Babies
Babies Teeth
Sometimes parents can get so caught up in their babies’ healthcare that dental care becomes an afterthought. Sunstar has prepared information designed to help your patients with babies appreciate the importance of early dental care. This information is provided for free distribution.
Caring for Baby's TeethBaby teeth are just as important as adult teeth. These teeth start to erupt in the mouth about the age of 4-5 months and all 20 teeth are in at about 2 years of age. Although this is generally the rule, some children start the teething process later. Usually, these teeth are lost around 7 years of age with the last tooth staying in the mouth until 12-14 years of age. During this span of time, the baby or deciduous teeth are important for eating, speaking, smiling, and most importantly, to hold and maintain the spaces for the adult teeth.
Care of these "precious pearls" should include wiping the new tooth with a gauze square or the corner of a washcloth. Tooth brushing should begin as soon as all parts of the tooth cannot be easily wiped. The amount of toothpaste to be used should be no more than the size of a grain of rice. Too much toothpaste is not pleasant for the child, and the frequent ingestion or swallowing of the paste can cause dental fluorosis or "mottling" of the tooth structure. The soft multi-tufted, end-rounded toothbrush is best for all teeth and their surrounding gum tissue. This small brush head is ideal for a child's mouth.
Flossing is also very important to the overall dental health of your child. Whenever two teeth are touching, there is potential for bacteria to be between them. Flossing is best if the child puts his or her head in the parent's lap so the parent has better access to the child's mouth.
Changing the toothbrush frequently is also important for overall dental health. The toothbrush has the potential to harbor bacteria at the very base of the bristles. It is best to change the toothbrush every one to three months, or immediately following the flu, a cold, or throat infection.
What is the normal eruption sequence of baby teeth?
- At about 5-8 months, the first 2 baby central incisors (front teeth) erupt on the bottom.
- From 8-10 months, four upper incisors come in.
- At 10-16 months, the lower lateral incisors and the first baby molars come in.
- At 16-22 months the cuspids ("eye teeth" or "canines") erupt.
- Finally, when the child is 2-3 1/2 years old, all 20 baby teeth have usually arrived. (These age intervals are approximate.)
At what age do babies lose their baby teeth?
Usually, these teeth are lost around 7 years of age with the last tooth staying in the mouth until 12-14 years of age. During this span of time, the baby or deciduous teeth are important for eating, speaking, smiling, and most importantly, to hold and maintain the spaces for the adult teeth.
How do I care for a baby tooth that has just broken through the gum?
Care of these "precious pearls" should include wiping the new tooth with a gauze square or the corner of a washcloth.
When should tooth brushing begin?
Tooth brushing should begin as soon as all parts of the tooth cannot be easily wiped.
Is it important to floss between baby teeth?
Flossing is very important to the overall dental health of your child. Whenever two teeth are touching, there is potential for bacteria to be between them.
What’s the best method for flossing baby teeth?
Flossing is best if the child puts his or her head in the parent's lap so the parent has better access to the child's mouth.
How much toothpaste should I use to clean baby teeth?
The amount of toothpaste to be used should be no more than the size of a grain of rice. Too much toothpaste is not pleasant for the child, and the frequent ingestion or swallowing of the paste can cause dental fluorosis or "mottling" of the tooth structure.
What type of toothbrush is most appropriate for babies?
The soft, multi-tufted, end-rounded toothbrush is best for all teeth and their surrounding gum tissue. This small brush head is ideal for a child's mouth. Go to the Youth Toothbrush section on our website for the recommended age appropriate toothbrushes.
How often should I change my child’s toothbrush?
Changing the toothbrush frequently is important for overall dental health. The toothbrush has the potential to harbour bacteria at the very base of the bristles. It is best to change the toothbrush every one to three months or immediately following the flu, a cold, or throat infection.
At what age should my child first visit the dentist?
Generally speaking, when a child has all of the primary teeth in place it is a good time to have the first oral exam. The first cleaning and check-up appointment can follow a few months later, depending on the child`s maturity and readiness to accept the treatment. The goal is to have your child’s first dental experience be a positive one.
Can children get too much fluoride?
Yes. If excess fluoride is ingested it can result in a condition known as fluorosis. Fluorosis can cause varying degrees of staining and irregular enamel formation in your child's permanent teeth. Most municipal water supplies are fluoridated at safe levels (1.0 ppm). If your water source is an independent well, or if you drink only bottled water, you will have to investigate the level of fluoride that the water contains. Another potential source of excess fluoride is fluoridated toothpaste. Children should use a "grain of rice" size dab of fluoridated toothpaste and expectorate as much as possible. Parents should always supervise young brushers.