It is never too early to take care of one’s teeth and gums. Oral care begins as early as your baby’s first tooth. Baby’s tooth buds begin forming in the gums during mom’s second trimester. As the roots form, they force the crown upwards. As this pressure continues, the gum tissue breaks down as they get thinner and thinner. Finally, they break down the gum tissue and emerge.
Signs your baby is teething:
Fever—Baby may run a mild temperature (usually less than 102 degrees).
Biting—to relieve pressure on the gums, baby may bite!
Drooling—as saliva is increased, the drooling can cause a rash around the mouth.
Gum rubbing—baby may rub his gums to relieve the constant pressure.
Other signs baby is teething may include unusual irritability, wakefulness, rubbing the ear, sucking and a decreased appetite.
To soothe a teething baby, try rubbing the gums lightly with a clean finger or a cold spoon. Don’t forget to clean your baby’s gums, you can do this by running a clean, damp washcloth along the bottom and top of the gums. As teeth erupt, brush them gently using a kid-friendly, soft-bristled toothbrush and water 2-3 times a day. Make sure your baby has their first dental visit by the time they reach one year, or six months after baby’s first tooth emerges.
Timeline for emerging teeth:
Baby’s teeth begin developing while still in the womb.
Baby teeth begin erupting from 3-12 months.
Teeth tend to come through in pairs, erupting on one side and then the corresponding other side.
By the age of three, baby will have 20 primary teeth (ten on top and ten on bottom).
By the time your child is six, he will begin losing primary teeth as the permanent teeth come in.
By the time your child is 12, all primary teeth will be replaced by permanent teeth.
Taking good care of teeth and gums begins early! If you have any questions, or to schedule an appointment, you can reach our dental team at 831-422-5351.