When your baby goes from gummy grins to toothy smiles, they’ve reached a significant babyhood milestone. Those newly erupting baby teeth serve an essential role in the development of your baby’s teeth and mouth.
Why are baby teeth important?
Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, get your baby’s mouth ready for their permanent teeth. Although baby teeth are great for sweet smiles and cuteness, they have other functions.
- They help with proper chewing and eating. During the chewing process, food is broken down into small pieces that are easily digested.
- They are necessary for your child to learn to speak. When primary teeth are healthy, well-spaced and aligned, your child is better able to form words and speak clearly.
- They serve as placeholders for permanent teeth and help guide them onto place as they start coming in.
We all hope for good health and a lifetime of smiles for our children. Here are some important facts and tips to keep those baby teeth healthy and prevent harmful dental problems for years to come.
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Baby Tooth Eruption Timeline
Teething, also known as primary tooth eruption, is when your baby’s first set of teeth breaks through their gums. Teething usually begins around six months of age. However, it’s entirely normal for teething to start at any time between three to 12 months of age.
Tooth eruption timeline
Baby teeth start forming before babies are born. Tooth buds begin growing during the second trimester. Once babies are born, the roots grow, and the teeth are pushed up until they break through the gums.
By the time they are three years old, most babies will have all their baby teeth, 20 in all.
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Signs of Teething
Every baby experiences teething differently. Some babies have no symptoms, while others seem to go through a lot of pain. Some common teething symptoms your baby might experience include:
- Drooling
- Irritability
- Swelling or redness of gums
- Ear rubbing
- Facial rash
- Mild temperature
- Sucking or biting
If your little one is having a difficult time during teething, there are some things you can try to help ease their discomfort and pain. Give them something to chew on, like a firm rubber teething ring or a cold washcloth that you’ve chilled in the refrigerator (not the freezer). Chewing helps by relieving the pressure of the new teeth pressing up. You can gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger or a wet gauze pad. If your child is eating solids, offer chilled foods, like applesauce, pureed peaches or yogurt. Make sure to give lots of extra snuggles and kisses to help reassure and distract them.
If your baby exhibits these symptoms and they don’t go away or seem to worsen, please contact your pediatrician. There might be something else going on.
