Each step in your child’s development makes you excited and a bit nostalgic because he grows faster than you expect. There are moments in that process that become precious memories. One of them is his first tooth when you start noticing a “white dot” on his gums, and you know that he will leave behind his beautiful “toothless” smile. We tell you at what age the baby’s teeth come in.
The teeth breaking through in babies varies significantly from child to child; it can start as early as three months, or even your little one can reach his first birthday without any teeth, explains the American Academy of Pediatrics.
At about three months, your child begins to explore the world with his mouth, so he sucks his little hands and has more saliva. Is this a sign that his teeth will soon come in?
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When do the first teeth come in?
During the second trimester of pregnancy, what will be the first teeth of the little ones begin to form, which are under the gums.
Around six to 12 months, the baby’s first teeth come in. Almost always, the lower central incisors break through first, the ones in front of the lower part of the jaw.
Naysha Reyes, a dental surgeon, asks parents not to be scared if their little ones’ teeth do not break through at this age because it is only an estimate. Some children grow them later, which should not be a cause for concern.
Nemours Kids Health explains the order in which teeth come in, based on age and tooth type.
- Upper central incisors: Between nine to 12 months.
- Lateral incisors (upper and lower): Between nine and 16 months.
- Canines: From 16 to 23 months.
- First molar (upper and lower): From 13 to 19 months.
- Second molar (upper and lower): From 23 to 33 months.
When your little one turns three years old, he will already have 20 baby teeth.
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How do I know that the baby’s teeth will come in?
The discomfort when the teeth come in also varies a lot. It can be painless for some children, while others may be very sensitive and have swollen gums. Here are some signs that your little one will be teething soon:
- He is drooling more
- He wants to chew things
- He has swollen gums; this can cause pain
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Loss of appetite
Relief for discomfort when teething
The American Academy of Family Physicians advises parents to ease their baby’s discomfort:
- Rub your baby’s gums with a cool washcloth. Massaging swollen gums can help relieve pain.
- You can give her a cool teething ring to chew on.
- Ask your doctor if you can give your little one any pain reliever (always ask first).
- Avoid gels with benzocaine; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that it can harm children’s health.
- Do not use homeopathic remedies, as they have not been proven effective or safe for children.
- Use comfortable bibs of a suitable size for your baby, this way, you will avoid that due to an increase in saliva, it wets his clothes, they feel uncomfortable, or he can get sick from the humidity.
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How to clean a baby’s teeth?
Cleaning is very important since the first pieces appear in your little ones. Naysha Reyes, a dental surgeon, reminds parents that they should clean their little one’s teeth daily. In addition, you should take your child to the dentist from the moment the first tooth appears.
Here are some recommendations from the American Dental Association to take care of your baby’s dental health:
- Clean his teeth and gums with a damp washcloth or gauze twice a day or after each meal.
- Between the first and second year, it is advisable to use a soft brush. Add a small amount of toothpaste without fluoride since it is safe if he swallows it accidentally.
- Regularly visit the dentist.
Taking care of your kid’s teeth is very important. Did you already know at what age baby teeth come in?
Translayed by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara
