Baby's First Teeth
Even before a baby sprouts his or her first tooth, parents should
clean their child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush and
water or a soft wet gauze or cloth.
Sometimes, between 4-6 months of age and onwards, a child will
experience teething causing sore gums. Some parents prefer to sooth
their baby’s gums by providing a chilled teething ring or
a cold wet washcloth to chew on.
| Order
of Tooth Eruption |
| 6-10 months |
Lower central incisors (front middle) |
| 8-12 months |
Upper central incisors (front middle) |
| 9-13 months |
Upper lateral incisors (next to middle) |
| 10-16 months |
Lower lateral incisors (next to middle) |
| 13-19 months |
Upper first primary molars |
| 14-18 months |
Lower first primary molars |
| 16-22 months |
Upper cuspids (eye teeth) |
| 17-23 months |
Lower cuspids (eye teeth) |
| 23-31 months |
Lower second primary molars |
| 25-33 months |
Upper second primary molars |
* not all children are alike and teeth may erupt or
be lost at different times. This order is only a guide to eruption
times. Parents should not worry if their children’s teeth
do not erupt in this order or at these times. If concerned, visit
your dental hygienist
or dentist for reassurance.
Baby teeth (primary teeth) are very important for many reasons.
They not only hold the space for the permanent teeth that will erupt
later, they are important for biting and chewing, for proper speech,
and for physical appearance.
If a child’s teeth are lost early due to decay it can have
an affect on their overall health, self-esteem and confidence. Therefore
it is important for parent’s to begin good oral care with
their children as early as possible, teach good oral hygiene habits
and to encourage a healthy,
nutritional diet.
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