Is it normal for my baby to start teething at three months? What are some of the things I should do when my baby begins to teeth? At what point are my baby’s teeth coming in late? Are baby teeth that fall out of significance? What are signs of dental problems in babies? What are signs that my baby may have crooked teeth?

Many parents don’t realize how important baby teeth are. They play an important role in how your child may speak, consume food, and smile in the future. In this particular post, we answer some of the most common questions that adults have concerning baby teeth.

Most babies’ teeth come in stages. The first teeth you will usually see will come in anywhere between month 6 and month 10. However, it is not unusual for first teeth to show up as early as month 1 to month 4. Many babies don’t stop teething up until age 3. Below we break down the timeline of when each of the various kinds of teeth come through. It is important to note that upper teeth tend to come to come out later than their corresponding lower teeth. The rate of teething and the timing can vary immensely depending on the baby.

Upper Teeth

Central Incisor: often the first to come in, at 8-12 months.
Lateral Incisor: 9-13 months.
Canine (Eye tooth): 16-22 months.
First Molar: 13-19 months.
Second Molar: 25-33 months.

Lower Teeth

Central Incisor: 6-10 months.
Lateral Incisor: 10-16 months.
Canine (Eye tooth): 17-23 months.
First Molar: 14-18 months.
Second Molar: 24-31 months.

There are many symptoms of teething that babies might show that would give a parent an idea that teething has begun. Some of these signs may not have to do with teething, however, it is worth checking if they occur. They include things like rashes near the mouth, drool, irritation and crying, loss of appetite, inadequate sleep, biting and chewing, and even fevers.

• Relieving pain: Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are usable for children, however, we recommend following the guidelines of a physician if using pain relievers.
• Keep a Routine: Having a routine will help a baby feel more comfortable if indeed they begin to teeth.
• Toys: toys and teethers are often helpful for a baby to chew on. Make sure if you decide to chill these, that they are cold but not frozen.
• Washcloths: often a chilled washcloth can soothe the discomfort associated with teething if the parent gently rubs the gums near where the teething is occurring.
• Fruits: frozen fruits such as bananas can often assist with the discomfort of teething.

Front teeth are important for giving your child a great smile, however, they are also important in other ways. Front teeth are very important for your child when learning how to speak. Without these teeth, your child might find it very difficult to pronounce words and phrases correctly. Front incisors are used for cutting foods into smaller pieces, so that they are easier to chew. By adding solid foods to your child’s diet as these teeth begin to grow, your child will learn to properly use these teeth to assist with eating. It can be exponentially more difficult for your baby to eat solids if his or her incisors are not helping to cut up food.

Back teeth also are very important when we talk about what they do for a baby’s mouth. After the incisors do the job of cutting up solid foods, baby molars take the next step by grinding the food and allowing your baby to swallow it. Without these teeth, your baby would simply not be able to eat as easily. In addition, chewing with baby molar teeth plays an essential role in the development of the jaw. This chewing will significantly aid in the proper growth of the jaw bone. As the jaw bone begins to develop more and more, it becomes much easier to introduce more solid foods into your baby’s diet. In addition, baby molars play a significant role in creating the proper space in your child’s jaw for the permanent adult premolar teeth that will soon come.

The staff at Wabash Valley Children’s Dentistry hopes that this information helps you understand the importance of baby teeth. As a local children’s dentist in Terre Haute, we make every effort to bring our experience to the community and educate parents on the importance of oral care for their children. We hope you learned something about the importance of baby teeth and how they develop. If you would like more information or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!