Children's Teeth

What could be a fonder memory as a child, other than loosing their first tooth? The anticipation leading up to it, with the tooth just barely holding on by a little thread can make any child nervous. I look back and remember being scared and anxious at the same time, hoping that my dad really wouldn't tie a string to my tooth and a door knob, to pull it out as the door was shut! Getting past that stage in my life and developing into my permanent teeth I wonder how children's teeth differ from adults.

The "baby" or "milk" teeth, more properly called deciduous, do more than just allow children to eat solid food and speak properly. Their primary purpose is to hold a space open for the permanent tooth to fill. If pulled too early, that space may close up leading to problems in the future. The 20 deciduous teeth are present in the jaw from birth. Since the jaw bone has not fully grown by birth, it is unable to hold 32 larger, permanent teeth. These will develop over the years and form very closely to the ends of the rootless deciduous teeth. As the permanent teeth develop, they push the baby teeth up, eventually leading to them falling out.

The primary teeth begin to push through the gum line about 6 months after birth, and all are completely erupted near 2 years of age. The teeth erupt in a pattern starting from the center of the mouth, usually the lower teeth first, then their upper counterparts. The American Dental Association has a great animation following the order teeth erupt and the average age. When the teeth begin to fall out, they tend to come out in the same order they grew in. From the ages of 6 to 12 years, the permanent teeth move into the primary spaces, pushing the teeth to fall out, called exfoliation.

The first dentist visit should occur by the first birthday. Once the primary teeth begin erupting, you should contact a pediatric dentist who specializes in children's dentistry. The dentist should be visited twice a year for regular check-ups. These appointments are important because they allow the dentist to make sure the teeth are coming in properly, and to analyze the child's mouth. They will also clean the teeth and if old enough, use a fluoride treatment and take x-rays when needed.

Home oral care should include brushing the primary teeth and gums with an infant toothbrush. Until the age of two, just water should be used to brush. By two or three, a small amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used. Always ask your dentist for specifics concerning your child, as treatment can vary between people. In the next post we will discuss the various dental problems that can arise early in a child's life and how to prevent them.

Sites used for this post: ADA Children, Wikipedia, and University of Maryland Medical Center.