Baby Teeth

Babies can begin teething from as early as 3 months, and as late as 1 year after birth.  The average time a baby’s tooth starts to show is 6 months.  Most children will get their full set of 20 primary (‘milk’) teeth by the age of 3.

Baby teeth are important for chewing, speech, social interaction, and jaw growth.

Some babies are born with teeth already in place – these are ‘natal teeth’, and the paediatrician or dentist may recommend removal to aid in breastfeeding – it’s usually a third set of teeth, and are inconsequential to further jaw development.

An early sign of teething is a swelling on the crest of the gum ridge, which appears just before the tooth makes it appearance.  The gums may be reddish in colour.  The baby will also salivate more, as the erupting tooth may be uncomfortable.  The baby may become restless and more irritable as well.  Appetite may drop, and this may cause distress to the parents.

It is a myth that teething is accompanied by fever or loose stools.  If a baby develops these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.

To ease the discomfort of teething, a cold teething ring, a cold wet towel or teething gels are useful.  It would also be useful to ensure that the holes in the teats of bottle-fed babies are large enough so as not to require baby to suck too hard.

Diet

The most common cause of tooth decay in children is from well-meaning caregivers giving sweetened drinks in feeding bottles.  Sugar is changed by bacteria in the mouth into an acid, which eats away at the teeth, causing tooth decay.  Another common cause is having the milk bottle in the mouth whilst baby is asleep – the pool of milk left in the mouth is a good - enough source of sugar to cause rampant decay.

Try to discourage sweets and sticky, sugary snacks and drinks – offer fruits or crispy vegetables like carrot sticks.  Biscuits are made with sugar, and this hidden sugar sticks to the teeth longer (haven't you had trouble with 'biscuit fluff' between your teeth after eating some types of biscuits?) and cause tooth decay.

Cleaning Teeth

It is good to start the toothbrushing habit before baby’s first teeth – cleaning of the gums with a wet towel (wrapped around a finger) during bath-times is a good way to introduce the baby to the sensation of someone cleaning inside the mouth.  As the first teeth appear, the wet towel may be used; or special, small, soft baby brushes.  It is usually recommended that plain water be used till the age of 1.  Up to the age of 3, a non-flouridated toothpaste should be used.

Dental Checkups

The child should be introduced to the dentist’s clinic at the age of 2 or 2 ½ years.  This will familiarise them with the different sounds and instruments, and is usually a good habit to form whilst young.  Parents should be careful not to ‘transfer’ their fears and phobia to the child – dental visits nowadays are very pleasant, comfortable affairs.

Some dentists recommend visits as early as 1 year of age, to pre-empt the 'stranger anxiety' phase of the child, and to catch any bad habits early.

Take-Home Points

Baby Teeth should be kept until their permanent replacements erupt because:

They allow for chewing of food.  Improperly-chewed food does not get digested well.  This can be from lack of teeth, or from avoiding chewing on painful, abscessed and decayed teeth.  This will affect health and growth

They help in jaw growth and in determining the development of the permanent teeth.  Early loss of baby teeth can lead to a stunting of jaw growth and development, and crowding or impaction of the permanent teeth later.  Also, facial symmetry and profile may be affected by lack of jaw development.

It helps in speech.  Sounds that require teeth to form may be affected by loss of teeth, and lead to bad speech habits which may persist through life.

Social development is important and a child needs to have a good self-image.  Loss of teeth may make the child self-conscious, and lead to ridicule from peers.

Not every dentist is comfortable treating children – indeed, some are downright terrified of child patients!  You need to bring your child to someone with whom the child id comfortable, and who is also comfortable with your child.

Every child has a right to enjoy himself – having a happy smile, and being able to have a mouth free from pain and disease, as well as being able to eat properly for growth are important for the child.