Tooth Development in Babies
-
Pre-Natal Development
-
While most babies are born without teeth showing (about one in 2,000 may have a visible tooth at birth), tooth development begins well before a baby is born. Primary teeth (or baby teeth) begin forming in the womb about two months after conception. Permanent teeth start to form at around the sixth or seventh month. Mineralization of a baby's teeth begins in the fourth month of pregnancy, and will actually continue as the baby grows into a child and then an adolescent. Fluoride, calcium, and phosphorus are added into teeth structure as tooth buds develop. The nutrition of the mother during pregnancy can have a high effect on tooth development, as the baby's body is dependent upon the mother for materials needed to build teeth.
Tooth Eruption
-
A Teething Chart, Designed to Keep Track of Tooth Eruption
At birth, babies usually have 20 primary teeth that will erupt over the next three years. The first teeth to come in are the ones in the center of a baby's mouth, the incisors. These usually start to come in at around six months, but can start as early as three months or as late as 12. Upper and lower rows of teeth follow approximately the same schedule (though bottom teeth usually slightly precede top teeth). The two central incisors usually erupt first, followed by the lateral incisors on either side on them. Next, the first molars (toward the back and to the sides of the mouth), come in at around 13 or 14 months. The canines, the teeth between the incisors and first molars, erupt at around 16 months. Last are the second molars, the teeth in the very back, that will erupt at around 2 years.
Teething Process
-
A Baby's First Tooth
The process of teething is often a painful one for a baby, as well as being accompanied by more prominent drooling. Parents often give their children teething rings or other toys designed to be chewed on, as chewing can help to ease the pain of cutting teeth. Eating cold foods also can be soothing to babies, and if necessary, parents can administer infant-appropriate pain-killers. Excessive pain or fevers should not be part of teething--these symptoms, or other questions or concerns, are cause for contacting the baby's physician.
Infant Tooth Cleanliness
-
A baby's teeth will grow in over several years, and while they are erupting (and the permanent teeth are still forming), nutrition is still an important part of the equation. Once teeth have erupted, cleaning the teeth is also important. Toothbrush and toothpaste are not necessary immediately, as when babies are young their teeth can be cleaned with a damp cloth or gauze. Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggest the baby's first dental appointment be at either one year of age, or six months after the first tooth erupts, whichever occurs sooner. This first visit is often used to familiarize doctor and baby (and parents), and to gain guidance for continued teething and cleaning practices.
-
