When and where do the first teeth appear? What are the clues that a new tooth is about to be born?
It is said that the smile of children is the brightest thing that exists. In fact, deciduous teeth, which are present only during childhood, are known by the name of milk teeth, precisely because of the milky white color, much brighter than the final dentition of adults.
The deciduous teeth are 20, divided as follows for each dental arch:
- 2 central incisors
- 2 lateral incisors
- 2 canines
- 4 molars
When and where?
Teething, i.e. the eruption of teeth through the gums, follows a precise pattern and is complete at about 2 and a half years of age.
| Teeth | Age |
|---|---|
| Lower central incisors | 3-6 months |
| Upper central incisors | 5-7 months |
| Lateral incisors | Within 12 months |
| First molars (lower and upper) | 12-18 months |
| Canines | 18-24 months |
| Second molars | 24-30 months |
A question of genes
Tooth eruption times are not the same for everyone and can vary greatly from one person to another.
This difference seems to be linked to hereditary factors: if parents have developed their teeth early, in fact, it is more likely that the teething of their children also occurs early.
Some studies also suggest that environmental factors, such as nutrition, may play a role in determining when a child will develop their first deciduous teeth.
In fact, it seems that the moment of the appearance of the first teeth often coincides with the transition from breastfeeding to solid food, although there are still no definitive data in this regard.
Symptoms of teething: reality and fantasy
The process of teething is a fundamental stage in the development of children and can sometimes be associated with symptoms, some of which are quite annoying.
- pain; Without doubt the most commonly observed event: it is due inflammation of the gingival mucosa, irritated by the tooth that pushes to get to the surface.
- reduced appetite; It can occur as a result of pain, or difficulty in ingesting food, causing him to refuse or reduce the amount of food desired.
- irritability.
- increased salivation.
- reduced sleep; It may in some cases be related to teething… But in a very young child it is enormously common, regardless of tooth eruption, as many parents will know!
- desire to bite; Some children at this stage bring any object available to them to the mouth, probably because the pressure exerted on the gum relieves the discomfort.
There is also a whole range of systemic symptoms, that is, involving the entire organism of the child, which over time have become commonly associated with the appearance of a new tooth.
It is a pity that, in many cases, these are erroneous beliefs, without valid scientific foundations.
Among these “false myths”, we remember:
- diarrhea; is not caused by the appearance of milk teeth (nor of the definitive ones). Sometimes, however, increased salivation and Alteration in eating habits can lead to appearance of soft or more frequent stools.
- fever; It has no correlation with dentition, although it is conceivable that gingival inflammation, in very severe cases, can become so extensive as to result in the appearance of this symptom.
What to do?
The only useful remedy to help the little ones during teething is to give them something to bite, soft objects, preferably fresh, can help relieve pain.
Before intervening with drugs or other things it is always necessary to confront the pediatrician, who will be able to indicate to parents the most suitable behavior to follow.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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