Baby (primary) teeth start forming under the gums during the second trimester and begin to appear six months to a year after birth. Most children have all 20 baby teeth by about age three. Teething can be sore, so chewing rings, a wet gauze pad or a clean finger can soothe tender gums.
A common myth is that baby teeth don’t matter. The ADA urges parents to schedule a first checkup within six months of the first tooth. Here’s why:
- Speech: well-placed baby teeth help children pronounce sounds correctly, which is important for cognitive, social and emotional development.
- Eating and nutrition: children with badly decayed or malformed baby teeth are more likely to be malnourished or underweight. Healthy teeth support good chewing and nutritious eating.
- Confidence: healthy teeth mean fresher breath, more confident smiles and easier social interactions.
- Straighter adult teeth: baby teeth hold space for adult teeth and guide them into place. When one is lost early, nearby teeth shift into the gap, so we often recommend a space maintainer.
- Healthy gums: badly decayed baby teeth can lead to childhood gum disease, which can cause them to fall out early and create problems for the adult teeth. Help your child brush every day, and wipe infants’ gums with a damp cloth after meals.