Most children’s dentists in Kansas City would agree, baby teeth are the most asked-about topic when it comes to treating children. They can come at different times for every child and fall out in different stages. Even though they will eventually fall out, it’s still important for your child’s health and the development of their adult teeth that you properly take care of their baby teeth.
So when will my baby start to have teeth pop through their gums?
There is not a specific month after a child is born when this takes place, and it greatly varies from child to child. Teeth usually start growing at a wide range, between 6-12 months of age. This could mean early development of teeth or that your child could still not have any teeth by their first birthday. Both of these scenarios are normal.
According to Kansas City, MO pediatric dental specialists, in a typical child’s tooth development, there should be 20 teeth that eventually push through the gums. There are different types of teeth that all have different functions, ranging from biting to grinding so that your child can develop their eating skills. These teeth will reach their full development sometime between the ages of 3-7.
Your child’s mouth and jaw will grow right along with the rest of their body. This will cause spacing between the teeth and eventually result in your child losing their teeth to make room for adult teeth.
Taking care of baby teeth is vital to improving the health of adult teeth. Practicing good dental hygiene at a young age is important because it creates a healthy growing space for adult teeth. Speech development, healthy gums, and jaw placement are just a few things that the baby’s teeth aid in throughout the process of childhood development.
Part of making sure your child’s baby teeth are healthy is to consult a Kansas City, MO pediatric dental specialist regularly. This is to avoid any major concerns and correct them before they become an issue that requires more invasive dental procedures.
Other major topics of concern for parents and the development of baby teeth are:
- Thumb sucking, pacifiers, and bottles– These three things can greatly impact the development of your child’s teeth position and mouth. If your child uses any of these soothing devices, it’s important to talk to your children’s dentist in Kansas City, MO about how to wean them off, alternatives, or ways to cut back.
- Foods that can irritate or rotting teeth– Foods can greatly damage the teeth, even when it seems to be a healthier food option. Chewy foods can get stuck between the teeth, and high sugar foods like raisins and bananas, are all healthier options. Unfortunately, they can still be full of sugar or get stuck in the tooth’s surface, causing tooth decay. Instead, try fruits that are high in water content, as they have less sugar and are less likely to stick to the tooth surface.
- Best ways to brush baby teeth and how often– According to some of the best pediatric dentists in Kansas City, it’s a good idea to brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and after each meal. If this is not an option, perhaps offer your child a cup of water to swish around in their mouth to try to loosen any food particles from their tooth surfaces until they can brush.
Pediatric dental specialists in Kansas City, like Shoal Creek Pediatric Dentistry, want to partner with parents to give their children the best possible start to good dental hygiene. It is our goal to instill healthy habits in children that will last a lifetime. Starting with pediatric care is the best way to do that!
Give us a call today at 816-781-5437 or visit our website to learn more about our office or sign your child up for their first appointment!
