Teething and how to care for baby teeth
Baby teeth: good habits to adopt
Baby's baby teeth usually come out from 6 months. They need to be taken great care of, especially to avoid tooth decay. Eating habits, brushing baby teeth, first visit to the dentist: develop the right reflexes for healthy baby teeth!
Baby teeth
Did you know that taking care of your baby's teeth starts before birth? Hidden under the gums, the foetus's dental buds form from the 8th week of pregnancy! The mother's diet already determines the structure of the baby's future teeth. After birth, as soon as the baby teeth appear, baby's oral hygiene becomes of paramount importance.
Teething up to 3 years old
Baby teeth, or temporary teeth, usually start to grow around 6 months of age. The eruption of teeth varies from one child to another. Don't be alarmed if your baby doesn't fit into the usual averages. For most children, all 20 baby teeth come out before the age of 3. These average intervals are as follows:
- from 8 to 13 months: the 8 incisors;
- from 16 to 23 months: the 4 canines;
- from 12 to 19 months: the first 4 premolars;
- from 23 to 30 months: the 4 second premolars.
Teething is often a stressful time for babies. To learn more, read our article “Teething: How to Relieve Baby? ”
Baby teeth: good eating habits
To take care of your baby's first teeth, offer him still water to drink. Avoid sugary drinks that promote the appearance of cavities , especially at bedtime, as well as snacking on biscuits during the day. Sodas and fruit juices are also too acidic and contribute to the deterioration of the enamel, that is to say the protective layer of the teeth.
" Baby bottle syndrome " or " baby bottle tooth decay " is a yellowish or even blackish discoloration of baby's milk teeth with the appearance of cavities. This syndrome is observed when a baby falls asleep with a bottle of sweet liquid in his mouth (milk, water syrup, fruit juice, etc.). During sleep, the contact between his teeth and the sweet liquid is prolonged. Saliva, which plays an effective protective role when awake, is produced in smaller quantities. Acid attacks are then more aggressive on baby teeth, which are more fragile than on permanent teeth.
If you give your baby a pacifier (or pacifier) to satisfy his or her sucking needs , absolutely avoid coating the end with sugar water or honey for the same reasons.
Installing an infection can be very quick, get into good habits right away!
Baby's first visit to the dentist
The first appointment for oral health prevention must be made at the age of 6. This consultation is mandatory and fully covered by Health Insurance. However, the French Union for Oral Health (UFSBD) recommends a first consultation with the dentist within 6 months of the appearance of the baby's first tooth. In all cases, this consultation must take place before the age of one.
The dentist will check the proper development of the jaws and the oral health of the baby (presence of cavities, injuries to the mucous membranes or gums, etc.). His advice will be invaluable for taking care of the baby's first teeth.
If the dentist agrees, your child can even accompany you to your own appointments! These visits will familiarize him with the practitioner and the office. For this idea to be constructive, you must of course be comfortable with dental consultations yourself. Otherwise, you risk conveying your own fear to your child.
Brushing baby's teeth
When teeth are coming through, passing a damp compress over the baby's gums helps remove food debris and dental plaque. Repeated after each meal, this simple action prevents the formation of cavities. Once the teeth have come through, using a toothbrush is essential.
Baby toothbrush and toothpaste
Until the age of 3, brushing your baby's teeth should be done by an adult. A soft toothbrush with a small head provides gentle brushing so as not to hurt your child. It is only from the age of 3 that your young child can start brushing their teeth themselves, always with the assistance of an adult.
Before your child can spit (usually not before the age of 2), using toothpaste is not advisable: gentle brushing with water, preferably in the evening, is enough to maintain sufficient oral hygiene.
Toothpastes are specially formulated for children from 2 years old. By following the recommendations of a health professional, you can then move on to 2 daily brushings. A small amount is enough so that the child does not swallow too much toothpaste.
To choose them better, look at the formulations of the toothpastes you buy. As a precaution, prefer to avoid those that contain titanium dioxide for young children. Fluoride is a trace element that plays a protective role against dental caries. It is naturally present in the foods we eat but also in drinking water. It is important to do a fluoride intake assessment with the pediatrician or dentist before considering supplementation: too much fluoride could stain baby's teeth (fluorosis).
Young children: tips for effective brushing
To properly brush your baby's teeth, start with the upper teeth and then move on to the lower teeth. Move the toothbrush from the gum to the tooth using small movements. It is often said that you always go from pink (of the gum) to white (of the tooth). After brushing the outer and inner surfaces, brush the tops of the teeth.
From the age of 3, under your supervision, your child can perform the gestures alone. It is important that he becomes aware of the importance of good oral hygiene. The 1-2-3-4 method is recommended by many dentists. It involves teaching him to brush a quarter of his jaw at a time.
It is recommended to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, which may seem like a long time for a child. You can count down this time in a fun way using an hourglass, or sing or play a 2-minute nursery rhyme. There are also toothbrushes that change color after the required time has elapsed.
What to do about baby teething problems?
My child has lost a tooth, what should I do?
In general, baby teeth start to fall out around the age of 5. If your child cut their first teeth early, especially before the age of 6 months, it is possible that they will fall out earlier. However, early loss of baby teeth can also be a sign of infection or shock due to an unnoticed fall, for example. If in doubt, consult your dentist.
My child has a gaping bite because of a pacifier or thumb, what should I do?
It is best to consult an orthodontist. This is a specialist in the proper positioning of the bone structures of the mouth. He will check the dental and maxillary positioning, and that the child's palate is not too narrow. At this age, most treatments are preventive and aim to eliminate sucking habits, but also to educate the child on his respiratory and swallowing functions. The intervention of a physiotherapist or speech therapist is common.