‘Baby Health & Safety’

If you don’t know what to expect about the teething phase, you are going to need a new mother’s guide to survival, in anticipation of baby teeth arrival. This is a process that is ongoing and it can be painful for your baby and cause you to lose sleep, as well. Understanding the process can help you recognize symptoms and know how to care for your baby’s mouth properly, however.

What age does teething begin and when should I expect to see baby teeth?

Even though baby teeth start to develop when your newborn is still in the womb, the times they start to appear in the mouth can be staggered. The central incisors appear between 6 and 12 months, the lateral incisors appear between 9 and 16 months, with the canine teeth appearing between 16 to 23 months. Your baby might get their first molars anywhere from 13 to 19 months, while the secondary molars don’t appear until 22 to 33 months.

How can I survive the teething process and what should I expect?

Many babies experience pain while teething and will cry to let you know it! You can purchase teething ointments to relieve some of the pain and rubbing a baby aspirin on the gums may help. Most parents will purchase teething rings and there are some that are filled with gel or can be filled with water and frozen, for numbing relief.

How long does it take for each tooth to break the surface of the gums?

Your baby’s gums might start to become red, as baby teeth start to push closer to the surface. This process can vary in length, depending on how developed the tooth is and the thickness of gums, shape of the mouth and hereditary factors. From the time that gum redness occurs, you can expect the process to take as little as a day or it can take a few weeks. Unfortunately, this is one of those things that nature and your own baby’s development will determine.

When should I worry about brushing the baby teeth?

Even before your newborn starts teething, you should be wiping your child’s mouth and gums with a clean, damp cloth or find the wipes and gauze pads that are sold for this purpose. This is especially important as the teething process begins because milk, juice and baby foods containing sugar can start tooth decay at an early age. You can also use baby teeth and gum brushes for this process. Teaching your toddler the tooth brushing process will ensure a white smile that has fewer cavities and tooth decay issues.

When will my child start to get their permanent teeth?

You can expect this to be an ongoing process that starts around the age of six and continues until the beginning of their teenage years. While your child won’t feel the same pains when getting their permanent teeth, it can still be an uncomfortable time period for some children and their parents, regardless.

What happens if there is damage to baby teeth-will it affect permanent teeth?

It may or may not affect the growth of their permanent teeth. The roots of baby teeth will start to become destroyed or absorbed, as the permanent teeth develop and start pushing their way through. It is important to teach brushing and proper dental hygiene at an early age, because permanent teeth need healthy gums to stay firmly anchored. If your child chips one of their baby teeth, you should seek the advice of a dentist.

When should I take my baby to the dentist for their first check-up?

It might be advisable to take your baby to the dentist as early as twelve months, but most parents will set up an appointment before they are two years old. If you are teaching proper dental hygiene, there will be less need to worry, however. Learning proper care of baby teeth prepares your child for permanent teeth, with fewer dental problems.