Witnessing your child losing baby teeth and growing adult teeth can be an emotional time. During this bittersweet period, it’s important to seek the assistance of a kids’ dentist to ensure a healthy smile is emerging, one that will last a lifetime.

Seeking proper dental care for kids can be challenging. A family dentist may lack the skills and experience to properly care for the unique needs of children. Serving the Eagle River, AK, area, Discovery Dental is a kids’ dentist and knows how to treat both sets of children’s teeth.

Primary Teeth

Clinically known as primary teeth, baby teeth begin arriving at around six months of age. Typically, the lower teeth come in before the upper teeth, and girls tend to begin teething earlier than boys. Children usually have a full set of 20 teeth, with 10 in each jaw, by the time they’re three. The primary teeth are designed for more than just introducing a baby to solid foods. They also help to form speech patterns, develop nutritional habits, and serve as placeholders for their permanent teeth.

Permanent Tooth Eruption

Permanent tooth eruption refers to an adult tooth emerging through the gums. This often takes place around the age of six when the appropriately named six-year molars arrive. Parents might not notice this growth if a child’s primary teeth haven’t loosened up or fallen out; however, it’s important to recognize these are not baby teeth and must be cared for just like permanent teeth.

Proper Care Is Vital

Any parent will tell you that once a child loses one tooth, it seems to happen very rapidly. However, that doesn’t mean all permanent teeth will grow immediately. In fact, some people don’t see their full set of teeth arriving until around the age of 21 when their wisdom teeth erupt. When permanent teeth come in, it’s important to see a kids’ dentist to ensure the teeth are clean, healthy, and growing correctly. Since a child has 20 teeth and an adult has 32, the permanent set may not grow in as straight as the primary set. If teeth are growing improperly, an orthodontist may need to be consulted.

If you’re seeking an experienced dental clinic that has the skills and bedside manner to deal with the youngest members of your family, look to Discovery Dental. They’ll ensure your child is comfortable, happy, and excited for their treatments because—as their company slogan suggests—they want to create a generation that enjoys dental care. For more information on the Eagle River kids' dentist, call (907) 622-5437 or visit them online.