We are now looking at children's oral health from around 7 years old until 12, focusing on tooth loss.
Tooth-brushing
Most children will be brushing independently by 7. A good way of knowing they are ready is to not stop supporting their teeth cleaning until they can tie their shoe laces themselves (yes I know, even when they learn they still make us do it!) This varies from child to child and if they have dexterity issues - like my autistic son did, then help them out a bit longer to ensure the teeth are being properly cleaned. (Look at the last 2 blogs for toothbrush tips)
The recommended brushing routine is once before bedtime and one other time of the day. If brushing first thing in the morning then always do it BEFORE BREAKFAST. Always use a pea sized amount of adult toothpaste and spit out but don't rinse after brushing.
Use disclosing and sticker charts
We can't be there every time they brush, especially in that tornado that is school run time. But we can help out by ensuring they are brushing for long enough - see my previous blog - and by carrying out regular spot checks. Using disclosing solution and a reward chart for at least a few years can cement good habits that will last a lifetime.
Wobbly ones
Wobbly teeth are fun, funny, annoying and sometimes painful towards the end. It takes around 8 weeks for a tooth to go from wobbly to falling out. That is an eternity if you are 7!!
We start to lose teeth around age 6. If your child starts to lose teeth before age 4, or if your child reaches 8 and still hasn't lost one, then bring it up at your 6 month check up with your dentist.
My daughter Josie was 7 years and 4 months old when finally the first one came out. That is a long wait for the tooth fairy!
Usually baby teeth fall out in the order that they came in with the two bottom middle teeth first to go, followed by the top two in front.
There can be similarities to bugs bunny when those first permanent teeth poke through. The bigger new teeth can look giant-sized in that still-little mouth, but your child will grow into them! Permanent adult teeth also tend to look a little yellow beside the super white baby teeth, and they’ll look jaggy on the edge when they first poke through, but will be worn smooth by chewing.
What happens to create the wobble
The root of the tooth reabsorbs - disappears - in preparation for the new tooth coming up into position and that is when it starts to wobble.
Kids tend to go one of two ways on this:
1. They hate the sensation of the movement, feel it is uncomfortable and avoid eating on that area and touching it too much.
2. They are fascinated by the movement and wobble it, chew on it and fiddle with it a lot. Sometimes baby teeth fall out on their own by getting stuck in food.
Number 2 children tend to shed their wobbly teeth with little problems and love showing you the slightly bloody gap after.
Number 1 children are likely to shed at a slower rate and need a bit of encouragement towards the end when it is really wobbly.
How to help
If a wobbly tooth is being bothersome to your child, you can encourage them to wiggle it gently to help it come out faster. Don't be tempted to help out and pull it before it’s ready. Really tugging before the root has been shrunken away can lead to breakage of the root making it prone to bad bugs or an infection. If the tooth is still there after 8 weeks then check it out with your dentist — it may need to be pulled, but by a professional.This does not happen often.
Teething goes on...and on....
It took up to three years for your child to get all their baby teeth, it takes around another 16 until they have all her permanent ones. The big chewing teeth at the back - molars - come in in stages as the jaw develops. First molars around age 6, second molars around age 12, and then third molars (wisdom teeth), which come in between the ages of 16 and 20. Not everyone has wisdom teeth and your dentist will tell you if this is the case. Eventually your child will have 28/32 teeth that with proper care will last a lifetime.
Next time, what to do if you need a filling.
Mhari is a hygienist in an oral health practice.
