Teething In Infants
Many parents are wary of teething because of the sore gums and tears it can bring. When a baby is six to eight months old their first teeth will begin to grow. The first teeth will be the center two on the bottom, followed by the upper front teeth. The remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2-1/2 years old. At around 2-1/2 years old, your child should have all 20 teeth. The permanent teeth begin to erupt around the age of six. The process continues until around the age of 21.
When the teeth first come in, your child may be a bit fussy due to sore or tender gums. You can soothe their discomfort by gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger, wet gauze, or a small, cool spoon. You may also want to consider a teething ring for them to chew on. If your infant is still cranky or in pain, call Dr. Tiffany Lewis-Jacobs.
Permanent Teeth
The first permanent teeth that erupt are the molars and lower central incisors around age six. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, but they are also important for chewing, biting, speech, and appearance.
For this reason, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene. Once your child’s primary teeth erupt, you should be cleaning them with an ADA approved toothpaste and an appropriately-sized brush. Toothbrushes for younger children have smaller heads and bristles, which allows you to clean their teeth more efficiently.
