Baby Teeth Need a Little Babying

It’s one of the millions of jobs a parent has to start your kids down the path to good oral hygiene. You, and they, will be glad you made the attentive effort. It helps to understand different factors about the baby teeth, so here’s some info from Dr. Egger.

What is the primary dentition?

While this may sound like some sort of archaic writing drill in elementary school, it actually means the arrival of the 20 baby teeth. Called, for some elm-like reason, deciduous teeth, these will include four incisors, two canines, and four molars on each jaw. These begin erupting through the gums around the age of six months. One or two teeth will break through each month.

When?

The first teeth to come in are the bottom central incisors, followed by the four front teeth on the upper jaw. The rest of the teeth descend in pairs, usually one on each side. Your child should have around 10 teeth on top and bottom somewhere between 2 and 3 years old. These teeth will last until around 6 or 7 when they will start to shed, calling for many Tooth Fairy visits. Those deciduous teeth will be mostly gone by the age of 13, replaced by permanent teeth.

Fun baby teeth facts

Here are some facts about baby teeth you probably didn’t know:

• Girls get their teeth earlier than boys.
• Teeth in the lower jaw erupt before those in the upper jaw.
• Children who are shorter in height may have delayed tooth eruption.
• If you live in a warmer climate, your kid’s teeth will come in earlier.
• People living in urban areas get teeth faster than rural kids.
• Birth rank can make older kids get their teeth earlier than their youngest brother or sister.

A couple of tips

• Before your child’s teeth erupt, clean your baby’s gums and the erupting teeth by rubbing a clean, damp washcloth along the baby’s upper and lower gums.

• When the teeth come in, start brushing your baby’s teeth at least two to three times a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and water.

Dr. Egger cares for generations of Michiganders at his practice. So, when it’s time to see him for your little one, please come by. To make your appointment at our Mt. Pleasant offices, call (989) 773-3560.