Why do we have baby teeth? Baby teeth serve purposes beyond creating beautiful smiles because they help with chewing and speaking while preparing the way for the future adult teeth. The teeth situated in front assist both chewing activities and spoken communication, and guide the forthcoming permanent teeth during their natural growth.
What Are Baby Teeth?
Babies have a first set of temporary teeth, which dental experts call primary teeth, milk teeth, or deciduous teeth. Before birth, babies start forming their permanent teeth by developing them beneath the gums when a mother is pregnant. Baby teeth start their process of eruption — appearing in the mouth — during the period between six months and twelve months of age.
All babies develop 20 teeth, which are distributed equally between the top and bottom parts of the mouth. These include:
- Incisors serve as front teeth because they are used for cutting food.
- Canines: Pointed teeth serve as instruments for ripping food pieces during eating.
- Molars: The back teeth, called molars, help consumers grind food while also facilitating chewing activities.
Due to their small size and thin enamel layer, baby teeth face greater risks of developing cavities than adult permanent teeth do. The tiny structure and small dimensions of baby teeth allow them to adapt to the restricted jaw space of infants, resulting in proper oral function.
Baby Teeth vs. Permanent Teeth
Permanent teeth and baby teeth have the same basic components, which include enamel den, tin, and pulp as well as roots, yet they maintain important structural variations between these two tooth types.
|
Feature |
Baby Teeth |
Permanent Teeth |
|
Number |
20 |
32 |
|
Size |
Smaller |
Larger |
|
Color |
Whiter |
Yellowish |
|
Enamel Thickness |
Thinner |
Thicker |
Root length differs between these tooth structures, as baby teeth dissolve during loss, but permanent teeth maintain their root length to survive for a longer period. Because of their structure, baby teeth are more prone to cavities and wear, whereas permanent teeth are designed to last over time.
Why Do We Have Baby Teeth?
The baby teeth serve as preliminary guides for the permanent teeth that follow. They perform important roles when facial development occurs alongside jaw growth as children mature into adults.
- Helping Children Eat
Eating appetizing foods combined with the crucial function of digestion requires active chewing. The early teeth help little ones eat and chew a variety of food types properly because they provide a suitable biting surface. The proper development of children depends on baby teeth because they make it easier to receive essential nutrients during these vital years.
- Supporting Speech Development
Teeth function as fundamental components when we produce sounds that make words. Teeth play a vital role in helping children learn to pronounce specific letters and sounds correctly. The production of "th" in addition to "f" and "s" sounds requires the tongue to touch the teeth.
- Holding Space for Permanent Teeth
The most vital purpose of baby teeth is to preserve space in the jaw that will eventually accommodate permanent adult teeth. The position of adult teeth depends on baby teeth functioning as temporary placeholders until they are ready to emerge. Early loss of a baby tooth due to decay or injury can cause neighboring teeth to shift, potentially creating problems with crowded or crooked adult teeth.
- Supporting Jaw and Facial Development
The jawbone and facial muscles develop better and stronger when children chew with their baby teeth. The correct formation of the facial structure depends on this process, as long as the oral structure remains healthy.
The physical, emotional, and social development of children relies entirely on their baby teeth, which need to be treated with the same care as permanent teeth.
Are Baby Teeth Important?
Absolutely! The misconception exists that people should not give baby teeth care since they will eventually fall out anyway. Several problems occur when baby teeth receive insufficient attention, which leads to:
- The thin enamel of baby teeth leaves them exposed to severe dental cavity formation and associated infections.
- The pain from dental issues causes individuals to face difficulties with eating and their nutritional intake.
- A child's ability to speak normally depends on the existence and condition of their teeth.
- Permanent teeth face damage when baby teeth are lost, and eventually affect the adult teeth below.
When Do They Come In and Fall Out?
The schedule of baby tooth development follows a standard pattern, but individual differences in timing are expected. Here's a general guide:
When Do Baby Teeth Come In?
- Lower central incisors (bottom front teeth): 6–10months
- The timing of the upper central incisor top front teeth's appearance ranges from 8 months to 12 months.
- Upper lateral incisors (either side of the top front teeth): 9–13 months
- Lower lateral incisors: 10–16 months
- First molars: 13–19 months
- Canines (cuspids): 16–22 months
- Second molars: 23–33 months
According to normal development, most children develop their complete set of 20 baby teeth by age 3.
