When do baby teeth appear?
The first baby teeth can appear any time between birth and 3 years old. They usually erupt into the mouth in a specific order with the front incisors first followed by the first molars at the back and then the teeth in-between to follow; but this can vary between different children. Sometimes children get little white cysts on their gums which resemble teeth starting to erupt but are not. These are termed Epsteins pearls, they do not require treatment and will disappear after a few weeks.
When are baby teeth lost?
Normally the first baby tooth is lost at age 6 (range of ages 5-8) and will be the very front top teeth. The first adult molar teeth will come into the mouth at around the same time but they erupt behind all the baby teeth. The other baby teeth are lost between the ages of 6 and 12 as the adult teeth come into the mouth. Some baby teeth may remain longer, usually if their adult successor is missing or they are out of their normal position. Also if your child has to have a baby tooth removed early then the succeeding adult tooth may be delayed in erupting into the mouth
How many baby teeth should we get?
we should get 20 baby teeth which dentists assign the letter a-e in each corner. E being at the back and A at the front. Usually we will get all of our baby teeth even if we are missing some adult teeth but some children will be missing baby teeth. Occasionally baby teeth may not separate before erupting and so erupt as one large tooth with a dip in the middle instead of two separate teeth. This can happen in adult teeth also.
Teething
All Babies/Children will experience teething and it will cause varying amounts of discomfort from none to severe. There are a number of ways to help ease the discomfort and these are:
1. Teething Rings and toys - For your baby to chew on and ease discomfort while distracting them from the pain of teething. This can be chilled in the fridge for additional relief but NOT IN THE FREEZER as it can damage their gums.
2. Teething gel - this must be specific to babies and young children (not adult oral gel). You should ask your pharmacist about these as they can vary considerably with some being antiseptic whilst others not.
3. Chewing items - if your baby starts chewing on things e.g fingers, toys; this is a good sign that they are teething. You should give them healthy things to chew such as raw carrots or even crusty bread but keep a very close eye on them, NEVER leave them when they are eating in case they choke.
4. Painkillers - Medicine designed for your age of child should be used only. This will most likely be Calpol for children and will state the ages and doses on the bottle. Always consult your pharmacist if you are at all unsure and they will be able to help you. These medicines will contain small dosages of paracetemol and or ibuprofen to ease your childs pain.
AVOID adult painkillers and ASPIRIN at all costs as it is not indicated and can be dangerous if given to children!
5. Cool sugar free drinks, such as tepid temperature WATER is good for relieving pain and discomfort also. Any drinks need to be sugar free to avoid tooth decay.
6. Distracting your baby/child with playing and comforting can often be a welcome relief from teething pain as they are distracted and if the pain is mild may well forget about it.
7. Wipe your babies/childs face regularly as they will dribble more during teething and are at increased risk of teething rash around their mouth.
1. Teething Rings and toys - For your baby to chew on and ease discomfort while distracting them from the pain of teething. This can be chilled in the fridge for additional relief but NOT IN THE FREEZER as it can damage their gums.
2. Teething gel - this must be specific to babies and young children (not adult oral gel). You should ask your pharmacist about these as they can vary considerably with some being antiseptic whilst others not.
3. Chewing items - if your baby starts chewing on things e.g fingers, toys; this is a good sign that they are teething. You should give them healthy things to chew such as raw carrots or even crusty bread but keep a very close eye on them, NEVER leave them when they are eating in case they choke.
4. Painkillers - Medicine designed for your age of child should be used only. This will most likely be Calpol for children and will state the ages and doses on the bottle. Always consult your pharmacist if you are at all unsure and they will be able to help you. These medicines will contain small dosages of paracetemol and or ibuprofen to ease your childs pain.
AVOID adult painkillers and ASPIRIN at all costs as it is not indicated and can be dangerous if given to children!
5. Cool sugar free drinks, such as tepid temperature WATER is good for relieving pain and discomfort also. Any drinks need to be sugar free to avoid tooth decay.
6. Distracting your baby/child with playing and comforting can often be a welcome relief from teething pain as they are distracted and if the pain is mild may well forget about it.
7. Wipe your babies/childs face regularly as they will dribble more during teething and are at increased risk of teething rash around their mouth.
Brushing childrens teeth
Ages 0-3: From the first sign of erupting teeth in your child's mouth, children's toothpaste (1000ppm fluoride concentration) and a small headed soft toothbrush should be used
Ages 3-6: A smear of adult toothpaste (1350ppm minimum fluoride concentration) and a soft small headed toothbrush
Ages 6 plus: Use a normal adult toothpaste (pea sized amount, minimum 1350ppm fluoride concentration) and a normal size head soft toothbrush.
Note that if your child is at high risk of tooth decay as pointed out by your dentist then they may use adult toothpaste from age 3. Your dentist may want to supplement this with a fluoride mouthwash. In severe cases for older children a prescription toothpaste containing either 2800ppm or 5000ppm fluoride can be given or fluoride vanish containing higher fluoride concentrations still can be applied to your childrens teeth at their dental visits.
Ages 3-6: A smear of adult toothpaste (1350ppm minimum fluoride concentration) and a soft small headed toothbrush
Ages 6 plus: Use a normal adult toothpaste (pea sized amount, minimum 1350ppm fluoride concentration) and a normal size head soft toothbrush.
