Lower lateral incisors
12 to 18 Months - First molars
16 to 22 Months - Cuspids (canines)
23 to 33 Months - Second molars
Baby Teeth Shed Schedule (Permanent Teeth Eruption)
Six to Seven Years - Lower central incisors
Seven to Eight Years - Upper central incisors and lateral incisors
Nine to 11 Years - Canines and first molars
10 to 12 Years - Second molars
The third molars (wisdom teeth) typically begin erupting in the late teens or early adulthood. These do not replace any baby teeth and are often removed to prevent oral health issues.
The Importance of Baby Teeth Care: Preventing Decay
Parents often wonder why such a strong emphasis is placed on dental care for teeth that are eventually going to be shed. There are a lot of reasons why dental care for baby teeth is vital to your child’s health and development:
Good oral health prevents painful dental problems and supports good general health.
Baby teeth act as placeholders for permanent teeth, helping the jaw develop correctly and guiding permanent teeth into the proper positions.
Baby teeth support proper speech development.
Baby teeth are necessary for chewing and getting proper nutrition.
Taking care of baby teeth teaches children healthy oral hygiene habits.
Baby Teeth Care Tips: Turning Oral Care Into a Fun Routine
Caring for baby teeth provides an opportunity for parents to promote good oral hygiene habits in their children while teaching them about the importance of dental care. We understand that getting a young child to brush and floss their teeth (or cooperate while you brush and floss their teeth) can be difficult, but there are a few tricks that can make it more fun for your child while encouraging them to actively participate.
Let your child pick out their toothbrush and toothpaste to give them a sense of control and help them get excited about using their new oral hygiene tools.
Play two-minute teeth-brushing songs.
Play two minutes of dancing music and dance while brushing.
Play the sugar bug game. (Their mouth is filled with sugar bugs that they need to defeat by brushing.)
Use age-appropriate toothpaste (fluoride content) and toothbrush (size).
Use a star chart to track and reward your child’s consistency for positive reinforcement.
Tell stories about dental care.
Play dentist. Set up a pretend dental exam room with stuffed animals or take turns letting your child inspect your teeth before you examine theirs.
It’s also important to be aware of your child’s age and developmental stage so that you don’t ask your child to take full responsibility for caring for their teeth too soon.
When to Schedule Your Baby’s First Dental Visit: Pediatric Dental Care at Janis Dental
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first dental visit by the time they celebrate their first birthday or when the first tooth erupts (whichever happens sooner). This initial dental visit largely acts as an opportunity for screening your child for the earliest signs of oral health issues that could impact nutrition, speech, or oral development. During this initial dental visit, our dentist will evaluate your child’s oral health and dental development and talk with you about how to take care of your baby’s first teeth.
To learn more about the importance of baby teeth care or to schedule your baby’s first dental visit, we invite you to contact Janis Dental today.