Dental Health in Children

Anatomy of children's teeth

Children's teeth (or primary teeth) play an important role in digestion and reserving spaces for permanent teeth. The tooth consists of a crown and root, and the tooth is composed of different materials that aid in strengthening, preserving and maintaining its function.

For more information, see Anatomy of Children's Teeth.

Teething

Teeth usually begin to erupt from 10 months of age and finish around 29 months of age. Biting, drooling, gum-rubbing, irritability, and sucking are all common symptoms 3 or 4 days before and after primary teeth come through.

For more information on this symptom, see Teething Troubles.

Dental hygiene in babies and young children

It is very important that primary teeth are kept in place until they are lost naturally. Most children will have some of their primary teeth up until the age of 12.

For more information, see Dental Hygiene in Babies and Young Children.

Nutrition and dental health

The main cause of tooth loss is tooth decay and one of the most significant factors in the start of tooth decay is what we eat. The diet we consume can also play a significant role in erosion of teeth as well as the development of defects in the tooth structure.

For more information, see Nutrition and Dental Health.

During pregnancy

There is emerging interest in the effect of the prenatal period on tooth development and the future risk of tooth decay for the child. Pregnancy, thus, is a critical time to focus on good dental hygiene..

For more information, see Dental Health and Nutrition During Pregnancy.

0–1 years of age

Nutritional needs for the first year of infancy are met primarily by breast milk and/or infant formula, followed by sequential introduction of baby foods starting with fortified cereals at approximately 6 months of age.

For more information, see Effect of Nutrition on Dental Health from Birth to One Year of Age.

1–2 years of age

Between the age of 12 and 24 months, most of the remaining primary teeth erupt, and by the third birthday, all of the 20 primary teeth have erupted. Feeding behavior changes throughout the toddler years.

For more information, see Effect of Nutrition on Dental Health from One to Two Years of Age.

2–5 years of age

At these ages, caregivers and healthcare workers need to ensure that good dietary habits, including regular meal patterns, are instilled in the child.

For more information, see Effect of Nutrition on Dental Health from Two to Five Years of Age.

Importance of regular dental check-ups

Even though many of us might think that our teeth are in good shape, regular visits to the family dentist are very important. Regular care and prevention of diseases in the mouth are the best possible care you can give your teeth.

For more information, see Importance of Regular Dental Check-ups.