Baby Teeth

Baby Teeth, are the first set of teeth that need to be taken care of because some parents are not aware of their importance in helping the child chew food, paving the way for permanent teeth, improving speech and pronouncing letters. In this article, we explain everything related to baby teeth, including care, teething stages, and prevention of cavities.

Baby Teeth

Baby Teeth

It is known that baby teeth are not permanent and are called “milk teeth or primary teeth”. They complete their development by the age of 3 years, and their number is 20 teeth. They start shedding when the child reaches 5 or 6 years old, and their shedding is usually completed by the age of 13, to be replaced by permanent teeth, which number 28 teeth. From the age of 17 to 25 years, 4 teeth called wisdom teeth appear.

The milk teeth have shorter roots and are whiter than adult teeth, which appear more yellowish. The outer layer of teeth, called enamel or dentin layer, also differs in that it is thinner and weaker. Additionally, the pulp of the tooth is larger in size, which leads to faster spread of cavities to the nerve. However, modern medicine has been able to detect cavities at an earlier stage before they spread, such as the appearance of white spots on the tooth and others.

“We understand the importance of dental care for infants, and we offer treatment programs specifically designed to meet their unique needs at our Medical Center for Dental Care. You can contact us through the following link.”

What is Teething?

Teething is the beginning of the eruption of milk teeth, and with the appearance of the first tooth, the child’s gums and mouth need to be cared for to enjoy healthy teeth. It is one of the difficult stages that a child goes through due to suffering from fatigue and gum pain. The teething period varies from one child to another, with some experiencing crying, drooling, and many other changes. The mother should follow up with a specialist doctor to help herself and her child during this stage.

It is possible for a child to be born with one or two teeth in their mouth, and this is not strange as some children may start teething before birth. Others start teething from the age of two months, and these two cases are called the early teething stage, which is very natural.

When Do a Child’s Teeth Start to Appear?

There are some cases that experience early teething as mentioned before, and this condition is natural. However, the common occurrence in this stage is teething starting from the age of 6 months. During teething, not all teeth appear at once, but rather according to the following:

1. From the age of 6 to 12 months, the upper and lower jaw teeth start to appear in the middle of the mouth, called the central incisors.
2. From 9 to 12 months, the lateral incisors appear next to the central incisors.
3. From 13 to 19 months, the first molar erupts.
4. From 16 to 22 months, the canines appear.
5. From 25 to 33 months, the second molar erupts.

What are the Signs of Teething in Infants?

The mother cannot see her child’s teeth before they erupt from the gums, but there are some symptoms that appear on the child, either in the mouth or otherwise, including:

• Changes in the gums, such as swelling and redness.
• The child’s desire to bite objects, whether solid or rubber.
• The child becomes moody, either by crying or having mood swings and irritability.
• The child’s unwillingness to sleep and a decrease in the number of sleep hours.
• Changes in the child’s health condition during teething, such as a rise in body temperature, diarrhea, vomiting, and skin rash. In these cases, the mother should visit the doctor for treatment.
• Drooling from the mouth.
• The child rubs their chin during this stage and may also pull their ear.
• Lack of appetite and dissatisfaction with anything.

When Does Teething Pain Start in Infants?

Teething is one of the painful stages in a child’s life, causing the child to cry and feel discomfort. The pain starts with the appearance of symptoms such as swollen and reddened gums, and it can begin from the age of 4 months. To learn more about the shape of children’s gums during teething, read the following article.

Tips for Soothing Gum Pain in Children

It is difficult for parents to see their child suffer during the teething period without doing something to alleviate the pain they are experiencing. They should follow these tips:

• Give the child a teether or any rubber toy to help soothe their gums, but it should be sterilized regularly to prevent transferring bacteria to their mouth. Be mindful of the toy’s size to prevent the child from swallowing it if it is small.
• The mother should be patient to find a suitable way to soothe her child.
• Gently massage the child’s gums with a piece of damp cloth or a cold wet washcloth, as it helps reduce mouth bacteria and soothe the gums. It is also possible to wash and disinfect the hand and massage the painful areas of the gums.
• Give the child cold fruits or a piece of cucumber or carrot to help soothe the pain.
• Avoid using numbing gels applied to the gums as they have many serious consequences.

For more information on this topic, read this article.

How to Clean Baby Teeth

Baby’s milk teeth have a weak and thin enamel and dentin layer, making them prone to cavities. The following steps outline how to clean a baby’s teeth to enjoy healthy teeth:

1. If cleaning the teeth before the first tooth erupts from the gums, the mother should wipe the child’s gums and tongue with a clean cloth to remove milk residue and limit the presence of mouth bacteria that cause cavities.
2. After the milk teeth appear, the mother should clean them twice a day with a silicone baby toothbrush and suitable toothpaste for the first age stage.
3. After the child’s teeth are complete, the mother should provide them with a toothbrush in their favorite color and flavored toothpaste they prefer, so they don’t become averse to brushing their teeth.
4. After cleaning the gums or teeth of the baby, the cloth or toothbrush should be rubbed on their tongue to prevent causing cavities.
5. Ensure regular visits to the dentist for tartar removal.

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How to Clean Baby Teeth

Causes of Tooth Decay in Baby Teeth

Tooth decay in baby teeth is a problem that parents face, and some believe it is not an important issue because they are not permanent teeth. However, on the contrary, they help the child chew food, speak, and prepare the area for the eruption of permanent teeth. This problem has several causes that should be known to prevent cavities:

• The mixture of sugar from sweets and drinks with mouth bacteria increases the production of acids, forming a sticky plaque substance responsible for eroding the enamel layer, leading to tooth decay.
• The mother’s neglect in cleaning the infant’s gums before the eruption of milk teeth.
• Applying honey or sugar to the pacifier and bottle.
• The mother’s negligence in cleaning the infant’s hands and toys, which the child puts in their mouth.
• From the age of one year, not using a fluoride-containing toothpaste.

“Ensuring strong and healthy teeth for your child starts at a young age, and our specialized medical team at the Medical Center for Dental Care will assist you in achieving this with the best care methods.”