About Teeth
Throughout your life, you will have two sets of teeth: primary (baby) teeth and secondary (permanent) teeth. Most kids have a total of 20 baby teeth, 10 on top and 10 on the bottom. There are typically 32 adult or permanent teeth, typically 16 on top and 16 on the bottom.
Your 4 front teeth are called incisors. The sharp “fang-like” teeth are referred to as canines. The next side teeth are called pre-molars or bicuspids, and the back teeth are molars
A child’s teeth actually start forming before birth and typically between the ages of 6-8 months, the primary teeth appear; the lower central incisors are first, then the upper central incisors. Usually, all 20 are in place by age 3.
Permanent teeth will begin to grow around age 6, and except for wisdom teeth, are all present between the ages of 12 and 14. The first of these permanent teeth to erupt are the first molars which grow in behind the last baby teeth followed by the bottom central incisors. Wisdom teeth typically begin breaking through at about age 17. Few people have enough room for all 32 teeth and this is usually why wisdom teeth are removed.
Your permanent teeth are the ones you keep for life, so it is vital that they are brushed and flossed regularly and that periodic check-ups by a dentist are followed.
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Primary (baby) Teeth
Primary teeth are important for several reasons. Foremost, good teeth allow a child to eat and maintain good nutrition. Without them, a child cannot chew food properly. Healthy teeth allow for clear pronunciation and speech habits. The self-image that healthy teeth give a child is immeasurable. Also, primary teeth are vital to the development of the jaws and also for guiding the eruption of the permanent teeth.
Since primary teeth guide the permanent teeth into place, infants with missing primary teeth or children who prematurely lose primary teeth may require a space maintainer, a device used to hold the natural space open. Without a maintainer, the teeth can tilt and shift toward the empty space and cause permanent teeth to come in crooked or prevent them from coming in at all. Missing teeth should always be mentioned to your family dentist.
The way your child cares for his/her primary teeth plays a critical role in how he/she treats the permanent teeth. Children and adults are equally susceptible to plaque and gum problems—hence, the need for regular care and dental check-ups.
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Early Dental Care
Innumerable studies and research have concluded on the importance of starting children early in their lives with good dental hygiene and oral care. According to research, the most common chronic childhood disease in America is tooth decay, affecting 50 percent of first-graders and 80 percent of 17 year olds. Early treatment prevents problems affecting a child's health, well-being, self-image, and overall achievement.
The National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research estimates that children will miss 52 million hours of school each year due to oral health problems and about 12.5 million days of restricted activity every year from dental symptoms. Because there is such a significant loss in their academic performance, the Surgeon General has made children's oral health a priority.
Parents are responsible for ensuring their children practice good dental hygiene. Parents must introduce proper oral care early in a child's life; as early as infancy. The American Dental Hygiene Association states that a good oral hygiene routine for children includes:
- Thoroughly cleaning your infant's gums after each feeding with a water-soaked infant cloth. This stimulates the gum tissue and removes food debris.
- Gently brushing your baby's erupted teeth with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
- Teaching your child at age 2 or 3 about proper brushing techniques and teaching them to floss at around 7-8 years old. Reinforce this through their teenage years.
- Regular visits with their dentist to check for cavities in the primary teeth and for possible developmental problems.
- Encouraging your child to discuss any fears they may have about oral health visits, but do not mention words like “pain” or “hurt,” since this may instill the possibility of pain in the child's thought process.
- Determining if the water supply that serves your home is fluoridated and if not, discussing supplement options with your dentist or hygienist.
- Asking your hygienist or dentist about baby bottle tooth decay which can be a result of allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle in their mouth, or sealants which are applied to the chewing surfaces to protect and seal the deep grooves.
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Teething
As teeth begin to erupt, the gums are sore, tender, and sometimes irritable until all the baby teeth are in which is typically around the age of 3. Rubbing sore gums gently with a clean finger, the back of a cold spoon, or a cold, wet cloth helps soothe the gums. Teething rings work well, but avoid teething biscuits—they contain sugar that is not good for baby teeth.
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Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
It is important to monitor the teeth for signs of baby bottle tooth decay. Examine the teeth regularly, especially on the inside or the tongue side for dull spots (whiter than the tooth surface) or lines. A bottle containing anything other than water left in an infant’s mouth while sleeping can cause decay. This happens because the sugar in the liquid mixes/interacts with the bacteria in dental plaque, forming acids that attack the tooth enamel. When awake, saliva carries away the liquid, but during sleep, the saliva flow is significantly decreased and liquids pool around the child’s teeth for long periods, covering the teeth in acids.
Tooth decay in infants can be minimized or totally prevented by not allowing sleeping infants to breast or bottle-feed. Infants that need a bottle to comfortably fall asleep should be given a water-filled bottle or a pacifier. Our office is dedicated to fighting baby bottle tooth decay. Let us know if you notice any signs of decay or anything unusual in your child’s mouth.
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A Child’s First Dental Visit
A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled around his/her first birthday. The most important part of the visit is getting to know and becoming comfortable with the doctor and his staff. A pleasant, comfortable first visit builds trust and helps put the child at ease during future dental visits. If possible, allow the child to sit in a parent’s lap in the exam room. Children should be encouraged to discuss any fears or anxiety they feel.
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Good Diet and Healthy Teeth
The teeth, bones and soft tissue of the mouth require a healthy, well-balanced diet. A variety of foods from the five food groups helps minimize (and avoid) cavities and other dental problems. Most snacks that children eat cause cavities, so children should only receive healthy foods like vegetables and low-fat yogurt and cheeses, which promote strong teeth.
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