The arrival of baby teeth can be a mixed experience for new parents. There are often sleepless nights due to teething pain. But then, adorable little white teeth appear in a baby's smile.
Baby teeth, also called primary or milk teeth, do more than just make babies cute. They are crucial for a child's development. New research even suggests they might offer clues about a baby's time in the womb and their future health.
Dr. Priyanka Rao, a pediatrician at UNC Health, explained why baby teeth are important and how parents can keep them healthy.
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Start Your News DetoxHow Baby Teeth Develop
Baby teeth start forming early in pregnancy, around six weeks of gestation. Tooth buds appear first. By the third or fourth month, hard tissue forms, giving teeth their structure.
Sometimes, babies are born with "natal teeth." These are not the same as regular baby teeth. Natal teeth usually fall out within the first month, making way for the actual baby teeth. Dr. Rao says they are remnants from early embryonic development.
After birth, teeth typically start to appear between six and nine months of age. Usually, the bottom two middle teeth or top two middle teeth come in first. Then, other teeth develop outward. Most children have all 20 baby teeth by age two.
Parents should not worry if their 15-month-old doesn't have teeth yet. Dentists usually don't become concerned until a child is closer to age two. Dr. Rao notes that tooth eruption is one of the most random developmental milestones. While genetics might play a role, the exact reason for this randomness is unknown.
The Purpose of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth serve several important functions. They hold space for permanent teeth, which start to appear around age six or seven. They also help the jaw develop correctly. Dr. Rao explains that baby teeth support the growth and development of the jaw bone.
These teeth also emerge when babies need them for eating and talking. They usually appear as babies begin to eat solid foods. Dr. Rao mentioned they were once called "weaning teeth" because they arrive when babies start transitioning from milk to solid foods.
Teeth are also vital for speech development. They tend to come in around the time language skills are forming. The front top teeth are especially important for making strong sounds, like the "t" in "teeth."
Dr. Rao says baby teeth help us move our tongue and make different sounds. Because of this, it's important to watch speech development in children who lose baby teeth early due to injury. While speech may develop normally, some children might need speech therapy.
What Baby Teeth Can Reveal
Since baby teeth develop early in pregnancy, researchers are studying if they can provide insights into a mother's health during pregnancy and a baby's future health. About 90% of baby teeth have faint lines in the enamel called neonatal lines.
A 2021 study in JAMA Network Open found that these lines might record a mother's experiences during pregnancy. Children whose mothers had depression, anxiety, or a history of psychiatric problems had wider neonatal lines. Children whose mothers reported strong social support had narrower ones.
These lines are harmless. However, scientists believe that high levels of cortisol, the body's stress hormone, might leave a physical mark on developing tooth enamel. Dr. Rao explains that high maternal stress and cortisol in the womb could create these lines.
More research is needed. But scientists suggest that baby teeth, once they fall out, could be collected and analyzed. This could help identify children at risk for mental health problems years before symptoms appear.
How Parents Should Care for Baby Teeth
Caring for baby teeth should begin as soon as they appear. Dr. Rao offers three key tips:
- Start early: As soon as the first tooth emerges, brush it with a soft toothbrush and a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste. A pediatrician or dentist can also apply fluoride every three to six months. Schedule the first dentist visit around age one.
- Keep them healthy: Early decay or cavities can lead to early tooth removal. Without these placeholders, permanent teeth might come in crowded or misaligned. Dr. Rao recommends limiting sugary drinks and avoiding bottles in bed all night.
- Help out: Children need time to develop the skills to brush their teeth well. Dr. Rao suggests parents help their children brush until about middle elementary school. For toddlers who want to do it themselves, parents can give them their own toothbrush while brushing alongside them with a second brush.
Parental support for hygiene is important, and so are those baby teeth.
Deep Dive & References
- Priyanka Rao, MD - UNC Health
- Association of Maternal Psychosocial Stress During Pregnancy With Neonatal Line Width in Primary Tooth Enamel - JAMA Network Open, 2021
