Human beings aren’t the only mammals to grow baby teeth and then lose them. Dr. Charlotte Grayson explains why this happens and why it’s important to take care of baby teeth.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Good question. Every time the tooth fairy pays a visit, you may wonder–why do kids grow a mouthful of teeth, only to lose them just a few years later?
Well, humans aren’t the only mammals to have baby teeth. Dogs have them. So do rabbits and cows. In animals they’re called milk teeth. Other animals–like the shark–keep growing and shedding new teeth their entire lives.
In humans, baby teeth–which are also called primary or deciduous teeth–do more than give kids an adorable smile. They actually serve very useful purposes like helping your baby chew solid food and talk. Teeth also give shape to a child’s face.
Most baby teeth pop up in the same order:
– First the two bottom front teeth–the lower central incisors.
– Then the two top front teeth–the upper central incisors.
– The lateral incisors–which sit next to the front teeth–come in next, at 7 to 10 months.
– The first molars emerge at around a year.
– Then the cuspids, or eye teeth, appear between months 14 and 20.
– Finally, the second molars should arrive around a child’s third birthday…. for a total of 20 teeth.
About three years later, these teeth start falling out, as the permanent teeth push them out of the way. We need these bigger, stronger teeth to help us eat an adult diet.
But baby teeth are still important. They’re space holders for adult teeth. If a baby tooth falls out early because of tooth decay, the permanent tooth might grow in crooked. That’s why baby teeth should be kept clean, starting as soon as they appear.
Rub the teeth and gums with a wet washcloth or piece of gauze after each feeding. After a child’s first birthday, introduce a toothbrush and fluoride-free toothpaste. Also make a first dentist appointment at around the same time.
By age 2, kids should be able to start brushing their own teeth–with a little help from you.
Getting your child into the habit of good oral hygiene early can improve the odds of having healthy adult teeth for life. And that’s important because unlike sharks, we unfortunately can’t grow more.