When you read about dentistry online, most of the advice that you’ll get is geared toward people who have had most of their adult teeth come in. While a lot of that advice transfers over well (like brushing thoroughly and staying away from sweets), little smiles require some special expertise to handle properly.
It’s worth taking some time to talk a bit about baby teeth specifically. Here are a few facts you should know if you’re a parent to a young child whose teeth are just sprouting.
Fact #1: Baby Teeth Come In At Anywhere from 6 to 12 Months
Every child is different, but typically you can expect your baby’s teeth to start to sprout at anywhere between 6 and 12 months. You’ll know that this is starting by the telltale signs of teething: drooling, irritability, and an uptick in chewing. The lower front teeth are usually the first ones to come in, and most babies have all their teeth by the age of three. However, this varies quite a bit, and you shouldn’t necessarily be worried if their teeth are late to come in.
Fact 2: Homeopathic Teething Remedies Often Do More Harm Than Good
Teething can be a frustrating time for any parent, and given the widespread popularity of holistic wellness treatments, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of homeopathic remedies designed to deal with teething.
For example, teething tablets that contain belladonna and benzocaine have found a market, but these substances are poisons that can be seriously harmful to your child. For that reason, the FDA recommends that people do not provide these types of tablets to their children.
Fact 3: If Your Child Has Teeth, They Need A Dentist
It can be a little bit difficult for some parents to gauge when to start taking their kids to the dentist. Some sources say that children should have their first dental appointment around the time of their first birthday, but the truth is that pediatric dentists are used to seeing children of all ages. If your child has gotten their first tooth, there are likely a few things that a dentist would want to look at, making that a great time to start taking kids to the dentist.
About Our Practice
At G&G Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we have focused our dental practice on children’s oral health so that we can better serve the needs of kids and their families. That means that when you visit us, you’ll find a dental office perfectly suited to making you and your family completely at home. No matter what it is that your child needs, we can promise that we have the expertise necessary to be able to help you.
If you have any questions about baby teeth, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (630) 778-9500.
