As a parent, watching your child grow can be both exciting and a little scary. One milestone that you may find yourself particularly unprepared for is when your baby’s teeth start coming in.
While it may seem like an intimidating experience, there are a few key things to know about baby teeth coming in that can help make the process smoother and less intimidating.
Timeline of baby’s teeth coming in
It is important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all timeline for when baby teeth will come in or how many teeth will appear at once.
Generally speaking, however, most babies have their first tooth by 6 months old and all 20 primary (baby) teeth by 3 years old.
Typically, the two bottom front teeth come in first, followed by the four upper middle front teeth; this usually happens around 8-12 months old.
If your baby’s teeth don’t come in on time or seem delayed, you should speak with your pediatrician who can provide further guidance and insight.
Taking care of your baby’s teeth
As soon as your baby has one tooth, you should start taking care of it!
Fortunately, taking care of your baby’s mouth is fairly simple but still very important; it helps prevent cavities and other dental problems down the line.
The most important thing parents can do is to start brushing their child’s teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush; this gets them used to the sensation of having something moving around their mouth which makes regular visits to the dentist much easier down the road.
Flossing can start once two adjacent teeth touch each other (usually around age 2).
Additionally, limiting sugary drinks such as juice or soda and avoiding putting your baby to bed with a bottle are great ways to keep their mouth healthy.
Caring for your baby’s mouth may seem daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be! With the right steps, you can have a stress-free experience.
Knowing what stage of development your baby is in terms of teething and understanding how to properly take care of those new emerging pearly whites are just some easy steps you can take towards making sure they develop healthy habits early on and stay happy while they do it!
As always if you have any questions regarding teething and proper dental hygiene practices feel free to consult with a pediatric dentist or medical professional who will be more than happy answer any concerns you may have!
