The development of teeth

The first teeth usually come through around 6 months of age. However, they can appear earlier. Some children are even born with one or two teeth. In other cases, the first teeth do not come out until 14 months of age.

When the first teeth appear

Teeth begin to develop months or even years before they break through the baby’s gums. In fact, the buds of baby teeth appear as early as the 6th week of pregnancy, while the buds of permanent teeth are present from the 10th week. The different parts of the tooth, such as the enamel and the root, will then develop according to a precise sequence during the pregnancy. However, the buds of the permanent molars develop only after birth, around 4 months of age for the first permanent molars and around 5 years for the second permanent molars.

In most cases, the 20 primary teeth (milk teeth) will come in one after the other until about 3 years of age. Their age of appearance is very variable. In general, however, they come out in the following order:

During this time, the 32 adult teeth continue to develop in the jaws. They appear between the ages of about 6 and 12. Wisdom teeth usually come out later. Some people do not have wisdom teeth.

How can I get relief from teething?

The pain of teething varies from child to child. Teething can go unnoticed, especially for the first teeth. In other cases, the onset of teething may be accompanied by discomfort. A bluish cyst on the gum or increased salivation may also be observed when a tooth breaks through. These symptoms last approximately 24 to 48 hours.

Contrary to what many people believe, teething does not make a child sick and does not cause a high fever. If a high fever occurs, teething is rarely the cause, so it’s best to consult Info-Santé or a doctor. Consult our sheets if your baby has a fever, diarrhea or a red bottom.

During teething, your child may put his hands to his mouth and seem to have itchy gums. No treatment is necessary in this situation.

However, a few simple methods can help:

Rub his gums with a clean finger;

If he salivates a lot and feels the need to bite, give him a clean washcloth dipped in cold water or a refrigerated teething ring. Don’t put the ring in the freezer, as this can hurt your child’s mouth;

If necessary, you can give your baby acetaminophen.

It is best to avoid :

teething gels. They work superficially and may interfere with your baby’s ability to swallow.

Teething cookies. They don’t provide relief and can cause tooth decay because of the high amount of sugar they contain.

Raw vegetables. They can cause choking. Don’t offer your child very firm pieces of vegetables until he or she is 2 years old.

Caring for baby’s teeth

Dental care is important from a young age because good dental health will have a positive impact on a child’s life. It will allow him to chew well and to be able to eat all the food he needs to develop properly. Good teeth are also essential for proper language development. Finally, healthy teeth contribute to good self-esteem.

It’s a good idea to get your baby used to brushing his or her teeth as soon as the first teeth appear. That way, brushing will become part of his routine.