Toddler Teeth
Much like toddlers, teeth are fickle things. Toddler teeth can expect to come through at around 6 months of age, but the teething process can begin at any time between the ages of 3 and 12 months. It can be a frustrating time for babies and their parents so it’s important to know the best ways to ease this frustration as well as how to keep their teeth sparkly clean!
Toddler Teeth
Toddler Teeth: Development
Baby teeth can arrive in any order, although the central bottom teeth are often first. All 20 baby teeth will usually arrive by the time your child is three years old. The 32 adult teeth replace the baby teeth between the ages of 6 and 20 years.
The below picture shows when you expect teeth to come in ("erupt") and to fall out ("shed"), but there is typical age ranges for each tooth. The emergence of teeth is generally symmetrical with the left and right teeth appearing at similar times.
Toddler Teeth: Care and Hygiene
Note: Teeth cleaning alone isn’t a guarantee against tooth decay. Diet plays a key role. It is best to avoid giving your child sugary foods and sugary drinks like fruit juice, soft drink, and flavored milk.
Getting your toddler to clean their teeth can often be an exhausting task, but the necessity of it cannot be understated. Like adults, toddler teeth need cleaning twice daily, in the morning and before bed.
For toddler teeth under two years, it is best to use a small, soft toothbrush. For toddler teeth aged 2-3 years old, use brushes with small oval heads, soft bristles of different heights, and non-slip, cushioned handles. The novelty of electric toothbrushes might also appeal to your child. Some electric toothbrushes can give a slightly better clean than manual brushes, but it’s best to go with what your child prefers.
Just use water on the toothbrush until your child is 18 months old unless a dentist tells you otherwise. At 18 months, you can start using a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste, unless a dentist recommends a higher fluoride strength.
Your child can start helping to clean their teeth at around two years of age. Letting your child hold the toothbrush with you will help them feel like they are part of the action. But it is important to note that your child needs your help and supervision with cleaning teeth until they are about eight years old.
Toddler Teeth: How To Brush
Note: If you’re using an electric toothbrush, avoid moving the brush in circles. Keep your hand still, and guide the brush across your child’s teeth and gums.
Stand or sit behind your child so that they feels secure. Brushing teeth in front of a mirror is a good idea too, as it lets you see your child’s mouth.
Cup your child’s chin in your hands with their head resting against your body.
Angle the bristles of the toothbrush towards the gum. Move the brush in gentle circles to clean the outer and inner sides of the teeth and gums.
Brush back and forth on the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Gently brush your child’s tongue.
Encourage your child to brush without swallowing. When your child starts using toothpaste, get them to spit it out. There’s no need to rinse after brushing because the fluoride toothpaste left behind protects your child’s teeth.
Top Tips!
Sing while you’re brushing. You could try ‘This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth, so early in the morning’.
Pretend the toothbrush is a train. You could try saying ‘Toot toot chugga chugga’ as you move the brush around your child’s teeth.
Let your child play with his favorite toy while you’re brushing.
Toddler Teeth: Visiting the Dentist
Toddlers should visit the dentist to have their teeth checked by about 12 months of age or when their first tooth comes through, whichever happens first. This lets your little one get to know the dentist, plus it also gives you and your dentist a chance to talk about your child’s needs and plan their dental care.
Talk to your dentist about how often your child needs to return for check-ups. Dentists usually recommend every 6-12 months.
Toddler Teeth: Teething Symptoms
For the lucky few, toddler teeth emerge with no pain or discomfort at all. At other times, you may notice:
Your baby's gum is sore and red where the tooth is coming through
One cheek is flushed
They are rubbing their ear
Your baby is dribbling more than usual
They are gnawing and chewing on things a lot
They are more fretful than usual
In order to help yourself and your baby manage their teething symptoms, you can do the following:
Invest in teething rings: Teething rings give your baby something to chew safely. This may ease their discomfort and distract them from any pain.
Teething gels: They contain a mild local anesthetic that may help with the pain. However, there's a lack of evidence that suggests teething gels are actually effective so it’s always best to try non-medical options for teething first, such as a teething ring. If you do decide to use a gel, make sure you use a teething gel that's specially designed for young children.
Painkillers: Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be given to relieve teething symptoms in babies and young children aged 3 months or older. Children under 16 years old should not have aspirin.
Comforting: Comforting or playing with your baby can distract them from any pain in their gums. Gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger may also help.
