SWELLING OF GUMS CAN CAUSE GINGIVITIS WHICH CAN LEADS TO PERIODONTITIS. TREATMENT & CAUSES.

 

                               Baby Teeth

If you think your baby’s toothless smile is cute, just wait until their first few teeth make an appearance! Your little one is growing up quickly, and their first teeth will be here before you know it. Here’s what you need to know about your child’s teeth, why they’re important for lifelong dental health and how to care for them from birth through preschool.

When do baby teeth come in?

Babies are born with all 20 primary teeth already in their jaws. Sometime around 6 months of age, the first teeth break through the gums (usually in the lower front).

The rest of your child’s primary teeth will come in gradually, with most making an appearance by age 3. At this point, kids typically have 10 top teeth and 10 bottom teeth. Here’s a full-mouth chart that shows when primary teeth usually emerge.

How can I relieve teething pain?

Babies often have tender spots when primary teeth begin to push through. Gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger, a chilled spoon or a moist gauze pad can be soothing. A clean teether for your child to chew on may also help. Choose one made of solid rubber for your baby’s safety. Avoid liquid-filled rings or plastic teethers that might break or develop sharp edges.

Here are more tips for safely comforting a teething child. If your little one is extra fussy or develops a temperature, rash or diarrhea while teething, get in touch with your doctor.

Should I worry about cavities in baby teeth?

You may wonder why primary teeth matter, since they will fall out eventually. But keep in mind that your child’s teeth are essential for chewing, the first step in healthy digestion. Primary teeth also help kids speak clearly and smile brightly, giving them confidence early in life.

Primary teeth are sometimes called “nature’s braces” because they help set the proper spacing for adult teeth to come in correctly — a process that starts around age 6. Baby teeth lost to cavities can threaten the health of your child’s permanent teeth. Keeping primary teeth cavity-free also eases the fear and discomfort your child might feel if the dentist needs to treat or remove a decayed tooth.

Baby’s First Tooth: 7 Facts Parents Should Know

1. Most babies will develop teeth between 6 and 12 months.

There is a wide range of variability of when a first tooth may appear—some babies may not have any teeth by their first birthday! Around 3 months of age, babies will begin exploring the world with their mouth and have increased saliva and start to put their hands in their mouth. Many parents question whether or not this means that their baby is teething, but a first tooth usually appears around 6 months old.

Typically, the first teeth to come in are almost always the lower front teeth (the lower central incisors), and most children will usually have all of their baby teeth by age 3.

2. Fluoride should be added to your child's diet at 6 months of age.

Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay by hardening the enamel of teeth. The good news is that fluoride is often added to tap water. Give your baby a few ounces of water in a sippy or straw cup when you begin them on solid foods (about 6 months of age). Speak with your pediatrician to see if your tap water contains fluoride or whether your child needs fluoride supplements. Fluoride is not typically found in most bottled water. See FAQ: Fluoride and Children for more information.

3. Massaging sore gums, offering something cold, or acetaminophen, on an occasional rough night, can help soothe your baby's teething pain.

Usually teething doesn't cause children too much discomfort, however, many parents can tell when their baby is teething. Babies may show signs of discomfort in the area where the tooth is coming in, the gums around the tooth may be swollen and tender, and the baby may drool a lot more than usual.

Parents can help ease teething pain by massaging their baby's gums with clean fingers, offering solid, not liquid-filled, teething rings or a clean frozen or wet washcloth. If you offer a teething biscuit, make sure to watch your baby while they are eating it. Chunks can break off easily and can lead to choking. Also, these biscuits are not very nutritious and most contain sugar and salt.

A baby's body temperature may slightly rise when teething; however, according to a 2016 study in Pediatrics, a true fever (temperature over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) is not associated with teething and is actually a sign of an illness or infection that may require treatment. If your baby is clearly uncomfortable, talk with your pediatrician about giving a weight-appropriate dose of acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or if over 6 months, ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin). Make sure to ask your pediatrician for the right dose in milliliters (mL) based on your child's age and weight.

Many children, however, will have no problems at all when their teeth come in!

4. Do not use teething tablets, gels with benzocaine, homeopathic teething gels or tablets, or amber teething necklaces.

Stay away from teething tablets that contain the plant poison belladonna and gels with benzocaine. Belladonna and benzocaine are marketed to numb your child's pain, but the FDA has issued warnings against both due to potential side effects.

In addition, amber teething necklaces are not recommended. Necklaces placed around an infant's neck can pose a strangulation risk or be a potential choking hazard. There is also no research to support the necklace's effectiveness. See Teething Necklaces and Beads: A Caution for Parents for more information.

5. You should brush your child's teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste

Once your child has a tooth, you should be brushing them twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice, especially after the last drink or food of the day. Remember not to put your baby to bed with a bottle—it can lead to tooth decay.

Once your child turns 3, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)recommend that a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste be used when brushing.

When your child is able, teach them to spit out the excess toothpaste. It is best if you put the toothpaste on the toothbrush until your child is about age 6. Parents should monitor and assist their child while brushing until they are around 7 or 8 years old. When your child can write their name well, he or she also has the ability to brush well.

6. Ask your pediatrician about your baby's teeth and fluoride varnish.

During regular well-child visits, your pediatrician will check your baby's teeth and gums to ensure they are healthy and talk to you about how to keep them that way. The AAP and the United States Preventive Services Task Force also recommend that children receive fluoride varnish once they have teeth.

If your child does not yet have a dentist, ask your pediatrician if they can apply fluoride varnish to your baby's teeth. Once your child has a dentist, the varnish can be applied in the dental office. The earlier your child receives fluoride varnish the better to help prevent tooth decay.

7. Make your first dental appointment when the first tooth appears.

Try to make your baby's first dental appointment after the eruption of the first tooth and by his or her first birthday.

Both the AAP and the AAPD recommend that all children see a pediatric dentist and establish a "dental home" by age one. A pediatric dentist will make sure all teeth are developing normally and that there are no dental problems. They will also give you further advice on proper hygiene. If you don't have a pediatric dentist in your community, find a general dentist who is comfortable seeing young children.

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