When will my child start losing his baby teeth? How can I be sure his adult teeth stay healthy?
Erupting permanent teeth cause the roots of baby teeth
to be reabsorbed so that by the time they are loose there is little
holding them in place besides a small amount of tissue. Most children
lose their baby teeth in this order:
- Baby teeth ordinarily are shed first at about age 6 when the incisors, the middle teeth in front, become loose.
- Molars, in the back, are usually shed between ages 10 and 12, and are replaced with permanent teeth by about age 13.
Children usually wiggle their teeth loose with their
tongues or fingers, eager to hide them under their pillow for the "tooth
fairy." If your child wants you to pull out the already loose tooth,
grasp it firmly with a piece of tissue or gauze and remove it with a
quick twist. Occasionally, if a primary tooth is not loosening
sufficiently on its own, your child's dentist may suggest extracting it.
If your child loses his baby teeth by decay or accident
too early, his permanent teeth can erupt prematurely and come in crooked
because of limited space. According to orthodontists, 30 percent of
their cases have their origins in the premature loss of baby teeth.
Brushing and flossing
Your child may need some help brushing until he is
between ages 7 and 10. Even if his intentions are good, he may not have
the dexterity to clean his teeth well. Ideally, the teeth should be
brushed within five minutes to 10 minutes after eating. Also, for
long-term dental health, your child needs to care for his gums as well;
he should be taught to floss regularly, preferably once a day, in order
to help prevent gum (or periodontal) disease in adulthood.
A tartar-control toothpaste can help keep plaque from
adhering to your child's teeth. Also, fluoride in the toothpaste can
strengthen the exposed outer enamel of the youngster's teeth and help
prevent cavities. Fluoride also has been added to the water supply in
many cities. If your own tap water has less than the recommended levels
of this nutrient, your pediatrician may suggest that you add fluoride to
your child's diet beginning at age 6 months, often as part of a vitamin
supplement. Fluoride treatment should continue until age 16. Ask your
doctor or dentist for guidance.
Dental checkups
Make sure your youngster has dental checkups twice a
year for cleaning, as well as for X-rays as recommended by your dentist.
Parents may choose to utilize a pedodontist, a dentist with special
interest and expertise in children's dentistry. Regular preventive
appointments will significantly decrease your child's chances of ever
having to undergo major dental treatment. Also, contact your dentist
whenever your child complains of a toothache. This pain could be a sign
of a decayed tooth. Until the dentist can see your child, treat the pain
with acetaminophen by mouth.
Preventing cavities
Your dentist may also suggest placing sealants on your
child's molars. These thin plastic coatings prevent plaque from
accumulating and becoming trapped in the pits and fissures of the teeth.
They are appropriate for all rear teeth that have grooves in them, and
because they are extremely successful in preventing cavities, they are
cost-effective too. Sealants may need to be reapplied during
adolescence. With a combination of sealants and fluoride treatment, the
incidence of cavities can be reduced by 90 percent.
Diet can also play a role in healthy teeth. In
particular, minimize your child's contact with high-sugar and sticky
sweets and other carbohydrates. Cut back on snacking on sweets between
meals, when these foods are more likely to linger in the mouth without
brushing.
- Last Updated
- 11/21/2015
- Source
- Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 5 to 12 (Copyright © 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics)
The
information contained on this Web site should not be used as a
substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There
may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend
based on individual facts and circumstances.
