Everything You Need to Know About Baby Teeth

Baby teeth are very important. They may not stay in your mouth for a long time, but they help your child in big ways. Let’s learn all about baby teeth!

Baby Teeth Basics

Baby teeth are the first teeth that grow in your mouth. They are also called primary teeth. You get 20 baby teeth in all. This is less than the 32 adult teeth you will have later.

What Are Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth are small. They are white. They help you:

• Chew food
• Talk and make sounds
• Smile and look nice

Baby teeth save space for your adult teeth. They help your face grow the right way too.

Why Baby Teeth Matter

Baby teeth are not just for show. They help with:

• How you talk
• What you can eat
• How your jaw grows
• Making room for adult teeth

If baby teeth get hurt or come out too soon, it can cause big problems later. Your face and mouth might not grow right.

Baby Teeth Timeline

Baby teeth start to come in when babies are about 6 months old. Most kids have all their baby teeth by age 3.

Eruption Chart

Here is when baby teeth come in:

It’s OK if teeth come in a bit early or late. All kids are different!

When to Worry

Most of the time, you don’t need to worry. But call the dentist if:

• No teeth by 18 months
• Teeth grow in very crooked
• Some teeth are missing
• Teeth have spots or marks

When baby teeth grow in the wrong way, it might mean there is a problem.

Teething: Symptoms & Soothing

When baby teeth push through gums, it can hurt. This is called teething.

Signs of Teething

Look for these signs:

• Lots of drool
• Red or puffy gums
• Want to chew on things
• Fussy or cranky
• Not sleeping well

Note: Teething does NOT cause fever or diarrhea. If your baby has these, call the doctor.

Safe Remedies

Here’s what helps:

• Cold (not frozen) teething rings
• Clean finger to rub gums
• Cool washcloth to chew on

Don’t use numbing gels with benzocaine. They can be unsafe for babies.

Caring for Baby Teeth

Taking care of baby teeth is very important!

Brushing & Flossing

Start cleaning teeth as soon as they come in:

• Use a tiny bit of toothpaste (size of a rice grain)
• Brush two times every day
• Use a soft toothbrush made for babies
• Start flossing when teeth touch each other

Use fluoride toothpaste to make teeth strong. It helps stop cavities.

Avoiding Decay

Baby teeth can get holes called cavities. To avoid this:

• No bottles at bedtime
• Limit juice and soda
• No all-day sippy cups with sweet drinks
• Clean teeth after eating

Did you know? About 23% of kids ages 2-5 have cavities. That’s almost 1 in 4 kids!

Common Problems & Solutions

Baby teeth can have problems. Here are some common ones.

Tooth Decay

Decay means holes in teeth. It happens when:

• Sugar sits on teeth too long
• Teeth are not cleaned well
• Babies drink sweet drinks in bed

For small cavities, the dentist might use silver diamine fluoride. It’s a special liquid that stops decay. For bigger cavities, they might need to put a crown on the tooth.

Grinding (Bruxism)

Many kids grind their teeth at night. This is called bruxism.

Good news! Most kids stop grinding as they grow. If it’s very bad, the dentist might make a night guard to protect the teeth.

Trauma

If a baby tooth gets knocked out or chipped:

1. Stay calm
2. Find the tooth or piece
3. Call the dentist right away
4. Don’t try to put a baby tooth back in

Trauma to baby teeth can hurt adult teeth growing under them.

Losing Baby Teeth

Losing baby teeth is normal and exciting!

When Do They Fall Out?

Baby teeth start to fall out around age 6-7. The last ones usually fall out by age 12.

Here’s the order:

1. Bottom front teeth (age 6-7)
2. Top front teeth (age 6-8)
3. Side front teeth (age 7-8)
4. First molars (age 9-11)
5. Canines (age 9-12)
6. Second molars (age 10-12)

Complications

Sometimes things don’t go as planned:

• Shark teeth: Adult teeth come in behind baby teeth
• Early loss: Baby teeth fall out too soon
• Late loss: Baby teeth stay too long

If baby teeth fall out too early, the dentist might put in a space maintainer. This keeps room for adult teeth.

Dental Visits

First Visit Timing

Take your child to the dentist by age 1 or when the first tooth comes in. Don’t wait!

The first visit is usually:

• Short and fun
• A chance to check teeth
• Time to learn how to care for teeth
• A way to get kids used to the dentist

Common Procedures

At dental visits, the dentist might:

• Count teeth
• Clean teeth
• Put on fluoride varnish to stop cavities
• Take X-rays (for older kids)
• Put on sealants to protect teeth

Sealants are like rain coats for teeth. They keep food and germs out of the grooves.

Important Facts About Baby Teeth

Here’s a special chart with important facts about baby teeth:

Taking Care of Teeth at Home

Good tooth care starts at home. Here’s what to do:

For babies (0-1 year):

• Clean gums with soft cloth
• Start brushing when first tooth comes in
• Use tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste (rice size)
• No bottles in bed

For toddlers (1-3 years):

• Brush two times every day
• Help them brush
• Use small amount of toothpaste
• Limit sweet drinks

For older kids (3-6 years):

• Brush for two minutes
• Start to floss
• Visit dentist every six months
• Use pea-sized amount of toothpaste

Special Cases With Baby Teeth

Sometimes baby teeth need special care:

Teeth Coming In Late

Some kids get teeth later than others. This is often normal. But if your child has no teeth by 18 months, talk to your doctor.

Extra Teeth

Some kids get extra teeth. These might need to be pulled out by the dentist so other teeth can grow right.

Missing Teeth

Some kids are missing some baby teeth. This might mean they will be missing adult teeth too. The dentist will help make a plan.

Discolored Teeth

Baby teeth should be white. If they have spots or look yellow, see a dentist. This could be a sign of a problem.

FAQs About Baby Teeth

When to See a Dentist Right Away

Some things need fast help from a dentist:

• Pain in mouth or teeth
• Swollen face or gums
• Knocked out or broken tooth
• Spot or hole in a tooth
• Cut in mouth that won’t stop bleeding
• Not eating because of tooth pain

Pain is the body’s way of saying something is wrong. Never ignore tooth pain!

The Tooth Fairy Tradition

In many places, when a child loses a baby tooth, they put it under their pillow at night. While they sleep, the “Tooth Fairy” takes the tooth and leaves a small gift or money.

This fun tradition helps kids feel excited about losing teeth instead of scared.

Did you know? About 93% of homes in the U.S. get visits from the Tooth Fairy. The average gift is about $5.70 per tooth!

Conclusion

Baby teeth may not stay forever, but they are very important. They help kids eat, talk, and smile. They also save space for adult teeth.

Taking care of baby teeth means:

• Brushing two times every day
• Visiting the dentist early
• Avoiding too many sweet foods and drinks
• Watching for any problems

Remember, healthy baby teeth lead to healthy adult teeth! Start good habits early to help your child have a beautiful smile for life.

Links You Might Find Helpful

• Learn more about pediatric zirconia crowns for fixing badly damaged baby teeth
• Find out about custom sports mouth guards to protect children’s teeth during sports
• Discover options for temporary crowns on front teeth if your child damages a tooth
• Learn about dental whitening plates trays for older children and teens