Your Guide to Baby Teeth for National Children’s Dental Health Month

If your child’s baby teeth are just going to fall out anyway, should you even bother taking care of them? This is just one of the many questions that your children’s dentist can answer when you take your little one in for their first appointment. Since February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, it’s the perfect time to talk all about baby teeth and how you can take care of your son’s or daughter’s precious smile.

When Can You Expect Baby Teeth to Come In?

Your baby’s pearly whites typically start to erupt (come in) between the ages of six months to one year. By the time your child is three, they should have a full set of baby teeth. Every child is different, but you can usually expect the first teeth to come in to be the top and bottom front teeth.

It’s completely normal for your child to have tender or sore gums when their teeth first erupt. This can be remedied by gently rubbing their gums with a wet piece of gauze. Letting your baby chew on a clean teething ring can also alleviate their soreness. If your son or daughter is still cranky and in pain, consult your family dentist.

When Should You First Take Your Child to the Dentist?

You should schedule your child’s first dental checkup by their first birthday, or when their first baby tooth comes in, whichever comes sooner. The dentist can check the health of your baby’s gums and give you some advice on how to properly take care of them when they erupt. They should also give you a guideline on when you can expect certain teeth to grow in.

Why Take Care of Baby Teeth When They’re Just Going to Fall Out?

It might be tempting to forgo brushing and flossing your little one’s teeth. After all, they’re just going to be replaced by permanent teeth in a few years, so why bother cleaning them?

As it turns out, your child’s baby teeth are very important to the development of their adult teeth. When a baby tooth is lost before it’s naturally supposed to fall out, the underlying adult teeth can drift into the gap, making it difficult for permanent teeth to find room when it’s time for them to erupt. This can lead to overcrowded or crooked teeth. To prevent the need for orthodontic treatment down the road, start your baby off with adequate dental care.

About the Author

Dr. Ukti Phadnis is a family dentist in Wethersfield, CT with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Connecticut’s School of Dental Medicine. Her practice, Wethersfield Dental Group, will do everything in their power to make sure your child’s smile grows in happily and healthily. To learn more about how Dr. Phadnis can hell ensure proper oral development in your little one, contact her practice at (860) 400-3007.