Baby Teeth Talk

As a rule, babies are pretty needy creatures. They can't walk, they can't talk, and they can't dress, clean, or fee themselves. So, as a parent, you take on the responsibility of insuring that your child's needs are met. You make sure they get the proper nutrition necessary to grow. You take them to the doctor's office for checkups. And just because they may not have a full set of teeth yet doesn't mean that your baby's oral health should be overlooked.

Generally, a baby's four front teeth begin to appear between the ages of 6 months to 1 year. The remainder of primary (baby) teeth will come in usually in pairs on each side of the jaw, until your child is approximately 3 years old. Most children have a full set of primary teeth by age 3 and will keep those teeth until age 5 or 6 when some will begin to loosen and fall out; and may keep some of these primary teeth until age 10 or 11 when the last of the baby teeth are shed.

While your baby's mouth may be toothless, you still need to make sure they get proper oral care. Begin oral health care as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital by cleaning their gums with a clean gauze pad or washcloth after each feeding. As soon as the first tooth appears, gently brush your baby's teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of water. Don't begin using toothpastes until around age 2, and then only a pea-sized amount is needed. Children should be taught to spit out toothpaste and rinse with water after brushing. Flossing should begin as soon as any two teeth touch. Parents should help their kids until they are old enough to brush & floss on their own - usually by age 6 or 7, and then it is important to monitor your children to make sure that they are brushing and flossing routinely.

As your child's baby teeth begin to come in, they will most likely experience painful gums, and oral discomfort (commonly referred to as "teething"). Signs that teething is causing your baby pain include crankiness, lack of appetite, drooling, pink or red cheeks, coughing or increased chewing or sucking of fingers and/or toys. When your child experiences discomfort from teething there are some things you can do to help alleviate the pain. Giving your baby a cold, wet cloth to suck on can soothe painful gums. Many stores have teething accessories or toys that are designed specifically to help relieve the pressure that comes from teething, such as water-filled plastic devices that can be frozen. All of these products help alleviate the discomfort associated with teething. Teething can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the type of tooth coming in and your child's body.

Primary (baby) teeth are just as important as secondary (adult) teeth because they help kids with biting, chewing and speaking, and even help give the face its shape and form, says the American Dental Association (ADA). Early tooth loss from dental decay can have a serious impact on your child's self-esteem and self-confidence and may affect their social interactions with other children.

Teach your children from an early age the importance of eating a healthy diet, along with practicing routine oral hygiene to maintain healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime of smiles.