It’s unfortunate, but many parents don’t realize the importance of their child’s early oral development until their children’s dentist in Rowlett informs them about it. They assume that baby teeth will fall out eventually, so there’s no reason to make sure they erupt and fall out at the right time. If you’ve recently had a child or you simply want to learn more about the teething process, keep reading.
From the moment your child’s first tooth erupts to the moment their final baby tooth falls out, your dentist is prepared to help you every step of the way.
Which Teeth Erupt First?
After being born, babies have no visible teeth. As a general rule of thumb, look out for your baby’s first tooth once they hit around six months of age. Over time, teeth will erupt during the first few years of their life. Once they get to about three years of age, all 20 of their teeth will have erupted. With that being said, don’t stress if your child’s four front teeth (the first teeth to erupt) don’t erupt until about 12 or 14 months of age.
As mentioned, the front teeth will erupt first, while back teeth will generally erupt last. That means the first teeth you’ll see will make up their visible smile. Once your child’s incisors and canines appear, they may be more capable of chewing solid foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
How Do I Know If Something is Wrong?
Teething children are generally fussy, irritable, and sleepless as they begin their oral development. They may also drool more than usual or lose their appetite when teething. However, these are all normal parts of the teething process and require patience and understanding to handle.
However, if your baby experiences diarrhea, rashes, and a fever, it’s a sign that something is wrong. These are not normal symptoms of a teething baby and need to be addressed by either your pediatrician or family doctor. Furthermore, if your child continues to be fussy or uncomfortable after teething has finished, you’ll want to visit a doctor to confirm nothing is wrong with your child’s development.
What are the Best Oral Care Habits for My Child?
During the first three years, you’ll likely need to help your child brush their teeth. Make sure to use no more than a grain of rice-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste to clean their gums and first erupting teeth. Once they get past the age of three, you can start helping them brush on their own, as well as increase the amount of toothpaste to a pea-sized dab.
You’ll also want to take them to their dentist for kids in Rowlett by the time they reach 12 months of age or within six months of their first tooth erupting. This way, your dentist can confirm your child’s oral health is in good shape and recommend treatments that will help them in the future.
Have more questions about your child’s oral development? Your dentist would be more than happy to help at your next scheduled appointment!
About the Author
As a mother of three, Dr. Tera Pollock understands the many stages of oral development children go through. After spending 12 years practicing pediatric dentistry, she’s very excited to help the community achieve perfect oral health, regardless of age. To learn more about her practice, contact her through her website.