Oral and dental health is of utmost importance for children to ensure that they grow to have beautiful, happy smiles and overall great health.
What can we expect of their dental development each year?
Although each child may be different in their own development, parents can refer to dental milestones from infancy to adolescence to get an idea of how their child’s dental well-being is progressing.
Keep reading to find out more about what to expect, from newborns to adolescents. This article provides the necessary roadmap to know what to expect from year to year.
A closer look at dental development
Dental growth refers to the eruption of the teeth from the gums, as well as the size and structure of the teeth.
Dental development refers to the important moments that shape the child’s overall dental health.
Let’s look at different stages regarding dental growth and development. Remember that the ages in this article are only referential, and your kid may have different stages according to their specific developmental moment.
From birth to their first birthday
The dentist and other parents regularly tell new parents about the “teething years”. This teething phase refers to the development and eruption of baby teeth from their gums within the first year of the child’s life.
Parents can expect their baby to show its first teeth between 6 and 10 months, although it is difficult to predict precisely when this may happen. Baby teeth start in the jaw, and the two bottom teeth (or the lower central incisors) are often the first to appear, although some children may be different. For example, having no teeth at age one is entirely normal; some babies are even born with teeth.
There is also a wide range of experiences with teething, with some babies experiencing much discomfort and others having no issues at all. You can observe teething symptoms: drooling, crankiness, red and sore gums, and difficulty sleeping. Parents can offset the symptoms by distracting kids from their pain through playing games, offering teething rings to chew on, and offering chilled baby foods to relieve the discomfort.
From 1 to 3 years
If all goes well, parents can see the formulation of their child’s ‘baby smile’ beginning to take shape. By the age of three, the child should be sporting 20 baby teeth.
Once the child has a mouth full of teeth, parents can begin to organise their first visit to the dentist for an appointment. This visit will ensure that all the teeth have adequately sprouted and that all the gums and the rest of their dental health are well. Parents should schedule dental visits every six months.
Parents can think of their child’s baby teeth as the foundation to build their speech development and create the space necessary for their adult teeth in adolescence. As soon as any teeth appear, parents can begin to softly brush their child’s teeth and floss between them daily. This way, parents will help build a healthy habit that will foster the child’s health well into adulthood.
From 3 to 5 years
Welcome to the “preschool period”, where the child may rapidly improve their motor skills. For example, they develop a stronger sense of spatial awareness and gain independence in completing some basic tasks independently, even tooth brushing.
The development of teeth during this period is also crucial for improving speech development. Parents can supervise their child to ensure they are brushing correctly.
Thumb sucking, although a common habit during this period, if left persistent after the age of four, can impact tooth development, particularly the front teeth which may push forwards and cause problems long term. Parents can continue the development of teeth through healthy and whole foods to improve dental and gum health.
From 5 to 8 years
Children may start to notice their teeth starting to move in their mouths, with some loosening and moving from side to side, until they eventually come out entirely. This is to create space for when their adult teeth begin to erupt.
At around 6 years of age, the first molars begin to show, often behind the rest of the baby teeth at the back of the gums. These teeth are responsible for 90% of chewing, and there are two in each jaw. From the beginning of this ‘early school’ period, children will need around 6 years to lose all their teeth. Adult teeth will replace these spaces. The exception is their wisdom teeth, which may or may not come after age 13. Some discomfort may be expected, but nothing compared to the pain experienced during the first baby teething period (lucky us!).
From 9 to 12 years
We are now in the middle childhood period, and parents will probably see all their child’s baby teeth fall out of their mouths. The eruption and growth of their kids’ permanent teeth are slowly coming into view.
This may be a tricky period, as children may not have developed enough space for all their teeth, and misalignment or overcrowding may take place. This is why an orthodontic evaluation may be necessary. An orthodontic evaluation at this age will ensure that there is enough time to initiate pre-emptive measures for better alignment and oral comfort.
Some parents may seek an evaluation as young as 7, but so long as parents work with their dentist twice a year, there should be enough opportunity to help develop happy, healthy smiles.
From 13 years onwards
Most teenagers should have 28 adult teeth by the time they are 12 or 13 years old. One to four wisdom teeth, which are extra molars located at the very back of the gums, may erupt between 17 and 26 years of age. Not all teenagers may need to have them removed. Remember, regular check-ups are the key to avoiding overcrowding or other dental issues.
Teenagers are not renowned for their healthy diets, which is why guidance from parents is important to ensure plenty of water is being drunk for hydration and fruits, vegetables, and whole foods are eaten. These contribute to healthy gums and teeth. Similarly, healthy brushing and flossing habits ensure one’s health long into adulthood.
Additionally, at any age, if your child participates in sports, investing in a mouthguard to ensure their teeth are protected may be a good idea.
What can you do as a parent during all these stages?
Navigating your child’s health can be a minefield, especially with their dental development, as so many things can happen to your child’s teeth. However, prevention is key, and so long as parents regularly work with their dentist, children can expect to maintain their beautiful smiles from their baby teeth in childhood, to their adult teeth in adolescence.
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