Pediatric Dental Care: Tips for Strong & Healthy Teeth for Your Children

mubeendesg
Feb 18
3 min read

Updated: Feb 19

1. When do children's milk teeth (baby teeth) grow? How many teeth will they have?

Baby teeth start to grow between 6 to 10 months of age. A total of 20 milk teeth appear—10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw. A child keeps their milk teeth until around 6 years old. These teeth then gradually fall out between the ages of 7 and 12, making way for permanent teeth.

2. When do a child's permanent teeth grow?

The first permanent tooth usually appears at 6 years old. After that, baby teeth fall out one by one, allowing permanent teeth to take their place. By the age of 10 to 13 years, all permanent teeth have typically grown.

3. When should children start brushing their teeth?

Brushing should begin as soon as the first milk tooth grows. A special baby toothbrush can be used for infants. Children should brush their teeth twice a day. The first dental visit should be scheduled at 2 years old, followed by regular check-ups every six months.

4. What causes baby teeth to decay easily?

Baby teeth can decay due to dietary habits. It is important to limit sugary and sticky foods like chocolates, chips, and sweets, as they can cause cavities. Instead, encourage a diet rich in vegetables and fruits to promote healthy teeth.

Many parents give their babies bottle milk and allow them to fall asleep with the bottle in their mouth, which is harmful to their teeth. This habit, known as nursing bottle caries, can lead to severe tooth decay. To prevent this, clean water should be given after feeding milk to rinse away sugars.

5. Is it necessary to fill cavities in baby teeth?

Yes, cavities in baby teeth should be treated early. Some parents ignore cavities in baby teeth, thinking they will fall out soon. However, untreated cavities can deepen, cause pain, and even lead to infections that spread to other teeth. Sealing cavities in baby teeth helps maintain oral health and prevents future complications.

6. What can be done to treat painful baby teeth?

It is better to save painful baby teeth rather than extract them. Pain occurs when decay reaches deep into the tooth. Early treatment can help relieve pain, protect the tooth, and prevent further damage. A root canal treatment is often the best option to save such teeth.

Every baby tooth has a natural period for falling out, even if it is decayed. Keeping it healthy until then ensures that permanent teeth grow in properly. If a baby tooth is lost too soon, permanent teeth may erupt misaligned, causing spacing issues.

7. What is a Space Maintainer?

When a baby tooth is lost too early due to decay or injury, it is essential to preserve the space for permanent teeth. If this space is not maintained, neighboring teeth may shift, blocking the proper eruption of permanent teeth. This can lead to misalignment or cause trapped infected teeth within the bone. A space maintainer helps prevent these issues by keeping the area open until the permanent tooth is ready to grow in.

8. What if permanent teeth erupt before baby teeth fall out?

Each baby tooth is supposed to fall out at a specific age to make way for permanent teeth. However, sometimes baby teeth do not fall out on time and remain in place while permanent teeth erupt. This leads to crowding, with permanent teeth growing in anteriorly or posteriorly instead of in a straight row.

The best treatment for this is serial extraction, where stubborn baby teeth are removed to create space. If these baby teeth are extracted at the right time, permanent teeth have a better chance of aligning correctly.

9. Does thumb sucking cause teeth to come outwards?

Certain habits like thumb sucking, mouth breathing, and lip biting can lead to early tooth loss or misalignment. While finger brushing itself does not cause teeth to fall out, improper oral habits can weaken teeth over time. It is important to identify and address these habits early by consulting a dentist to prevent long-term dental issues.