When Do Baby Teeth Fall Out?
The shedding of baby teeth occurs most commonly at age 6, but it may differ slightly between children. Shedding of teeth happens in the same sequence as their initial eruption occurs:
- Lower central incisors: 6–7 years
- Upper central incisors: 6–7 years
- Lateral incisors: 7–8 years
- First molars: 9–11 years
- Canines: 9–12 years
- Second molars: 10–12 years
A child loses all their baby teeth between the ages of 12–13, allowing the adult teeth to complete the total tooth count of 28 (wisdom teeth usually delay their emergence until ages 17–25).
How to Care for Them
Oral care for infants begins before their first tooth develops. Startups in oral health during childhood create a lasting foundation for durable teeth, along with robust smiling abilities.
Your child's baby teeth require these methods of care:
- Begin care right after birth, during the period before your baby's teeth emerge.
A soft, moist cloth should be used to wipe your baby's gums after each feeding. The process of wiping with a damp cloth removes milk stains and establishes a daily oral routine.
After the first tooth appears, parents need to choose a toothbrush designed specifically for babies.
Recommended Product:
This toothbrush represents a specialized dental instrument designed to fit small children's mouths. The toothbrush features soft bristles and a small brush head, providing careful cleaning for the teeth while remaining gentle on sensitive gums. This baby toothbrush has a design that allows young brushers to maintain a secure hold as they become independent.
- Gentle Brushing With a Finger Toothbrush
The finger toothbrush functions as an excellent way to teach babies how to brush their teeth before transitioning to traditional toothbrushes.
Recommended Product:
Momcozy Finger Toothbrush (2pcs)
A finger toothbrush crafted from food-grade silicone materials provides parents with a safe solution to clean their infants' new teeth and gently massage their oral cavity. Your baby will experience a stress-free introduction to oral care along with soothing comfort through this tool.
Apply fluoride toothpaste at the size of a rice grain when your child starts showing their teeth.
- Establish a Routine
Daily brushing should occur in the morning and at night.
- Start daily flossing when your child's teeth begin to meet each other.
- A practice that leads to "baby bottle tooth decay" should be avoided when placing babies to sleep with bottles.
- Strictly limiting exposure to sugary foods prevents enamel damage during the early stages of childhood development.
What If My Child Gets a Cavity in Baby Teeth?
Baby teeth are susceptible to cavities at frequencies that exceed parental awareness standards, yet these developments must be treated immediately.
Despite the eventual loss of baby teeth, the presence of a cavity can result in the following problems:
- Pain and infection
- Difficulty eating or sleeping
- The ongoing teeth beneath will sustain permanent harm.
- The premature loss of baby teeth can create spacing issues that may lead to alignment problems.
Fact: Well-cared-for baby teeth mean a healthier, straighter set of permanent teeth for years to come!
Will Baby Teeth Affect Permanent Teeth?
Yes, absolutely. Baby teeth directly affect the health, position, and growth of adult teeth. Here’s how:
- Space Maintenance: The baby teeth act as placeholders for the permanent teeth. Losing them in the wrong manner can cause permanent teeth to start erupting out of line or become overcrowded.
- Direction for Eruption: The root of the baby tooth establishes where the permanent tooth will emerge in its position.
- Preventing Infection: Infections in baby teeth can spread to the developing adult teeth beneath them, potentially causing discoloration, malformation, or other issues.
When Should My Baby See the Dentist for the First Time?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises that a child should visit a dentist if:
- By their first birthday or
- Within the next 6 months after the first tooth erupts
- Among the various objectives of this initial visit are:
- It makes the child familiar with dental visits so that they do not fear the future.
- It enables the dentist to identify any early indications of decay or developing issues.
- It Educates Parents on proper oral hygiene techniques adjusted to meet their child's needs.
Tip: Opt for a pediatric dentist to make the process enjoyable and soothing for your baby!
Conclusion
Baby teeth might be temporary, but their impact isn't on a child's well-being, development, or self-esteem is lasting and very significant. They help babies with eating, communicating, and smiling, in addition to laying the crucial foundation for eating well-aligned, straight teeth.
