What Do I Need To Know About My Child’s Teeth Development?

As new parents, it can be overwhelming yet exciting to think of your child’s teeth development and your little one growing up. In our last blog, we talked about ways to help ease your child’s discomfort during the teething process.

Here’s a fun fact: your child starts with 20 primary teeth (or baby teeth) when they are born. These teeth are hidden beneath the gums and begin to poke through at about 6-10 months.

We’re here to help you ease into the exciting development process of your child’s first teeth! There are also a few tips and tricks to help keep your child’s teeth healthy when they first come in.

Timeline of Teeth Development

6-10 months: You should start seeing your child’s first front teeth coming in at around 6-10 months old. Usually, you will begin to see the front bottom two teeth erupt first.

8-12 months: After the bottom teeth have made their appearance, the top front teeth are quick to follow. After you begin to see more teeth erupting, you should schedule your child’s first dental appointment. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that your little one should have their first appointment six months after their first tooth erupts and no later than their 1st birthday.

9-13 months: Teeth tend to erupt in pairs. Meaning when the right tooth comes in, the left will come in as well. At around 9-16 months, you will start to see your child’s upper and lower rows start to fill out. Around this time, your child will begin to grow their first molars.

16-23 months: The canine teeth are next! These typically come around the same time in no particular order.

25-33 months: Your child’s baby teeth will finally be complete after their second set of molars have appeared.

6-7 years: There is a big range between when the first primary teeth start falling out. Teeth usually fall out in the same order that they came in.

7-12 years: The rest of your child’s primary teeth will fall out, ending with the second molars. After a tooth begins to get wiggly, it can take a few months to fall out. It’s best to let the baby tooth fall out on its own to avoid causing any damage.

If your child seems to be off the standard timeline, there is no need to panic! If you do not see any teeth developing by the time your child is 18 months old, you should schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric dentists in Boiling Springs, SC or Powdersville, SC.

Dental Care for Primary Teeth

• Begin brushing your child’s teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Once you begin seeing your child’s teeth coming in, start brushing your child’s teeth with a smear of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. As your child gets older, you can begin using a pea-sized amount. This should be done after your baby has their last drink or food of the day. Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle; it can lead to tooth decay.
• Ask about your child’s teeth and fluoride varnish. During their dental visits, your pediatric dentist in Powdersville will check your child’s gums and teeth and ensure everything is growing smoothly. Our dentists will be able to apply fluoride varnish to help prevent tooth decay.
• Baby teeth are susceptible to decay (cavities). They have a thinner layer of enamel, so it is essential to establish a healthy dental care routine at a young age.
• Baby teeth can be harmed by too much pacifier use and finger sucking. Prolonged sucking after baby teeth have erupted can change the position of teeth.
• Breastfeeding has been shown to be beneficial for the development of your child’s teeth. But, if your baby falls asleep with milk in their mouth, they can be more vulnerable to tooth decay. Clean the baby’s mouth with a wet washcloth after feeding and encourage pain water at nighttime.

Plan Your Child’s First Dental Visit

It’s always exciting to see your child begin to grow and get their first teeth. But, its important to take care of them as much as possible. We have two pediatric dental locations in the Upstate of South Carolina. After you see your child’s teeth begin to developed, schedule an appointment with one of our dentists. It is important to get your child into a great dental care routine to establish good habits while they are young.

Boiling Springs: (864) 606-0006

Email: boilingsprings@igrin2.smcnational.com

Powdersville: (864) 220-5437

Email: powdersville@igrin2.smcnational.com