Eruption of the first teeth generally starts at 6 months, however certain factors may cause delays. Delays up to the age of one are acceptable. If no teeth have erupted at the age of 1, the baby should be taken to a dentist for examination.
The eruption of baby teeth will be completed between the age of 24 -30 months. Completely erupted milk teeth in children consist of 20 teeth in total; 10 on the upper jaw and 10 on the lower jaw.
At age six, permanent teeth start erupting from behind the milk teeth. These are in the form of 2 each on the upper and lower jaw on both left and right, four in total. Because they are commonly mistaken for milk teeth, they are often extracted instead of being treated when decayed. However, extraction of these teeth which are very important in the tooth system, leads to crookedness whose treatment is very difficult.
At the ages of 7-11 the milk teeth start to wobble and the permanent teeth emerge from the bottom, replacing them.
At the age of 12, the second set of permanent grinders emerge. These too do not replace the milk teeth.
As soon as the first teeth appear in the mouth, they should start to be cleaned. By using a clean cloth or gauze, the teeth should be cleaned by wiping after breakfast and before going to sleep. Use of a toothbrush should begin after the first rear teeth start to appear.
Should milk teeth be treated?
• Milk teeth, just like permanent teeth, should be treated. Having them extracted on the basis that “they’re going to be replaced, anyway!” is a notion that can lead to a number of problems. The importance of milk teeth can be emphasised as follows:
• Milk teeth play an important role in growth. Children with toothaches cannot eat properly. Similarly, children who have teeth extracted cannot eat and therefore cannot grow and develop.
• Aside from general body development, milk teeth are also necessary for the development of the jaws. Children who have teeth extracted due to cavities or gum problems may see their jaw drop and look older.
• Teeth are necessary for talking. Especially during the phase where children learn how to talk, the lack of front milk teeth may lead to the letters F, V, S, Z and T to be mispronounced, which may turn into lifetime habit.
• Every child likes to smile. Healthy teeth are needed for a nice smile.
• Looking attractive is a natural need in people of all ages. Children with decayed or missing teeth may think they look ugly, which may in turn cause psychological discomfort.
• One other function of the milk teeth is to save the place of the permanent teeth emerging from below. Imagine 10 children seated next to each other on a couch. When one of the stands up and leaves, the others reshuffle and fill his/her space to be more comfortable. If then another child comes and tries to sit amongst them, they will have to squeeze together. Similarly if a milk tooth is extracted before it is supposed to, the neighboring teeth shift towards the gap. This leaves no room for the tooth emerging from the bottom. This tooth squeezes the others, causing crooked teeth.
Therefore just as with permanent teeth, milk teeth also need to be treated!
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