Tooth development of children
Udental Clinic regularly receives questions from parents about teething progress of their children. Especially, there are many cases of permanent teeth erupting in the wrong position due to premature loss of baby teeth. For a healthy young generation, our doctors will write articles to disseminate knowledge about teething sequence, common diseases of teeth as well as proper dental care, to accompany parents on a progress of taking good care for children’s dental health.
Topic 1 in a series of articles is about teething sequence.
Milestones to remember:
· When baby is born, she/he already has 20 baby teeth hidden under the gums. The first two middle incisors will emerge at 6 month of age, then every few months the next pair of teeth will grow. When your baby reaches 3 year old, he or she will have 20 full baby teeth on both jaws.
· At the age of 6, the first permanent tooth will erupt, which could be an incisor replacing a milk incisor, or a molar that does not replace any baby teeth. This is followed by the sequential replacement of milk incisors, canines and molars.
· 12 year old, the second permanent molar teeth will appear, perfecting the child’s full 28 teeth.
· Wisdom teeth may or may not be present. Usually wisdom teeth grow after age 18 if existing.
The above timelines are not fixed, some will be a few months earlier, some are months later. It is also normal for a baby to have their first baby tooth at the age of 10-month.
There are few cases who have abnormal number of teeth, this can be determined by examination and X-rays. Therefore, parents should take the child to a dental examination every 6 months so that the doctor can check the child’s teeth growth and replacement, so that there will be suitable and prompt intervention, if needed.
It is important to notice:
* The first permanent tooth to grow is most likely a brand-new tooth on the arch of the jaw, not a replacement for any baby teeth, so it will be difficult for parents to detect. Parents should pay attention to the child’s permanent teething process, especially when the baby is 5-6 year old. Please pay attention to taking care of this tooth, because this is an extremely important one. Many children come to Udental Clinic with a decayed and marrow-damaged tooth number 6, which is the main tooth when chewing. Damage to the pulp too early will lead to a higher risk of tooth loss, resulting in loss of chewing power and costly treatment.
* Many parents think that baby teeth are temporary teeth, so they rarely pay attention to care. The fact that healthy baby teeth are the prerequisites for healthy, permanent teeth. Maintaining healthy baby teeth is important for nution at early years of life and guiding permanent teeth to the right place which is related to beautiful arches in the future.
Take care of your baby’s milk teeth, he/ she will have a beautiful smile when he/ she grows up!
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Content: Dr. Nguyen Thi Tu Uyen, Udental Clinic