Baby teeth, also known as deciduous teeth, milk teeth, or primary teeth, are your first developed teeth. The baby teeth develop during the embryonic stage, come out of the gums after six months, and fall out around age six to replace permanent adult teeth.

How Are Baby Teeth Different From Adult Teeth?

The 20 baby teeth are replaced by the 32 adult teeth when children start losing their deciduous teeth around six.

Baby teeth have thinner enamel compared to adult teeth, which is why they often appear whiter. The size of baby teeth is smaller than permanent teeth, and their roots are thinner and shorter than adult teeth.

Adult teeth come with little bumps that wear off over time.

When Can You Expect Your Child’s Baby Teeth to Appear?

Baby teeth start coming in around six months of age. The first teeth to appear are the central incisor, first on the lower jaw, followed by a tooth right next to it.

After that, the four upper incisors begin to appear. The second molars appear when the child reaches 2.5 years of age. However, the frequency and time of baby teeth appearing depends on individual children.

If you have concerns or questions regarding your the health of your child's baby teeth, Tracy H. Takenaka, DDS, MSD can check your child's mouth and guide you on whether or not your child is getting their baby teeth in a normal way.

Schedule your visit with a dentist before your child reaches the age of one year or six months after they get their first tooth.

Why Are Baby Teeth Important?

The first baby teeth to appear, the central incisors, are the first ones to fall out. The child can lose their last baby teeth around the age of 12.

The child must lose baby teeth at the correct time since their falling out makes room for adult teeth to appear and permanently hold their place in the jaw.

If the baby teeth are lost too early or at improper frequency, then they will not give way to proper space for adult teeth, which can drift into other tooth spaces and lead to orthodontic issues in the future like overbite, underbite, or crossbite.

How Do I Care For My Child’s Oral Health?

You can begin wiping the gums of your baby with a clean washcloth. As soon as the baby teeth start appearing, clean the teeth using a soft bristle infant toothbrush specifically designed for children under two years of age. You can use fluoride toothpaste to clean their teeth. Just ensure that you do not take a quantity more than the size of the pea.

As soon as the child has a tooth, there are chances of decay, so brush and clean their teeth right away before plaque develops on the tooth surface.

Establish good oral hygiene habits in the child from a young age so they can make their way toward a life free from any need for dental fillings or dental sealants
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At Children's Dentistry of DuPont, we believe in excellent dental hygiene care for your child that will protect their teeth from decay and diseases for a lifetime.