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The key to taking care of anything is gaining knowledge about it. For parents, this can mean a lot of research. One topic that parents may not think about early on is the dental health timeline of their child.
From birth through adolescence, teeth are grown, lost, and regrown. This causes significant changes in structure. It also requires special health and hygiene. Each of these stages can come with its own challenges.
Parents should expect teething first, then hygiene lessons. Afterward, parents will have to help their kids navigate wiggling teeth and tooth loss. Lastly, older kids should be encouraged to manage their own oral care and expect potential orthodontic intervention. Knowing what children’s dental milestones are and when to expect them can help parents be prepared to support their children through them.
Table of Contents
Birth to 3 Years: The Foundations of Oral Health
Most expecting parents know that they will have to help their child through the teething phase. Knowing the baby teething timeline will help parents prepare. This timeline can vary from baby to baby but most start growing teeth around six to eight months old. These teeth will continue to emerge until the baby reaches around three years old.
One of the most notable symptoms that babies experience when they are teething is excessive drooling. They also often will start biting or rubbing their gums to attempt to soothe them. Parents often also notice an increase in their child’s fussiness due to the discomfort.
Somewhat less commonly, babies will be less interested in food or milk. Parents sometimes note a fever when teeth are emerging as well. Typically, a single tooth takes a few days to come in. During that time, there are some things that parents can do to help relieve the discomfort of their child. Parents should discuss safe options with their dentist and pediatrician.
On that same note, parents should know that their child should know when their child’s first dental visit should be. This visit should happen by the time they are one year old or six months after their first tooth has emerged.
This may seem unnecessary since they only have a couple of teeth, which are being cleaned by their parents regularly. However, this visit is an important part of pediatric dental care. Any issues with teeth, tongue, or jaw formation can be determined at this visit.
This early visit can establish a healthy relationship with the dentist for the child. It helps create a sense of safety and routine for dental visits. Furthermore, this visit provides education for parents.
Caring for gums and baby teeth is a different process than caring for fully grown teeth. Consequently, it is critical that parents discuss gum and baby tooth hygiene with the dentist. The dentist can confirm when fluoride toothpaste can be started and the importance of fluoride as well as any other concerns they may have.
3 to 6 Years: Establishing Dental Routines
This is a great age to begin establishing independence in hygiene. However, parents will likely still need to remind kids in this age range to brush and floss. They will also still need to supervise them to ensure proper technique is used.
Kids in this age range should be taught to use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. They should be taught that they need to brush their teeth for at least two minutes. There are timers and toothbrushes that play music for the proper amount of time to help kids keep track.
This is also the time to introduce flossing. This can be a bit difficult from the perspective of fine motor skills. It is still important to demonstrate the technique and discuss the importance of flossing. Additionally, there are devices that can assist with holding the floss at the proper angle.
At this age, children should start going to the dentist once every six months. This helps set them up with the optimal dental routine throughout their life. At these visits, they will have their teeth cleaned and be checked for cavities or other issues. Initially, kids may have apprehension about going to the dentist. There are ways to reduce this anxiety and even make dental visits fun for them.
Education will occur at these visits. The dental team will demonstrate proper toothbrushing and flossing techniques. This gives the child an opportunity to ask questions and describe any concerns they have.
6 to 12 Years: Transition to Permanent Teeth
Children typically lose their first tooth around the age of six years old. This can vary though as some children lose their first tooth a couple of years earlier or later.
It is natural for children to be excited, scared, or confused when they begin to have wiggly teeth. Parents can help them by explaining that it is a natural part of growing. Parents should never pull or try to force a tooth loose. That can cause bruising or damage. Gauze can be offered after the tooth naturally falls out. This will help soak up the blood and the slight pressure may offer relief.
These years are possibly the most critical for teaching cavity prevention in kids. Children in this age range are discovering new foods. Many of which are sugary and sticky. They’re also losing teeth, which creates strange places. Therefore, parents should emphasize children’s oral health education.
Parents should explain why the proper fluoride toothpaste should be used in the right amount. Children in this age range should be taking the lead on flossing their own teeth regularly as well. It is a great time to provide them with a child tooth brushing guide.
While children will begin taking charge of their own daily oral hygiene routine. There are ways that parents can help their child still. One way is for them to maintain their child’s dental checkup schedule once every six months. Parents can help them prevent cavities using dental sealants. Dental sealants for children are a great option that can be discussed with the dentist.
Orthodontists recommend that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven. Not every child will require orthodontic intervention. However, if an issue is present or imminent an orthodontic evaluation for children will reveal it. After an evaluation, a plan can be made for managing orthodontic treatment.
Adolescence: Prioritizing Dental Health
Orthodontic evaluations and follow-up care should be continued through adolescence. Parents of children in this age range should expect them to have some orthodontic needs. It is common for children in this age range to need braces or spacers. This is especially true because their teeth have mostly all recently been replaced with large ones.
Oral hygiene should continue to be emphasized. This age group should be familiar with their daily routine. This should be maintained, but parents should also emphasize how overall health plays a role in oral health.
Adolescents should consider how what they eat impacts their teeth. They should also acknowledge that participating in sports can take a toll on overall health and that nutrition and balance should be applied.
This age group should maintain their regular dental checkups every six months. Adolescence dental care is critical for maintaining their fresh set of teeth. These visits will also help deter any complications before they happen.
Parents have so many jobs and helping their children learn about and maintain their oral health is just one of them. It is an important part of setting their children up for a life of good oral health. Parents can be prepared to walk their children through this by educating themselves about the developmental stages of children’s teeth.
Another way that parents can support their children is by creating a dialogue. Parents and children should have open dialogue with each other. They should have open dialogue with their child’s dentist. This will create lifelong healthy habits. Parents, call about setting up a dentist appointment or orthodontic consultation today!