Baby Teeth Facts
A total 20 "baby teeth" start to appear in a child's mouth between six and 12 months of age. By age 3, most kids have their full set of primary teeth. Those teeth start to fall out about the time a child starts kindergarten, when the process of getting 32 adult or "permanent" teeth begins. Baby teeth are small, but of no small importance.
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Common Misconceptions
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Because baby teeth start to fall out when children are very young, some people think of baby teeth as unimportant. However, baby teeth are important--and that importance can last a lifetime.
Some primary teeth are intended to last for the first 12 to 14 years of a person's life, so baby teeth have a lot of work to do before they fall out.
Significance
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Primary or "baby" teeth help children learn to make sounds (that eventually become speech) and also help children graduate to solid foods.
Baby teeth also create pathways for permanent teeth, which will erupt--with varying degrees of discomfort--as a child grows.
While some people refer to primary teeth somewhat disparagingly as "space holders," that is, in fact, one of the very important jobs baby teeth hold. Permanent teeth, much larger than baby teeth, begin forming in the jaw long before baby teeth become loose. Meanwhile, of course, the jaw and the rest of the body grows--and the baby teeth "space holders" keep the mouth and jaw in alignment so permanent teeth can arrive and do their job, for life. That is, if a lifetime of good dental care gets started early.
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Cavity, Disease Prevention?
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Good dental health starts before kids even have teeth. Most dentists and other doctors recommend wiping off a baby's gums as a precursor to brushing, and to begin regular brushing (with a very small, soft toothbrush or specially designed dental cleansing wipe) as soon as a child's first tooth appears.
Several recent studies have suggested a relationship between good dental health and the reduction of risk of serious, long-term health problems, including heart disease.
When to Meet the Dentist
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Most dentists recommend children start visiting the dentist when the first teeth come in. However, many insurance plans don't cover children's dental visits until age 3 or 4.
While some parents worry about thumbsucking, most dentists recommend parents concentrate more on brushing and good general dental hygiene. Thumbsucking in general is a short-lived habit that does not harm teeth.
Preventative Steps, Treatments
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In addition to good tooth brushing habits, getting a healthy, balanced diet is important to maintaining good dental health.
Fluoride is proven to help prevent tooth decay, and fortunately, most drinking water in developed areas contains enough fluoride to aid in protecting a child's teeth.
In some cases, particularly when there is a family history of tooth decay, dentists may recommend dental sealants to further protect the baby teeth.
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