Baby teeth: all you need to know about your child’s oral health
Baby teeth: In this week’s Q&A, Dr Suzanne O’Connor from our Knocklyon practice in Dublin answers some common queries on how to prepare for a child’s first dental visit
Q: When should I first bring my child to the dentist to have their baby teeth looked at?
A: Ideally before the age of two, and preferably when the first tooth arrives at around six months. Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to monitor the development of your child’s teeth and give you an opportunity to ask questions on brushing, maintenance and diet.
Q: What is the best time to schedule a visit?
A: Try to pick a time of day that suits you both, so that nobody feels too rushed, tired or hungry. For a first visit, it is particularly important to ensure that your child is as relaxed as possible.
Q: How can I prepare my child for a first visit?
A: It can be useful to introduce child-friendly books or songs about brushing teeth and trips to the dentist. Try to also use positive words and phrases such as check-up, counting teeth or looking at the mouth, rather than unfamiliar terms such as extractions or fillings.
Q: When should I start brushing my child’s teeth?
A: It is a good idea to introduce the concept of oral hygiene as soon as the first baby teeth arrive at approximately six months. Try introducing a small brush for your baby to hold at bath time so that they can get used to the idea of brushing.
Q: Should I use toothpaste to brush my baby’s teeth?
A: For 0-2 year olds, brushing with atoothbrush and water is best. From 2-7 years, children should brush twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Incorporating supervised brushing into your child’s usual morning and evening schedules is key.
Q: What happens at a first dental visit?
A: Depending on the child’s age, they can either sit on a parent’s lap, or else sit on the chair by themselves. The dentist examines the child’s mouth and gums, in order to identify any issues such as decay, crowding problems, or developmental anomalies. If needed, they may take an X-ray. They will then polish the child’s teeth and offer the parent preventative hygiene and dietary advice.
For more tips and advice on looking after your family’s oral health, visit dentalcareireland.ie
Taking care of teething in your little ones
In this week’s Q&A, Dr Niamh O’Grady from our Castlebar practice in Mayo answers some frequently asked questions about teething and offers advice on how best to ease the transition for little ones and parents alike
Q: When does teething start?
A: Although timing varies widely, first teeth usually start to erupt into a baby’s mouth at about six months old.
Q: Which is the first tooth to arrive?
A: The two lower front teeth are generally the first to appear, followed by the two upper front teeth. For some children, each new tooth erupts one at a time. For others, teeth can arrive in pairs or sets.
Q: When will my child stop teething?
A: Typically, most children will have a full set of 20 baby teeth by the time they reach three years of age.
Q: Is teething painful for children?
A: Signs and symptoms of teething vary from child to child. Some babies may feel little or no pain, while others show symptoms of teething that can last for weeks or months before a tooth erupts.
Q: What are the signs of teething in a baby?
A: While there is no single set of indicators, a baby may experience some or all of the following teething signs:
- Red and slightly swollen gums
- Red or flushed cheek(s)
- Excessive drooling/dribbling
- Chewing on objects
- Ear pulling or cheek rubbing
- Restlessness
- Reduced appetite
- Irritability
Q: Should I give my child a teething ring to ease discomfort?
A: A teething ring can provide a safe and soothing item for your baby to chew on, as well as a mild distraction from the pain. Never use a frozen teething ring as it could damage your baby’s gum.
Q: Are there any other ways to ease the pain?
A: Try using a clean finger or moistened gauze pad to lightly rub your baby’s gums in the affected area. The counter-pressure should help ease any discomfort. For babies over six months, some cold natural yoghurt or chilled fruit purée can also provide great comfort and relief for hot and swollen gums.
Q: How can I prevent skin irritation from drooling?
A: Excessive drooling is part of the teething process. To prevent skin irritation, keep a clean cloth handy to gently dry your baby’s chin, consider applying an approved moisturiser, and use a bib for additional comfort.
