When Should My Baby Start Getting Teeth?
The arrival of a new baby is a special time for many families. Whether you are a first-time parent or this is your third bundle of joy, life as you know it will change for the foreseeable future. New babies require a lot of attention, and there are milestones that parents often observe, such as the first smile or laugh, the first successful 'slept-through' the night, and the first time your baby responds to your voice or touch.
Another milestone parents are waiting for is the arrival of their baby's first tooth. As with most things about important milestones, they vary significantly from one child to the next. Read on to learn more about when your baby should start getting teeth and how to ensure a healthy and beautiful smile for years to come.
Need to schedule an appointment with the friendly staff at All Stars Dentistry? Call us today for any questions or concerns about your child's teeth, and we look forward to seeing you in our Cumming office soon!
The First Tooth
Dental eruption, the term used in the dental field to describe teeth breaking through the gums and becoming visible, usually occur in the lower bottom front teeth. However, no two babies are alike when it comes to getting their first tooth, but on average, most babies will see their first tooth by 4-6 months of age.
While it's common for children to begin the eruption process by six months, some children are born with teeth, and still, others can have gummy smiles on their first birthday. Typically, babies have all of their baby teeth by age 3.
What to Expect During Teething
Around three months of age, babies commonly begin to grab and pull things into their mouths, and parents might wonder if the teething process has started. Unfortunately, that is only sometimes the case. This process is the baby's first attempt at exploration, and parents should be patient when waiting on the first tooth.
A normal teething process doesn't harm a baby but can sometimes be painful. Parents will probably know when their baby is teething because the child can have discomfort around the mouth, have swollen and tender gums, or be fussy and agitated if the pain is too great.
To help alleviate the pain associated with the teething process, parents can massage the baby's gums with clean fingers, offer solid-filled teething rings, and provide cold or frozen cloths for the child to suckle.
If this is your first child, you might not know babies can sometimes run a slight fever during the teething process, so parents should be mindful and speak to their pediatrician about medication to alleviate the pain.
Make Your Child’s First Dental Appointment Today
You should make your child's first dental appointment when your baby's first tooth has erupted and by their first birthday. A pediatric dentist in Cumming is the best choice when searching for a dentist for your child's first appointment.
Dr. John and the staff at All Stars Pediatric Dentistry want to make your baby's first dental visit a walk in the park. So call them to schedule an appointment today!
