Baby Teeth

When do baby teeth first come in?  Usually when the baby is between 6 months and 1 year.

Most children will have a full set of primary teeth (20 of them in total) by the time they are 3 years old.  All children are different, but usually the first baby teeth to come in are in the front of the mouth, giving your child that super cute look when they smile.

Some babies experience pain when their baby teeth are coming through.  Gently rubbing your child’s gums with a clean finger or a cool wet gauze can relieve some of their discomfort.  A teething ring can also be helpful.  If your child is still really fussy and in pain, call your dentist or doctor.

It’s really important to care for your baby’s teeth from the very beginning.  When the baby teeth first appear, you can start gently brushing them but stay away from adult toothpastes containing fluoride.  If your baby swallows toothpaste that contains fluoride, they can get an upset stomach so use kid’s toothpaste, natural toothpaste with no fluoride, or just use a wet toothbrush without any toothpaste.

Brushing baby teeth twice a day is really important since decay can occur as soon as teeth appear.

Baby teeth are very important to your baby’s health and development.  They help him/her chew, speak, and smile.  They also hold space in the jaw to allow adult teeth to come in properly later on.

When a baby tooth is lost too early, adult teeth can drift, which makes it difficult for them to erupt later on.

When a baby tooth is decayed, it can cause an infection, which is not only painful but dangerous to your child’s health.

Seeing your dentist on a regular basis is important to not only catch any problems early, but help you prevent more damage later on.