About kids' teeth
Tips and advice for parents about children's teeth by Anna Nilvéus Olofsson, TePe Munhygienprodukter AB, DDS Specialist Pediatric Dentistry Odont. lic.
If you have more questions about pediatric dental care,
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The milk teeth
The primary teeth, also called milk teeth or baby teeth, often start emerging when a child is around 8 months of age. Usually, the front teeth in the lower jaw emerge first.
When the child is around 18 months, the first molars generally start appearing. and by the age of 3, all milk teeth will usually be in place. In total, the child will get 20 primary teeth.
The chart to the left shows how milk teeth normally emerge, but time and order can vary from child to child.
The permanent teeth
From around 6 to 13 years of age, the primary teeth are successively replaced by the next set of teeth, the 28 permanent or adult teeth. The first permanent teeth often emerge right behind the last primary teeth in the back of the mouth. The new teeth can be difficult to detect and clean, and the biting surfaces are irregular and extra sensitive to caries (tooth decay), so it is important to brush properly.
Brush from the very first tooth
Establishing a good oral hygiene routine at a young age is the first step toward healthy teeth your whole life through. As soon as the first tooth emerges, it is time to start using a toothbrush.
Help the child to brush until age 10. A small child doesn’t yet have the manual skills to brush properly and can’t understand the consequences of careless brushing. An older child may need to brush under your supervision.
Brushing tips
Try to create a positive atmosphere: Toothbrushing does not necessarily need to take place in the bathroom. You could brush while the child is in bed or on the changing table (let the child lie on his back with his face toward you). A slightly older child can sit in your lap, leaning his head on your arm.
When brushing, use your finger to hold out your child’s cheek to see and reach the teeth better.
When brushing is difficult
All children sometimes refuse to brush their teeth. Instead of giving up, use different tactics. Try brushing right after dinner, before the child gets too tired, instead of waiting until bedtime. Or use your imagination – make up a toothbrushing story or song, or fight cavities with the toothbrush, just like our cool character Twizz.
TePe children’s toothbrushes are available in several colors with pretty prints. Let the child choose his or her own toothbrush to make brushing a little more fun!
Always brush before bedtime
Children should always go to bed with clean teeth. The mouth is drier at night, because there’s less saliva being produced, which makes teeth more vulnerable to caries. If the child often falls asleep before you get to brush his teeth, brush while he’s sleeping.
Let the teeth rest between mealtimes. If your child takes medicine orally, always rinse with water afterwards. Children should avoid sweet beverages as well as eating between meals. If the child is thirsty between meals or at night, serve water.
- Choose a toothbrush with a small brush head and gentle bristles. The handle should fit a small child’s hand, but also be comfortable for the adult helping the child to brush.
- Apply a small amount of toothpaste, the size of the child’s pinky fingernail, to the toothbrush.
- Brush the tongue side, cheek side and biting surface of the teeth. Always brush in the same order to make sure no tooth surface is forgotten.
- Place the bristles along the teeth and gum line in a 45° angle. Brush with small, circular movements using gentle pressure. It is important to clean along the gum line, where bacteria can easily build up.
Download our folder "Dental care in children" (PDF)
