Your Child’s Teeth primary teeth Caring for young teeth Around your child’s first birthday Toddler range 2-6 years of age: Between the ages of 6 and 12 Adolescence and adulthood;

Are you under the misconception that a child’s primary or ‘baby teeth’ are less important because they are 'just going to fall out anyways'?

Let’s dispel that mind set right now!

Primary teeth hold an important place in a person’s development into adulthood…literally. Aside from chewing, primary teeth are integral as place holders and spacers for adult teeth, they are important in speech development, oral and complete body health, and let’s not forget self-confidence.

Keeping primary teeth clean healthy and ensuring they erupt properly and around a normal development schedule is important for developing a healthy adult mouth with a beautiful smile.

Your Child's Teeth Development
Development Overview
Primary Teeth
Caring for Young Teeth
Around Your Child’s First Birthday
Toddler (Range 2 - 6 years of age)
Between the ages of 6 and 12
Adolescence and Adulthood


Your Child’s Teeth Development Overview:
A general timeline in months for children’s teeth to erupt is:
Six to Nine Months of age:
Lower Central Incisor (front teeth)

Eight to Ten Months of age:
Upper Central and Lateral Incisor (front teeth)

Fifteen to Twenty-one Months
Lower Lateral Incisor, Cuspids (canine teeth), and First Molar Upper First Molar

Sixteen to Twenty Months
Upper Cuspids (Canine teeth)

Twenty to Twenty-Four Months
Upper and Lower Second Molar

Caring for primary teeth:
Recognizing the significance of children’s primary teeth will help you understand why it is crucial that they are care for properly is an important step in protecting them.

Caring for young teeth:
Up to one-one and a half years of age: (risk of baby bottle tooth decay)
Clean you child’s teeth with a warm damp cloth after each feeding. Liquids such as formula, milk and juices contain sugars which pool against teeth and gums. Bacteria in turn feeds on these sugars leaving acidic plaque behind, resulting in decay. If you choose to offer your child bottles containing these types of liquids during the day be sure to clean their teeth throughout the day and avoid leaving them with the bottle for prolonged periods. In the evening if your child takes a bottle to bed ensure that it is filled with water only and remember to wash their teeth and gums in the morning regardless.

Around your child’s first birthday:
As soon as you’re comfortable bring your child by the office, we’d really like to meet them and it’s a welcome distraction to our day. Around their first birthday though bring them in for us to have a look at. Many of their primary teeth will have erupted and we should have a look and ensure everything is as it should be. These early visits are also great for getting your child comfortable with the sounds and smells of our office.

This early examination will allow us to determine fluoride needs, proper diet for oral and overall health, as well as helping you choose a proper tooth paste, tooth brush and allow you to practice their use on your child.

Toddler range 2-6 years of age:
All of your child’s primary teeth will be in and they may show interest in caring for their teeth. Depending on the interest and abilities allow them to participate but remember that your care for their teeth is critical for their development. Ensure that you use a soft bristled brush and teach them proper brushing habits. Please ask us if you have any questions or would like us to offer yourself and your child a refresher course.

Equally important is the type and amount of tooth paste you choose to use. Your child needs some fluoride for healthy well coloured adult teeth, but too much fluoride can lead to a condition known as flourosis. Only use a pea size amount on the brush and try to ensure your child doesn’t swallow the toothpaste.

This stage of your child’s development often allows us to foresee future problem before they become serious. This is also the stage where you should discourage the dreaded thumb sucking habit as it can lead to future oral problems. Remember to bring your child in for regular visits and cleanings to ensure they are comfortable and that their oral development is healthy.

Between the ages of 6 and 12:
Until now you’ve been brushing and caring for your child’s teeth, it’s time to ensuring that they’ve been paying attention, and pass on the torch. You should still supervise their brushings, but let them take charge of two of the daily brushings. It is a good idea if you perform or at least supervise one daily brushing particularly before bedtime until around the age of seven.

Around the age of six its time to add flossing into your child’s oral hygiene mix. This is a new task to them and they should be able to learn it quickly, but will be your responsibility for the time being and likely until the age of eight or nine.

You’ve probably been told about sealants by the time they reach this age. A fissure sealant is as the name suggests a dental product we use to fill fissures (deep crevasse especially in the back and hard to reach teeth). Sealants are a plastic coating that allows us to prevent tooth decay from occurring on your child’s chewing surfaces, we will suggest sealants if they will help protect your child’s oral health.

Adolescence and adulthood:
You’ve done your part and laid the foundation for your child’s oral health. With regular dental visits and everything you’ve taught them, your child should be on their way to a healthy adult smile. Remember to keep on them about proper diet, oral hygiene and habits (such as not smoking, nail biting etc), and ensure they visit us at least once every six months for a cleaning and checkup.

If they choose to play any contact sports you should ask us about proper precautions including a professionally fitted mouth guard.

Depending on their development, activities and habits they may need orthodontics or other dental treatments, but we’ll make sure they receive the care they need to smile with confidence throughout their life.