The teething journey is one that all children must traverse, and as parents, it’s up to us to lend a helping hand! With that said, knowledge is power, and knowing when baby teeth come in and fall out can help parents navigate this significant stage in their child’s development with confidence and ease. Continue reading to learn more, so that you can ensure optimal oral health for your little one as their smile takes form!
A Closer Look at Baby Teeth
Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, typically start to emerge around 6 months of age, though the exact timing can vary, and some children don’t get all these teeth until they’re 3 years old. Children are born with 20 baby teeth, and they have a pretty important job; they set up your child’s mouth for their future permanent teeth.
However, the process by which children’s baby teeth erupt, known as teething, is notoriously uncomfortable for many infants. Many parents often provide their child with a teething toy during this period, which is a toy that soothes the discomfort caused by teething.
Between the ages of 6 and 12, children have a combination of baby and adult teeth since the former begins to be gradually replaced by the latter. Usually, the front baby teeth are lost first with the canines and molars following suit, though this can also vary much like the rest of the teething process. Most often, the lower teeth erupt first, and you can expect around 4 teeth to erupt every 6 months or so until all 32 have arrived.
The Importance of Teething
Baby teeth are essentially placeholders for the future adult teeth, meaning they should be cared for just as diligently as their future replacements. Be sure that you’re helping your child take care of their developing smile by assisting and encouraging daily oral hygiene, keeping up with routine preventive care, and monitoring the teething process. If your child is still very young and their teeth are still erupting, a damp, clean washcloth can be used to wipe down their gums after feeding sessions; however, if they’re old enough to brush and floss, this will deter dental issues from developing as they navigate the teething process.
Understanding the timeline for baby teeth’s arrival and departure can help you support your child through each stage of this process; remember, you’ve done it yourself, so you’re the best person to stay on top of things and help their smile take shape!
About the Practice
Our team has proudly served patients and families in the New Britain, CT community for several years, and we’d be honored for you to trust us with all of your child’s dental needs. We proudly offer a wide range of pediatric dental services for children of all ages. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule an appointment, feel free to visit us online or call us today for further information or assistance. Telephone: (860) 224-2419.