Milk teeth are the first teeth of children before permanent teeth appear. The growth of the baby teeth usually has a certain order. Even though they will fall out later, milk teeth still need to be treated properly because it will affect the growth of the child's permanent teeth.
Milk teeth have many functions, including keeping space for permanent teeth, shaping the face, and helping children speak clearly, smile, and chew food properly.
Process Pmilk teeth growth
The formation of tooth germ begins when the child is still in the womb. The process of tooth formation is very dependent on the nutritional intake of the mother during pregnancy. In order for children's teeth to form perfectly, pregnant women must get adequate intake of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, and vitamin D.
Milk teeth will appear when the baby is 6-12 months old. Baby teeth grow gradually and will be complete by the time the child is 3 years old. The timing of the appearance of milk teeth in children varies. This can be influenced by race, ethnicity, demographics, and children's nutritional intake.
The total number of baby teeth in a child is 20, consisting of 8 front teeth (incisors), 4 canines, and 8 molars. The following is the order in which the baby teeth grow:
- The mandibular middle incisors (erupt at 6-10 months of age)
- Maxillary middle incisors (8-12 months old)
- Maxillary side incisors (9-13 months of age)
- Lower incisors (10-16 months old)
- Maxillary first molars (13-19 months of age)
- Lower first molars (14-18 months)
- Maxillary canines (16-22 months old)
- Lower canine teeth (age (17-23 months)
- Lower second molars (23-31 months old)
- Maxillary second molars (25-33 months old)
After 4 years of age, the jaw and facial bones will grow and develop to create space for permanent teeth or permanent teeth.
Children's teeth will enter the mixed dentition period at the age of 6-12 years. In this period, the child already has permanent teeth, but also still has milk teeth.
How to Take Care of Milk Teeth
It is necessary to maintain the cleanliness of the child's teeth and mouth when the first baby teeth grow. This is so that the baby teeth can grow properly, so that the permanent teeth will grow well later. There are several things you can do to care for your child's baby teeth, namely:
- Clean the child's teeth regularly, with gauze that has been moistened with water or with a soft toothbrush.
- Do not let the child sleep while drinking bottled milk (suck), because this habit can cause cavities in milk teeth.
- Checking your child's teeth regularly to the dentist, since his first tooth grows.
The growth of baby teeth in children can start at different ages, and sometimes the sequence is also not as mentioned above. Even so, if your baby's baby teeth don't appear after 1 year of age or their teething sequence is way behind schedule, or your baby's baby teeth don't fall out as an adult, it's best to take your child to the dentist for further examination.
written oleh:
drg. Robbykha Rosalien, M.Sc(Dentist)