As a parent, you want to know the best ways to care for your child’s smile, especially when they’re teething or their baby teeth are emerging. Baby teeth are important to your child’s development. As your pediatric dentist in Mt. Airy, MD, we want to help you learn how to maintain your child’s smile and understand more about baby teeth.
Baby Teeth Facts from Your Mt. Airy Pediatric Dentist
It’s important as a parent to know how your child’s oral health will develop to get a better timeline of what to do during each stage as they grow. Oral health care is especially important as children begin teething and require toothbrushes. Baby teeth:
Emerge Between 6 and 12 Months
You will begin to see your child’s baby teeth emerge between six and twelve months. However, your child’s teeth can emerge as early as two months or as late as ten months. Children will begin to lose their baby teeth around age six and gain all their permanent teeth after age twelve.
Can Cause Pain During Teething
Teething occurs when the baby teeth begin to emerge. During this period, it’s important to know the signs of pain due to teething. Your child may cry, drool, or begin putting things in their mouth to teeth. It is not safe to use benzocaine products for children under the age of two. Instead, place a damp washcloth in the fridge so you can gently rub their gums and relieve their pain. Teething rings can also help during this time.
Require Care like Permanent Teeth
Even before your child’s baby teeth come in, you need to clean their gums with a damp cloth. Once your child’s baby teeth emerge, gently brush them with an infant toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Baby teeth are prone to infection like permanent teeth, requiring care to stay clean and healthy.
Require Protection Against Baby Bottle Decay
Baby bottle decay is a problem that occurs when parents send their children to bed with baby formula. The sugars in the baby formula can coat the mouth if left for a long time. Children can experience symptoms of gum disease and even tooth decay in their primary teeth due to “baby bottle decay.” Clean your child’s teeth after you give them formula, and do not send them to bed with a bottle.
Act As Placeholders for Permanent Teeth
How your child’s palate develops, and permanent teeth emerge mostly depends on their baby teeth. This is why it is important to care for primary teeth. Baby teeth save space for permanent teeth. Their development and care can impact permanent teeth.
Do you have questions for our office about baby teeth? Call (301) 781-5337. You can also schedule your child’s first dental visit online at Mt. Airy Children’s Dental Associates.