As a parent, you want to make sure that your child’s oral health is right on track. That’s hard to do when you’re not sure how their mouth is supposed to be developing as they get older. Learning about how their mouth changes can help you adjust their morning and nightly routines as their smile begins to form. Looking after your son or daughter’s dental health now can lay the foundation for a bright and wholesome smile as an adult. Your pediatric dentist in Poway discusses how your little one’s mouth is changing and when they’ll have all their permanent teeth.
When Will Your Child’s Permanent Teeth Appear?
Around the age of 6, your child will start losing their baby teeth. The first teeth to go are typically the front and most visible teeth. Following that, you may start to notice their permanent molars peeking through the surface. Once they turn 12, they’ll most likely have lost their last baby tooth. They will have a total of 28 permanent teeth until their wisdom teeth appear in their late teen or early twenties, making 32.
What’s the Anatomy of Adult Teeth?
Your child’s teeth began forming in the womb, believe it or not, but they won’t start appearing in their mouth until they’re 6 to 12 months old. Knowing the 4 distinct parts that make up their teeth will allow you to best take care of them:
- Enamel: the outermost layer and hardest substance in the body that is the most visible part of the tooth.
- Dentin: the inner layer of the tooth that reinforces the enamel and helps support the tooth’s structure.
- Pulp: the innermost layer of the tooth surrounded by dentin. It’s soft and contains nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels.
- Root: the bottom portion of the tooth that’s connected to the jawbone.
How Can You Best Care for Your Child’s Growing Teeth?
Caring for your child’s developing mouth can sometimes be tricky. Introducing them to oral hygiene at a young age can help reduce their risk of experiencing dental decay and other problems when they’re older. You can start caring for your baby’s gums before their teeth have even emerged by running a damp washcloth to clear any bacteria.
Once your baby gets teeth, you can brush them with an infant toothbrush by using a small grain-of-rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and some water. When their teeth begin to touch, you can start flossing between them. As they get older, you can teach them to spit while brushing and begin to use slightly more toothpaste. It’s best to consult with your children’s dentist in Poway about how much fluoride they should be exposed to.
The ADA recommends that you take your child to see a dentist around the time their first tooth appears or by their first birthday. During their checkups and cleanings, you can ask any questions you may have about their oral development and discuss the best way to care for your little one’s smile. Visiting your dentist for kids in Poway sooner early-on can lay the foundation for a healthy mouth for years to come!
About the Author
Dr. Sam is passionate about providing children with fun and enjoyable dental experiences. As a board-certified pediatric dentist, she has completed rigorous examinations and years of additional training especially to treat the broad spectrum of issues concerning kids’ dental health. She looks forward to teaching her little patients about their oral health and how to keep their smiles bright. For any questions or to schedule an appointment for your child, visit Bright Pediatric Smiles’ website or contact 858-251-3313.