Q: Can I give my child medicine to relieve teething pain?
A: If your baby is experiencing a lot of pain and especially irritable, you may want to consider a suitable over-the-counter remedy such as children’s paracetamol, as recommended by your pharmacist.
Q: When should I first bring my child to the dentist?
A: Ideally before the age of two, and preferably when the first tooth arrives at around six months. Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to monitor the development of your child’s teeth and give you an opportunity to ask questions on brushing, maintenance and diet.
For more tips and advice on looking after your family’s oral health, visit dentalcareireland.ie
The Importance of Baby Teeth
Teeth Tips for Toddlers & Babies
Despite the fact that baby teeth will eventually fall out, the importance of deciduous or “baby” teeth cannot be overstated. A good primary dentition helps your child to establish strong biting and chewing patterns, develop speech, and hold healthy space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums.
Baby teeth are just as prone to cavities as permanent or ‘adult’ teeth. When a baby tooth falls out prematurely or is lost to decay, other teeth can tilt into the empty spaces and it can cause delay in eruption, as the ‘gate-keeper’ is now lost. Teaching children to look after their baby teeth from an early age, will also help pave the way for a healthy adult mouth.
Development of Baby Teeth
Even before they appear, baby teeth have begun their journey as far back as the second trimester of pregnancy. They usually start to erupt into the baby’s mouth at about six months, although sometimes earlier. Typically, most children will have a full set of 20 baby teeth by the time they reach three years old.
The baby teeth usually start to fall out from about six years of age. The first permanent molar teeth are the first permanent teeth to arrive and replace them, quickly followed by the permanent incisor teeth.
This pattern of loss and replacement continues up to around the age of 11 or 12.
Taking care of our baby teeth, therefore, is an essential part of developing good oral health for the future.
Teeth Tips for Toddlers & Babies
1.Getting started
As the first baby teeth arrive at approximately six months, it is often a good idea to introduce the concept of oral hygiene at this time.
In my experience, parents often find it challenging to introduce brushing and establish a good oral hygiene regime at this early stage. As all parents will know, toddlers and infants put everything in their mouths! So, why not a toothbrush?
Aside from being a dental surgeon, I am also a parent. I used to introduce a kids’ toothbrush at bath time, allowing my toddlers to place the brush in their mouths and get used to the idea of brushing.
2.Visiting the dentist
Early attendance at the dentist is the cornerstone of good dental health. The ideal time to bring your child to the dentist is before the age of two, and preferably when the first tooth arrives. This gives you, the parent, an opportunity to ask dietary and hygiene questions, and seek professional advice on best maintenance.
It also allows your dentist to establish a baseline record of your child’s dental health and development, further safe-guarding the establishment of good dental health and preventing the premature loss of vital baby teeth through decay.
3.Establishing a brushing routine
To keep their mouths healthy and help establish an oral health routine, regular brushing is key. For 0-2 year olds, brushing with a toothbrush and water is best.
From 2-7 years, children should brush twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Parents will still need to provide assistance and supervision with brushing, whilst at the same time encouraging children to manage their own brushing routine.
For children under 7, a mild scrub technique is generally recommended but your dentist is best placed to advise you on the exact technique suitable for your child.
4.Reducing bottle feeding
Most babies will be able to use a cup from approximately six months, and to avoid tooth decay, bottle feeding should ideally be decreased from 12 months old. Parents should also avoid giving fizzy drinks in a bottle. Cooled boiled water and milk are the ideal fluids for development and growth.
5.Baby teeth and soothers
Overuse of a soother can have implications for tooth crowding in the longer-term, and use of soothers should therefore be avoided unless necessary. If choosing a soother, however, opt for an orthodontic one, available in most pharmacies. Avoid dipping a soother in sugar or any sugary snacks.
Dr Paul O’Dwyer BDS, MSc is a clinical advisor at Dental Care Ireland. For further information, visit our children’s dentistry page.
