Children ’s Health A Toothy Issue Watching a baby grow with strong bones and a healthy spirit is a great experience for every parent. Their soft head of fuzz grows into bouncy curls, their quiet shuffling around the house suddenly becomes the playful pitter-patter of exploration, and within only a few months they begin to take on Mum’s eyes or Dad’s dimpled cheeks. Child development is generally a peaceful and pleasant period to watch. Until teething begins, which, often accompanied with weeks or months of howling cries and sleepless nights, becomes everyone’s business. Teething can be extremely painful for some children whilst barely noticeable among others. The term refers to the process in which the infant’s first teeth begin to show through the gums, which typically occurs between six and ten months of age, however can occur as early as three or as late as twelve months. Did you know? • During teething, or when any tooth erupts during our life, the gum does not actually tear open to give way to the tooth. In fact, the body generates a special chemical that destroys and separates the gum. • The initial development of baby teeth begins in the womb! At approximately five weeks, the primary buds of teeth begin growing in the baby’s bottom jaw. At birth, the baby already has a set of 20 teeth all hidden in those soft, gooey gums. • Baby teeth are also known as “milk teeth” or “deciduous teeth”. • Despite being a common belief among new parents, there is no proven link between teething and fever or diarrhea. The Teething Process Teething timing will vary between children, but the sequence of tooth eruption is the same for all kids. • The two front teeth (central incisors) in the bottom jaw generally appear first between the ages of six and ten months. • The two front teeth in the top jaw (central incisors) in the upper jaw appear later between the ages of eight and 13 months. • The two teeth on each side of the central incisors (lateral incisors) appear in both the top and bottom jaw between the ages of eight and 16 months, more closely around ten months. • The first set of four top and bottom molars erupt between 13 and 19 months. • The canine teeth (also known as eye teeth) erupt in the top and bottom jaws around 16 and 23 months. • The second set of top and bottom molars appear between the ages of 25 and 33 months. Children will likely have their whole set of 20 teeth by the age of three. It is common for girls to teethe earlier than boys, and the patterns and timing of teething have shown to be hereditary. The timing of teething has is not reflective of the health of the child. Pindara M 52 agazine Summer | 2014/15
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Three
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