Understanding Your Child’s Dental Milestones

Every parent remembers that for the first time, a tooth came out of the small smile of their child with teeth. As children get older, so do their teeth, even the second milestone that all parents remember: the loss of the first tooth and the first visit of the tooth fairy.

What Are Baby Teeth?

Dentists refer to what most people call baby teeth. They are born during the fetal stage of pregnancy and begin to emerge from the gums (or “burst”) around the age of six months. All baby teeth should come out by the end of the second year.

The Function of Baby Teeth

We may ask why a child has teeth if a child is about to lose them. The presence of baby teeth helps in the development of a child’s teeth. As the jaw bones and muscles mature, they make room for permanent teeth by keeping a reasonable distance in the mouth. Baby teeth also act as a drain for permanent teeth to erupt. In addition, newborn teeth are important for the baby’s speech, facial expressions, and ability to chew food.

Baby teeth should be cared for through the best oral hygiene in early life and twice a year from the age of one year or six months after the first tooth appears.

The First Visit of the Tooth Fairy

Above and below the baby’s teeth, permanent teeth grow and develop which are not known in early life. When a child is about six years old, permanent teeth begin to erupt and the roots of the child’s teeth begin to break. This is why, before they fall out, newborn teeth become loose. When a tooth loosens, it usually takes a few months for it to fall out. As a result, a child loses their first tooth between the ages of six and seven, and the child’s teeth continue to fall out by the age of thirteen.

Time For the Eruption

Newborns have 20 more important teeth in their mouths than adults. The upper jaw has ten teeth while the lower jaw has ten. The types of teeth are incisors, canines, and molars, each with different eruption times. The sensors appear between the ages of 6 and 12 months. Canines appear when your baby is 16 to 21 months old. The first molar erupts between the ages of 12 and 19, while the second molar erupts between the ages of 25 and 32.

As the child goes through this process, he undergoes many changes. Short-term health problems in children include fever, abdominal pain, irritability, lethargy, swollen gums, and loose motility. If your child has these problems, take him or her to a doctor in your area. The doctor will prescribe some medicines to help your teen feel more comfortable during this time.

Teeth Eruption Process

After the baby is born, about four teeth come out every six months. All of your baby’s vital teeth will be out by the time he is two to three years old. Primary teeth are lighter in color and smaller than permanent teeth. Typically, the first two incisors of the lower jaw erupt first, followed by the first two incisors of the upper jaw, both teeth erupting in pairs. By the time your child is four years old, his or her facial bones and jaws will begin to form, which will provide space between the basic teeth so that permanent teeth will erupt in those areas as they get older.

Communicating With Your Child About Loose Teeth through Pediatric Dentist Indianapolis IN

The first experience of a child with loose teeth can be frightening. You can help them relax by telling them ahead of time what will happen and why. If your family likes it, you can also enjoy introducing them to the “Tooth Fairy” and discussing why their visit is so exciting. Sharing childhood memories of losing a child’s teeth can deepen your relationship with your child and make the process less frightening and more enjoyable for them.

When The First Tooth Fairy Falls Out, What Do You Do?

Bleeding is usually treated by swishing the mouth with water. If the bleeding persists, your youngster should bite down on gauze. It’s recommended to see your dentist if the bleeding lasts longer than an hour. It’s critical to look after the permanent teeth that are coming in after the baby teeth have all fallen out.

Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Healthy by Pediatric Dentistry Indianapolis IN

  • Clean your baby’s gums at least twice a day with a soft, damp cloth, especially after feeding or at night for clean teeth.
  • Once your child’s vital teeth are fully formed, brush their teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Brush your child’s teeth until he is old enough to hold the brush in his hand, which is usually 5-6 years old.
  • Use fluoridated toothpaste to strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay.
  • When a child’s gums are preparing to get their first tooth, they often feel sensitive and swollen. In this case, you can use your clean fingers to massage your gums to relieve your child’s pain.
  • If your child has cavities in their teeth, make sure they have been treated by a dentist. The cavity can infect the roots of their teeth and send germs into their permanent teeth, which can cause extra cavities or gum disease as they get older.
  • Keep sodas, fruit juices, and other sugary beverages away from your child’s teeth since they might cause decay. On your baby’s pacifier, don’t add anything sweet (sugar or honey).
  • Because basic teeth are not as strong as permanent teeth, you should never give your child something difficult to chew or use because it can cause toothache. You should also keep hard and small objects or toys away from your child because, with more need to chew, he may put the object in his mouth or worse, swallow it.

So, there you have it: a few crucial points to remember from the Tooth Fairy. Follow the tooth fairy’s suggestion and take your kid to the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears, or by their first birthday, and then twice a year afterward.