Here's when to expect your baby’s teeth

Massaging your baby’s gum with a clean, soft and wet cloth can help ease any teething discomfort. — Photos: Positive Parenting

Some parents may think that as baby teeth are not permanent, they don’t have to prioritise their young child’s dental health.

This is actually a grave misconception.

The growth of both baby and permanent teeth is a crucial part of child development.

Apart from other developmental milestones, parents should also monitor and be aware of their child’s dental development during the early years.

First of all, it is good to learn about the types of teeth for both baby teeth and permanent teeth. They are:

• Incisors

  These are the front teeth with a thin cutting edge that function to bite and cut food.

  There are eight incisors in both baby and permanent teeth, comprising central and lateral incisors.

• Canines

  These are the pointy teeth located next to the incisors, which are used to tear food.

  There are four canines in both baby and permanent teeth.

• Molars and premolars

  These teeth with broad, flat surfaces located to the side and back of the mouth, serve to crush and grind food.

  There are eight molars in baby teeth and 12 molars in permanent teeth.

  The eight premolar teeth are smaller than the molars and are present in permanent teeth only.

Dental development

Teething is the process of baby teeth erupting or breaking through the gum.

Typically, the first teeth to erupt are the two central incisors on the lower jaw at around the age of six months.

These are followed by the two central upper incisors, upper and lower lateral incisors, the four first molars, the four canines, and finally, the four second molars.

Usually, one tooth will erupt per one to two months once teething starts.

The timing of eruption may vary among children, while the sequence tends to be more consistent.

In general, a child should have a complete set of 20 baby teeth by the age of two to three years.

Do note that it is normal to have some spacing between the upper front teeth and no treatment is required.

This is a natural growth process to provide the necessary space for the larger permanent teeth.

Teething may feel uncomfortable to children; here are some ways to provide relief:

• Massage the gum with a clean, soft, wet cloth.
• Provide chilled teething rings.
• Give them unsweetened teething rusks.
• Use pain-relief medications.

The permanent teeth will begin to emerge between the ages of six to seven years.

Typically, the first permanent teeth to erupt are the first molars, which may emerge behind the baby molars.

Next, the lower permanent incisors may also emerge behind the baby incisors, giving the impression of a double layer.

This is not a cause for concern as baby teeth will get wobbly and fall out as permanent teeth emerge and move into the correct position.

Parents must ensure that the erupting teeth are cleaned as well.

The rest of the permanent teeth will follow and grow into the gaps left by baby teeth that are lost.

Between the ages of six and 12 years, children will have a mixture of both baby and permanent teeth in their mouth.

By the age of 21 years, a person will have a full set of 32 permanent teeth, including the wisdom teeth (or the third molars).

The timeline for the development of baby teeth.

Important foundation

Baby teeth are not permanent, but they are a crucial part of your child’s dental development.

Baby teeth reserve and create space for permanent teeth to grow into.

They also play a role in the normal development of speech and facial structure.

Healthy baby teeth also help in attaining good nutrition and giving a good start to the permanent teeth, as decay or infection in baby teeth can affect food consumption and dental development.

Hence, taking care of dental health should start from an early age.

Parents should teach their child to brush their teeth with fluoridated toothpaste as soon as they are old enough to handle a toothbrush.

You can take your child to their first dental visit when the first tooth emerges, or latest by the age of one year.

Starting early is the best way to establish good dental care in your child.

Associate Professor Dr Annapurny Venkiteswaran is a consultant paediatric dentist. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.