Restlessness, crying and despair of parents who do not know what is happening to their baby . These may be signs that your teeth have started to erupt, although you may not be aware of it because there may be questions about the age at which this may happen. If these symptoms are accompanied by excessive drooling and a need to bite everything, the teeth will undoubtedly erupt.
There are no hard and fast rules for tooth eruption
From the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEPED) they report that there is no exact date on which children’s teeth begin to emerge. In addition, it is convenient to differentiate the milk teeth from the permanent teeth . The former usually all leave before the child is 3 years old. But, as the AEPED has explained, this may be different in each case.
When do permanent teeth come in? Well, from 6 years old to 12. There will be a first fall that will force the permanent teeth to erupt. In these cases, there is not such a noticeable discomfort as when children are babies, but it is true that the teeth can cause the gums to swell or that there is some pain when eating.
Symptoms of teeth starting to erupt
The most prominent symptoms when a child’s teeth begin to erupt are trouble sleeping, the urge to bite everything (it is normal for them to bite their own hand), excessive drooling , irritability, crying, rough or swollen gums . If this is accompanied by a fever, you have to go to the pediatrician.
As for the permanent teeth, the symptoms are not so noticeable except that there may be a reddening of the gums and that the teeth begin to wobble . Caution must be exercised when a permanent tooth cannot come out, as it may not have space and this causes a lot of pain and inflammation in the child’s gums.
When does tooth formation start?
It is estimated, from the AEPED, that tooth formation begins in the 5th or 6th week of pregnancy . The first are those of milk and, before delivery, the definitive ones will be formed. Although the teeth have not erupted, they are there ready to come out when the child’s age allows it.
Many parents worry when baby teeth are crowded or crooked . However, these teeth are going to fall out and the ones that do need to be corrected in the event that they become twisted or crowded are the permanent ones. For this reason, the age at which children usually wear braces is when they reach high school, from 12 years old when they already have all their teeth.
What to do when teeth start to erupt?
If baby teeth begin to emerge, it is interesting to offer teethers to children or rub their gums with a cold spoon as advised by the AEPED . This will alleviate some of the discomfort caused by the eruption of the teeth. The situation changes with the permanents.
When permanent teeth begin to emerge, care must be taken to pull them out. There are many stories to help wobbly teeth fall out, however experts advise that the natural cycle of tooth loss be respected. The children’s own tongue that will move the loose teeth will help them to loosen until they finally fall out .
It is very important that baby teeth are properly cared for even if they will fall out over the years. In this way, children will assimilate good habits so that the permanent teeth do not begin to be affected by cavities when they fully erupt. A good diet that is not rich in sugar will help.
