Are you a new parent? Is your baby just now teething? Are you wondering what to do after your baby has their teeth? These are all questions that new parents wonder about a few months into their child’s life. The majority of these questions can simply be answered by learning a few important details about baby teeth. 

Today, we will dive deep into 5 things all new parents should know when it comes to their baby’s teeth. 

1. When Do Babies Get Their Teeth?

A common question new parents have about is “When will they start getting their teeth?” This will depend on whether your child’s jaw and teeth are developing correctly. It is crucial to know when your child starts to gain their teeth because you will also have a good idea of when they will begin losing these same teeth. 

However, most babies will start getting their baby teeth around the 6-month mark. Please do not be alarmed if your child is getting them a bit earlier or a bit later. Each child is different when it comes to dental development. 

Typically, the first teeth you will see are the two bottom incisors and the two top incisors. After your child gets their incisors, you’ll notice more teeth popping up until your child is about 2 to 3 years of age. By then, he or she will have all of their baby teeth. Every child should have a total of 20 baby teeth. 

2. When Do Babies Lose Their Teeth?

Now that you know when your child should be getting their teeth — and how many you should see coming in, let’s quickly touch upon when they should be losing their teeth. 

Just like when they got their baby teeth, their teeth will typically fall out in that order as well. For example, the first teeth that your child should lose will likely be their incisors and so on. 

However, your child will start losing their baby teeth around the time they are in Kindergarten. Of course, some children may lose them a bit sooner, and some will yield them a bit later. That is not an issue, so do not be alarmed if things are slightly different from what we mention here. 

3. What is the Purpose of Baby Teeth?

Many people do not quite understand why we are born with two different sets of teeth. Especially since the first set we only have a few years and the last group we are with for nearly all of our lives. 

Even though baby teeth only will be around for less than 13 years, it doesn’t mean they do not play a crucial role in your child’s dental health. For instance, baby teeth are vital to your child because they allow them to speak, chew, and smile properly. But that is not all, baby teeth are smaller than adult teeth, but they are also spaced out in a way that allows for their second set of teeth to come in ideally spaced and aligned. 

Let’s put it this way —  your baby teeth fit your mouth perfectly as you age. Once you get to the point of your baby teeth falling out, your jaw has grown, which can accommodate your adult teeth, and the baby teeth guide these new teeth in properly. 

4. How to Take Care of Baby Teeth

When your child starts getting their baby teeth, it’s okay to not know exactly what to do. Caring for your child’s teeth is not much different than taking care of your oral hygiene. To take care of your child’s teeth, you should brush them 2 times a day and floss at least once daily. 

When your child is an infant, you can gently wipe their gums with a damp cloth. This will allow you to get off any plaque that may begin to settle on their teeth. 

If your child is around 3 years of age, you can start using a tiny bit of toothpaste to brush their teeth. When your child is between 3 to 6, they use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to brush their teeth with. 

Most importantly, remember to watch your child as they start to brush their teeth. Help them with their technique and ensure that they are not swallowing the toothpaste.

5. Can Bad Habits Cause Abnormal Baby Teeth Shape?

Did you know children who suck on fingers/thumbs for years place excess force on their front teeth? This is the reason why a lot of children’s two front teeth start to protrude from their mouth. 

However, finger-sucking can also do a lot of damage to your child’s bite as well. If your child has protruding teeth or a problem with their bite, they will need to get orthodontic treatment in the future. 

Start Oral Hygiene While They Are Young

Now that you know how baby teeth are crucial to the start of your child’s dental health, make sure you start an oral hygiene regimen as soon as possible. 

It is never too early to bring your child to Chillicothe Pediatric Dentistry. We specialize in primary and preventative care to keep your child’s smile as bright as it can be. Contact us today to set up your child’s first appointment!