Eruption of Primary Teeth (Baby Teeth)
Tooth eruption begins around the age of 6 months and can last until the age of 3 years. During this stage, your child’s gums may be sore and irritable. You can soothe them by gently rubbing the gums with a cold, wet cloth, the back of a cold spoon, or a clean finger.
A child’s central teeth, both upper and lower, are the first to appear and then other teeth erupt sequentially moving toward the back of the arch. The exception to this is the first molars, which typically erupt before the cuspids (canines).
The timing and sequence for the eruption of a child’s 20 primary teeth (baby teeth) is as follows:
Importance and Care of Primary Teeth (Baby Teeth)
Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, are shed, but they are still very important for a number of reasons. Children need strong, healthy baby teeth in order to chew food properly, pronounce words correctly, and maintain space in the jaw for permanent teeth. That is why it is important to take good care of the primary teeth by keeping them clean and healthy.
Even before the first tooth erupts, your child’s gums should be wiped gently with a wet cloth or gauze after every feeding. At the appearance of the first tooth, begin brushing your child’s teeth with water. Children older than 2 years should be supervised during brushing to ensure that only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is used and that the toothpaste is spit out rather than swallowed, and they rinse with water afterward.