Pediatric Dentistry

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Let's Start From the Beginning!

Are baby teeth important?

Although baby teeth last only a relatively short time (most children lose the last ones by twelve years of age) they are very important for several reasons.

• They provide a framework for the future growth and development of permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, vital space may be lost that is needed to accommodate the permanent tooth that will replace it.

• They offer a pleasing smile for your socially developing child. A healthy set of baby teeth should look like a beautiful string of pearls!

• They help your child receive proper nutrition. Effective chewing requires healthy baby teeth. Decayed or missing baby teeth may cause a child to avoid certain healthy foods if they cause pain or don't function properly.

Eruption times of baby teeth vary from child to child, but on average the first baby teeth will erupt at 6-8 months of age. However, some children will have their first tooth earlier, and some later. It's all normal.

For every 6 months of life, approximately 4 teeth will erupt. By the time a child reaches 2 1/2 years of age they will usually have 20 teeth.

At about age 6 the first baby teeth will start to loosen and be replaced by permanent teeth. This process will proceed until all 20 baby teeth are lost, usually by the age of eleven or twelve.

We recommend that children have their first visit to our office by age one. By teaching parents to care for baby teeth from an early age we can help your child develop the habits and skills necessary to experience a lifetime of good dental health.

Please contact us if you have any questions about the care and development of your child's teeth.