Humans are born with two sets of teeth – milk teeth (also known as primary teeth or deciduous teeth) and permanent teeth (also known as adult teeth). Milk teeth start developing during the embryo stage and erupt around 6 months to 2.5 years of age. They are eventually replaced by permanent teeth as a child grows. It is important to understand the differences between milk teeth and permanent teeth to ensure proper dental care for children as their teeth develop.
What is Baby Milk teeth?
Milk teeth are the first set of teeth in children. They are 20 smaller teeth that typically start erupting at about 6 months of age, and children usually have a full set of milk teeth by age 2.5-3. Milk teeth have thinner enamel than permanent teeth and are whiter in color. Since they are not as strong, milk teeth are more prone to cavities and damage. They typically last until around age 6 when they shed and are replaced by permanent teeth as the jaw grows to make space for the bigger permanent teeth. The shedding of milk teeth and the eruption of permanent teeth is known as teething, which can be uncomfortable for some children.
What is Permanent teeth?
Permanent teeth start developing during the embryo stage, but they emerge later to replace the milk teeth. There are 32 permanent teeth including incisors, canines and molars. Permanent teeth are larger, stronger and brighter than milk teeth, and have thicker enamel that is less prone to damage. However, they are more prone to crowding since they have to fit into the same jaw space as the smaller milk teeth. Due to this, some children may need orthodontic treatment to align their permanent teeth. Permanent teeth typically finish erupting around age 12-13, and they need to last for the rest of a person’s life so proper dental care is essential to maintain oral health and keep permanent teeth for life.
Importance of distinguishing the two types of teeth
By understanding the key differences between milk teeth and permanent teeth, parents and children can practice good dental care tailored to a child’s developing teeth. For milk teeth, focus should be on preventing cavities through brushing, flossing and limiting sugar intake. For permanent teeth erupting in children and teenagers, in addition to continued dental hygiene, monitor teeth alignment and see an orthodontist if crowding or misalignment is detected early to correct the problem. With proper care for both sets of teeth as they develop and emerge, children can establish good dental habits and oral health for life.
Bad habits that affect the jaw development of young children.
Some common bad habits that can affect the jaw development and teeth of young children:
- Thumb sucking: Sucking on thumbs or fingers is common in infants and young children to self-soothe, but prolonged sucking habit can cause misalignment of teeth and affect the shape of the jaw and mouth. It is best to help children stop thumb sucking by age 4 to minimize any impact on the jaw and teeth.
- Pacifier use: While pacifiers are useful for infants, prolonged pacifier use can also lead to teeth misalignment and issues with the jaw development, similar to thumb sucking. Children should be weaned off pacifiers by age 2 to reduce these risks.
- Mouth breathing: Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose can cause the jaw to develop improperly and lead to an elongated facial structure or other jaw problems. This is often due to nasal congestion from allergies or illness. It is important to treat any underlying conditions and train children to breathe through the nose to support normal jaw development.
- Bottle or breastfeeding for too long: While breastfeeding and bottle feeding are important for infants, continuing beyond age 2-3 can also negatively affect jaw development and teeth. At this age, children no longer need to breastfeed and should be transitioned to cup feeding to minimize the risk of dental and jaw issues from prolonged feeding.
- Poor dietary habits: A diet high in sugar or starch and lack of nutrients can lead to weakened teeth and enamel, increasing the risk of cavities, and may potentially impact jaw development. It is important for children to have a balanced diet with proper nutrition to support healthy teeth and jaw growth.
Orthodontics for children: What age is orthodontics for children most suitable?
Orthodontic treatment like braces are often most effective when started at an early age, typically when children are between the ages of 8-14. At this age, the jaw is still growing and orthodontic treatment can help guide the jaw and teeth into the proper position. Starting treatment at a younger age may also shorten the duration of orthodontic treatment needed. However, early treatment is not necessarily suitable or needed for every child. The orthodontist will determine if early treatment is appropriate based on an evaluation of the child’s jaw growth, teeth eruption, and other factors. In some cases, it may be better to delay full orthodontic treatment until all permanent teeth have erupted in the pre-teen or teenage years. The orthodontist can advise on the best course of treatment based on an assessment of the child’s dental development and individual situation.
Dental Clinic Home – 30 Trieu Viet Vuong: The Second Home for Children
Not only does HomeHome Dental Clinic – 30 Trieu Viet Vuong provide the safest and most effective oral care services for children, but the young customers of the clinic also recognize the special features when coming here.
The comfort and happiness of children are always prioritized. We have:
– A separate pediatric clinic to serve children
– A Lego and puzzle area where children can play and create freely in their own way
– A 1000-liter fish tank to create a fascinating space for children
Moreover, our team of doctors and staff have been trained in the psychology of children, helping your child quickly adjust and “tolerate” for dental examinations.
At Dental Clinic Home – 30 Trieu Viet Vuong, we also have a dental health care and counseling program for young children according to the standards of the German dental clinic.
In addition, the children’s records are always carefully stored so that when they come for regular dental check-ups, the doctor can accurately monitor the oral health status of the child and provide the most appropriate treatment method.
We will also provide advice to families and parents on how to care for their children’s teeth, as well as how to detect and prevent cavities. We will nourish children’s teeth to be strong and healthy, and detect early dental defects.
Health check-up package at Home Dental Clinic
By coming to Dental Clinic Home, children can also receive benefits with the “Kid at Home” dental check-up package. For only 799k/year, children will receive 4 comprehensive check-ups/year, 2 teeth cleanings, 2 dental fillings, and a 15% discount on orthodontic treatment costs.