Dental Health Topics

Pediatric Dentistry

Baby teeth are actually referred as primary teeth. There are 20 primary teeth, which first begin to appear between the 4th and 18th month of age. By the time your child reaches 3, they should have all their primary teeth in place. Permanent teeth will begin to come in at approximately 6 years of age. Permanent teeth come up under the primary teeth and cause their roots to slowly dissolve. All permanent teeth should be in by the age of 13.

Unlike the permanent dentition, the primary dentition has no premolars.

Dental care should start early for your child. Naturally, at first you'll have to care for their teeth yourself. Begin cleaning your baby’s teeth as soon as you see the first one in place. It's important not to lose a finger in the process, but try to use a small gauze or wash cloth to get started. Begin to use a brush as soon as you can - place just a small amount of toothpaste on the brush so that they may get the idea to brush - not to eat the toothpaste.

“Bottle mouth” - this occurs when a child sleeps with a bottle. Liquids (EVEN MILK) that stay in the mouth continuously can cause rapid decay.

Thumb sucking and pacifiers are very normal habits for a newborn. But, if they last beyond 36 months, they may lead to serious problems of jaw formation and tooth displacement.

You should also regularly check your child’s teeth for any signs of decay (which may look like dark spots on their teeth).