Children’s mouths see a lot of changes as they develop. Knowing what to expect with your children — and when to expect it — will help you prepare them for these changes and ensure you take them to see a dentist whenever necessary. The milestones below are the major ones all parents should be aware of.

Guide to Children’s Oral Health Milestones

1. Baby Teeth

Infants can begin teething, or having their “baby teeth” appear, as early as three months of age. The front teeth typically appear before the molars or canines. Infants should be taken in to see a pediatric dentist by their first birthday or when the first tooth appears, whichever comes first. They should have their full set of teeth by age 3, and it will usually finish with the appearance of molars.

2. Adult Teeth

Once they reach the age of 6, children’s baby teeth start to fall out. This will continue over the next few years, and the adult teeth will slowly grow in to take their place. There will be some discomfort, but not as much as with infant teething. If the child begins playing sports, they should wear a mouth guard to protect their jaw and teeth. Throughout this stage, they should be visiting the dentist for a checkup once every six months or more often as your provider recommends.

3. Orthodontia

Once children reach their early teens, around 12 or 13, they may be able to begin orthodontic treatments. Any issues that require correction, such as crowding, can be fixed with braces. This is the best time to straighten and correct teeth, as the young set of teeth is easier to adjust than when they are an adult with established teeth. Your dentist will have been monitoring any other issues such as an overbite, underbite, or crossbite, and may recommend a treatment plan for any of them during this stage.

4. Wisdom Teeth

The wisdom teeth typically grow in sometime between the ages of 18 to 25. Most young adults must have them removed, as the mouth doesn’t have room for these teeth, and they can grow in at a strange angle. A dentist should monitor their appearance with a routine dental checkup every six months, and when they see them coming in, can recommend either leaving them or having them removed via a simple surgical procedure.

Having a children’s dentist you can trust will make all the difference in helping your young ones grow healthy and attractive smiles. The team at Kid Smiles is trusted to serve families throughout High Point, NC, and the surrounding areas. They offer a full range of services at affordable prices, from preventive care to orthodontics, so you know you’ll get a personalized treatment plan suited to your child’s needs. For your convenience, they offer flexible scheduling with Saturday availability and accept all insurance providers. Contact them online or at (336) 885-5437 to schedule a dental exam for your child today.