Note that if your child is at high risk of tooth decay as pointed out by your dentist then they may use adult toothpaste from age 3. Your dentist may want to supplement this with a fluoride mouthwash. In severe cases for older children a prescription toothpaste containing either 2800ppm or 5000ppm fluoride can be given or fluoride vanish containing higher fluoride concentrations still can be applied to your childrens teeth at their dental visits.
What is bad for baby teeth?
Juice of any kind, Fruit squash, Flavoured water containing sugar, sweets, having a bottle after age 1 and especially having a bottle at night, sweet foods, too much fruit especially dried fruit, formula unless it is completely sugar free, not toothbrushing properly, not toothbrushing at all , sugar containing medicines, eating rusks as all contain sugar.
What is good for baby teeth?
Breast feeding with breast milk provides the best nutrition for babies, Drinking from a free flowing cup rather than a bottle from 6 months is ideal and drinking from a bottle should be discouraged completely after 1 year of age. If not breast milk then milk and water are the best drinks for babies teeth and health. Good brushing technique, brushing twice a day as above with supervised brushing up-to the age of 7 and beyond if deemed necessary. Avoid adding any sugar to weaning foods and drinks. As soon as teeth erupt in the mouth brush them twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste, reduce any sugary foods and drinks in the diet including flavoured water and ensure any medications given are sugar free - confirm this with your pharmacist or GP if you are unsure.
Can decay, abscess or trauma to baby teeth damage adult teeth?
This Depends:
1. Decay - on its own, unlikely to cause damage but a decayed hole in the back of a baby molar may trap food which then causes decay in the first adult molar tooth behind the baby molar. this can happen anywhere in the mouth also. Your child will then require a filling on their adult tooth.
2. Abscess - yes, infection beneath a baby tooth when the adult tooth is developing can cause damage to the developing tooth underneath and so the baby tooth will need extracting.
3. Trauma - if you take a knock to the baby tooth then the initial knock may hit the baby tooth up into the developing adult tooth, if this happens then the damage is done instantly and only recognised when the adult tooth erupts into the mouth. If the tooth is knocked straight up or knocked to stick out of the mouth more, then damage to the adult tooth is more likely. If knocked back then the root of the baby tooth will deflect away from the developing tooth and so there is less chance of damage to the adult tooth.
1. Decay - on its own, unlikely to cause damage but a decayed hole in the back of a baby molar may trap food which then causes decay in the first adult molar tooth behind the baby molar. this can happen anywhere in the mouth also. Your child will then require a filling on their adult tooth.
2. Abscess - yes, infection beneath a baby tooth when the adult tooth is developing can cause damage to the developing tooth underneath and so the baby tooth will need extracting.
3. Trauma - if you take a knock to the baby tooth then the initial knock may hit the baby tooth up into the developing adult tooth, if this happens then the damage is done instantly and only recognised when the adult tooth erupts into the mouth. If the tooth is knocked straight up or knocked to stick out of the mouth more, then damage to the adult tooth is more likely. If knocked back then the root of the baby tooth will deflect away from the developing tooth and so there is less chance of damage to the adult tooth.
When to first take children to the dentist and why?
Children should be taken to the dentist from as early an age as possible, to get them used to the surroundings and used to seeing the dentist and seeing what their siblings and parents have done From around the ages of 1-2, the dentist should be trying to have a look in their mouth and then on a 6 monthly basis from this point onwards. If the child needs any treatment later on then they are accustomed to the environment and less likely to need a general anaesthetic for treatment.
They are also less likely to need treatment with regular attending so it is a win win situation. Do not wait until all their baby teeth are through or worse still until the adult teeth start coming through as any anxiety they may have about the dentist will be increased at this later stage having not become accommodated to the environment when they were very young. Also if you wait too long decay that could have been treated may have progressed and your child may not have a choice but to have a general anaesthetic for extraction of baby teeth.
They are also less likely to need treatment with regular attending so it is a win win situation. Do not wait until all their baby teeth are through or worse still until the adult teeth start coming through as any anxiety they may have about the dentist will be increased at this later stage having not become accommodated to the environment when they were very young. Also if you wait too long decay that could have been treated may have progressed and your child may not have a choice but to have a general anaesthetic for extraction of baby teeth.
Should I be in the room during treatment?
If your child is having treatment and is not apparently nervous but you, as the parent, are anxious it may be best not to stay in the room as it may make an otherwise fairly co-operative child less co-operative. So do not be offended if your dentist or dental nurse suggests you wait in the waiting room or outside the door of the surgery.
If you are not nervous or if the child is slightly or somewhat nervous/anxious then it is often best to stay in the room and offer reassurance but please try to avoid using any words that may alert your child such as: needle, injection and pain. Please refrain also from telling any stories about how bad an experince you may have had at the dentist previously.
If you are not nervous or if the child is slightly or somewhat nervous/anxious then it is often best to stay in the room and offer reassurance but please try to avoid using any words that may alert your child such as: needle, injection and pain. Please refrain also from telling any stories about how bad an experince you may have had at the dentist previously.
Summary
We hope you have taken something out of the information above. It is important to remember that the dentists aim is to treat your child safely with as little distress and discomfort as possible. Whilst your aim is to look after your child's teeth as best you can whilst minimising their pain and discomfort also. You can see we have the same aim and we can work together so that everyone is happy and healthy. You can even prepare your child before their first visit to the dentist by watching the Peppa Pig Video above!
If you have any further questions about baby teeth please do not hesitate to ask our dentists by clicking below