Children and the Dentist

How the oral cavity develops from infancy through childhood

 Children’s baby teeth are called deciduous and are very important for the development of a child’s dental and overall health.
The baby teeth help the child chew food properly as well as to speak clearly.
The first tooth generally emerges when the child is between 6 and 12 months, and usually in the middle of the lower jaw. By the time the child is 3 years old, she/he should have 20 deciduous teeth.
In the chart below, you can see the order in which baby teeth emerge at what age they fall out.
Table of Expected Ages for the Emergence and Loss of Baby Teeth
Tooth Age at Emergence Age at Loss

Upper deciduous teeth

Central incisors 8 – 12 months   6 – 7 years
Lateral incisors 9 – 13 months   7 – 8 years
Canines 16 – 22 months 10 – 12 years
First molars 13 – 19 months   9 – 11 years
Secondary molars 25 – 33 months 10 – 12 years

 

Lower deciduous teeth

Central incisors 6 – 10 months   6 – 7 years
Lateral incisors 10 – 16 months   7 – 8 years
Canines 17 – 23 months   9 – 12 years
First molars 14 – 18 months   9 – 11 years
Secondary molars 23 – 31 months  10 – 12 years

Dental caries can appear very early due to microbes which act in combination with carbohydrates and sugar to cause progressive tooth decay.

Gingivitis is also a common pathology in children’s gums, causing bleeding with brushing, reddening and swelling.

A child’s first visitto the dentist should be early so that parents can be informed about nutrition and products available for dental hygiene.

Habits such as long-term thumb sucking, which can cause orthodontic problems in the future, should be examined.

Learning about dental hygiene in a pleasant atmospherewill help children to have a positive attitude towards taking care of their teeth and towards the dentist.

For healthy gums and teeth a child needs:

1)      Proper and regular brushing

2)      Reduced sugar intake

3)      Regular fluoride treatments and the use of fluoride-containing mouth rinses

4)      Filling of dental pits and fissures with sealant

Sealantis the preventive coating of dental pits and fissures. It’s colorless or white layers of material (like varnish) which are applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The purpose is to protect the hard-to-brush pits and fissures in teeth where tooth decay generally starts.

Brushing should initially be done with help from the parents. Toothbrush use at an early age lays the foundation for making a habit of good dental hygiene.

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