Children’s Dentistry: Baby Teeth 101

Baby teeth can be confusing, especially because all they seem to do is grow into the mouth and then fall out of it. However, baby teeth are more important than you might realize, and we are happy to tell you all about them by providing the answers to the following questions:

When do baby teeth come in?
Generally, baby teeth start to grow into place when your baby is 6 months to 1 year old. As the teeth come in, your baby may be a bit fussy. If that’s the case, try to sooth them by gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger or letting them suck on a cool spoon. By the time they are 3 years old, they should have a full mouth of teeth.

Why do baby teeth matter?
Baby teeth are very important because they not only allow your baby to chew and talk, but they also guide the permanent teeth into place. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, the permanent tooth will not know where to go and it will likely harm the smile as it tries to figure it out.

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?
The American Dental Association strongly suggests that you bring your child in for their first visit 6 months after their first tooth has grown in and no later than your child’s first birthday. This appointment will help your child become familiar with our office, will let your dentist check for tooth decay, and will allow you the chance to ask and learn about oral hygiene.

Our Allen Pediatric Dentistry team cares for your child’s smile, so if you have any questions or if you need help taking care of their little chompers, we encourage you to call 972-535-8169 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Jessie Hunter. We are here to assist you in any way we can if you just call our office today!