Throughout childhood, your little one’s mouth is in for a rollercoaster ride of changes. Buckle up, parents! Your role is key in steering your child through these oral developments, ensuring they develop healthy, confident smiles. Let’s dive into dental milestones for kids to boost your confidence on this exciting oral health journey!
A Gummy Smile
In the first 0-4 months of life, the mouth is preparing for the primary teeth to erupt. Even though no teeth are visible, it’s a common misconception that oral hygiene can wait. Instead, gently clean your baby’s gums with a damp cloth or a rubber finger toothbrush after meals to protect underlying teeth from harmful bacteria.
Teething
Babies typically begin teething around 4-6 months old. During this time, continue cleaning your child’s gums. However, be sure to use a gentle touch since their mouth will be more sensitive than normal. Additionally, you can start using a baby-sized toothbrush and a pea-sized smear of kid-friendly toothpaste to clean the teeth as they erupt.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
Experts recommend that children should see a dentist when their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday, whichever comes first! After their initial appointment, children should see a dentist at least twice a year for preventive care. Dental care in these early years is essential because their dentist can identify any developmental concerns that may arise as their teeth come in.
Start Flossing
As soon as two of the teeth begin to touch (around 1 year old), it is time to break out the floss. Floss between each tooth at least once a day. Flossing helps prevent cavities from developing between the teeth and promotes optimal gum health.
Ditch The Pacifiers
Pacifiers are a great tool to soothe a fussy baby, but prolonged use can impact oral development and teeth alignment. Pediatric experts recommend weaning children off pacifiers by the age of 2 or 3.
Independent Brushing and Flossing
Between ages 3-6, your child is likely to become more independent and want to do more daily tasks on their own. Brushing and flossing may be one of these tasks. It is okay to let your child handle their oral hygiene at this age, just be sure to supervise them while they do so. Ensure your child brushes for a full two minutes, reaches all tooth surfaces, and flosses between each tooth. You may have to do a bit of a touch-up after they finish when they are first learning.
Tooth Fairy Visits
Get ready for the Tooth Fairy’s first visit around the time your child begins kindergarten! Tooth loss usually starts at age six and wraps up in the preteen years. The front four teeth go first, then the canines and molars. By 12-13, your child will have a set of 28 adult teeth. Wisdom molars are the last four to arrive between ages 15-22, but not everyone gets them.
Visit The Orthodontist
The American Association of Orthodontics suggests scheduling an early orthodontic consultation for your child by their 7th birthday. By this age, several permanent teeth have erupted, making it a perfect time to spot potential alignment issues. While some children may require early intervention, most will not need braces immediately. The goal of this appointment is to identify any underlying concerns and establish a plan for future treatment if needed.
Navigating the twists and turns of your child’s oral development will be a shared adventure. We are here to provide expert advice and guidance on your child’s path toward a lifetime of healthy smiles. If you have any questions about your child’s smile development, our team is happy to provide expert advice to help your child through each milestone.
