Deciduous teeth, otherwise known as reborner teeth, baby teeth, temporary teeth and primary teeth, are the first set of teeth in the growth development of humans and many other mammals. In some Asian countries they are referred to as fall teeth as they will eventually fall out, while in almost all European languages they are called milk teeth. They develop during the embryonic stage of development and erupt—that is, they become visible in the mouth—during infancy. They are usually lost and replaced by permanent teeth, but in the absence of permanent replacements, they can remain functional for many years.
Deciduous teeth start to form during the embryo phase of pregnancy. The development of deciduous teeth starts at the sixth week of development as the dental lamina. This process starts at the midline and then spreads back into the posterior region. By the time the embryo is eight weeks old, there are ten areas on the upper and lower arches that will eventually become the deciduous dentition. These teeth will continue to form until they erupt in the mouth. In the deciduous dentition there are a total of twenty teeth: five per quadrant and ten per arch. The eruption of these teeth begins at the age of six months and continues until twenty-five to thirty-three months of age. Usually, the first teeth seen in the mouth are the mandibular centrals and the last are the maxillary second molars.
Even though baby teeth are temporary, dentists stress that they need to be taken care of as diligently as permanent teeth.
Cavities are still woefully common in today's children. According to a 2003 U.S. Surgeon General's report, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. It's five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. The CDC reports that 17% of children aged 2-4 already have some tooth decay.
Baby teeth serve many critical functions. First and foremost, kids need them to chew. But many parents don't realize that the positions of baby teeth are also the blueprint for adult teeth.
When the permanent teeth start to erupt, they are guided by the roots of the baby teeth. If baby teeth are missing, the permanent teeth are likely to come in askew.
Tooth loss can be the ultimate consequence of tooth decay, but it's not necessarily the worst. Failing to take good care of your child's first teeth can lead to considerable expense for you and pain and anxiety for your child, if repeated drilling becomes necessary.
The AAPD tells parents to bring a child in for the first checkup six months after the first baby tooth comes in. That first tooth usually erupts around 6 months of age. But in case the first tooth comes in later, a visit is recommended no later than the first birthday.Deciduous teeth, otherwise known as reborner teeth, baby teeth, temporary teeth and primary teeth, are the first set of teeth in the growth development of humans and many other mammals. In some Asian countries they are referred to as fall teeth as they will eventually fall out, while in almost all European languages they are called milk teeth. They develop during the embryonic stage of development and erupt—that is, they become visible in the mouth—during infancy. They are usually lost and replaced by permanent teeth, but in the absence of permanent replacements, they can remain functional for many years.
Deciduous teeth start to form during the embryo phase of pregnancy. The development of deciduous teeth starts at the sixth week of development as the dental lamina. This process starts at the midline and then spreads back into the posterior region. By the time the embryo is eight weeks old, there are ten areas on the upper and lower arches that will eventually become the deciduous dentition. These teeth will continue to form until they erupt in the mouth. In the deciduous dentition there are a total of twenty teeth: five per quadrant and ten per arch. The eruption of these teeth begins at the age of six months and continues until twenty-five to thirty-three months of age. Usually, the first teeth seen in the mouth are the mandibular centrals and the last are the maxillary second molars.
Even though baby teeth are temporary, dentists stress that they need to be taken care of as diligently as permanent teeth.
Cavities are still woefully common in today's children. According to a 2003 U.S. Surgeon General's report, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. It's five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. The CDC reports that 17% of children aged 2-4 already have some tooth decay.
Baby teeth serve many critical functions. First and foremost, kids need them to chew. But many parents don't realize that the positions of baby teeth are also the blueprint for adult teeth.
When the permanent teeth start to erupt, they are guided by the roots of the baby teeth. If baby teeth are missing, the permanent teeth are likely to come in askew.
Tooth loss can be the ultimate consequence of tooth decay, but it's not necessarily the worst. Failing to take good care of your child's first teeth can lead to considerable expense for you and pain and anxiety for your child, if repeated drilling becomes necessary.
The AAPD tells parents to bring a child in for the first checkup six months after the first baby tooth comes in. That first tooth usually erupts around 6 months of age. But in case the first tooth comes in later, a visit is recommended no later than the first birthday.
