Complete replacement of baby teeth with permanent teeth. Deadlines, features.

Changing children's baby teeth to permanent ones is always an exciting time for parents. This process is quite lengthy and often painful for the child, because it can be accompanied by various inflammations and discomfort. To help parents, for a better understanding of the physiological processes associated with the formation of teeth, dentists offer to look at the pattern of loss of baby teeth in children.

Nature has provided for everything

Losing baby teeth is a natural and inevitable process that everyone goes through in childhood. Most often it begins at 5-6 years of age and passes painlessly. Sometimes the replacement of temporary teeth may begin earlier or, conversely, late. Some deviations from the usual indicators are not always considered a violation, since much depends on the health and physiological state of the child. When he begins to change his teeth, we recommend making an appointment with the dentist, as this is a very important period for the formation of your baby’s bite.

Where do teeth come from?

Teeth are formed in the fetus’s body during the mother’s pregnancy. When a mother abused something and undermined her own health, the subsequently born child was guaranteed to have diseased teeth that were no longer permanent. At the 15th week of pregnancy, the mother has hardened dental tissues in the fetus - starting from the crown area and ending with the root zone. The embryos of molar teeth are formed by the 5th month of fetal life. The body of a developing fetus and child is designed in such a way that in the upper jaw the anlage of the permanent teeth is located above the anlage of the milk teeth, and in the lower jaw - vice versa. The formation and development of teeth begins as early as the sixth week of fetal development. The source for them is a special epithelial dental plate. Already by 14 weeks of pregnancy, the unborn baby is actively forming hard dental tissues, initially in the area of ​​the coronal part, and then in the area of ​​​​the roots of the tooth. When a child is born, primary teeth are the first to grow - by the end of the child's first year of life, they will erupt. However, the dentition contains a group of large molars - they, in turn, do not have milk predecessors and subsequently, when they fall out, grow “on a permanent basis”. Nature has arranged it in such a way that while the child’s jaws are still too small, large molars are not needed there.

What you should pay attention to

The child’s body prepares in advance for the period of teeth change. Here are the main signs of the changes taking place:

• mobility and loosening of primary teeth
• redness and swelling of the gums
• the appearance of interdental spaces due to jaw growth
• the rudiments of a permanent tooth become visible

When a baby tooth is replaced with a permanent one, the root gradually dissolves. The process is helped by a new tooth pushing out the temporary one from below.

Usually children and their parents remove the loose tooth themselves. But we recommend contacting a specialist who will provide professional assistance.

Anatomical differences between primary and permanent teeth

As we said above, temporary teeth differ from permanent teeth in a smaller number, as well as in significantly smaller sizes (they are 2 times smaller than permanent teeth).
At the same time, the shape of the crowns of primary teeth is always more spherical, and in the area of ​​the neck of the primary tooth there will always be a noticeably more pronounced narrowing. In addition, temporary teeth are whiter than permanent teeth and often have a bluish tint. Differences between temporary and permanent teeth (description below) –

Anatomical differences:

• Tooth enamel – the enamel of temporary teeth is much less mineralized (saturated with minerals, primarily calcium and phosphates). Therefore, with insufficient oral hygiene, children develop caries almost instantly. In addition, the thickness of the enamel of temporary teeth is approximately 2 times less than that of permanent teeth - this circumstance leads to a very rapid transition of caries to pulpitis. There are also many microcracks and pores on the surface of the enamel of temporary teeth.
• Dentin of the tooth - the dentin layer is located under the layer of tooth enamel, and its thickness is also 2 times less (than that of permanent teeth). The dentin of temporary teeth is lighter, it is less mineralized, softer, and therefore it is much easier to prepare with a drill than the dentin of permanent teeth. Due to the fact that dentin is less mineralized and softer, the carious process in dentin spreads deeper faster, which leads to the rapid development of pulpitis in baby teeth.
• Pulp (neurovascular bundle) - some parents ask: “Are there nerves in baby teeth?” Of course, they exist, but due to the thinner layers of enamel and dentin, the pulp in baby teeth is located much closer to the surface of the tooth. The pulp chamber (tooth cavity), in which the pulp is located, is always larger in primary teeth, and therefore the pulp occupies a relatively large volume in the tooth. And besides, in baby teeth the “pulp horns” (processes) are more pronounced, which creates an additional danger of injury to the pulp during the treatment of caries.
• Roots of teeth – some parents ask: “Do baby teeth have roots?” Of course, they have roots, but they are thinner and widely spaced (at the same time, the root canals and apical openings in baby teeth are wider than in permanent teeth). But the development and growth of the rudiments of permanent teeth leads to the formation of constant pressure on the roots of primary teeth, which leads to their gradual resorption and loss. We hope that our article: Scheme of loss of baby teeth in children was useful to you!

Sources:

1. Dental education of the author of the article, 2. Based on personal experience as a dentist, 3. The European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EU), 4. National Library of Medicine (USA), 5. “Pediatric therapeutic dentistry. National leadership" (Leontyev).

In what order do teeth fall out?

The loss of baby teeth occurs in the same order in which they first erupted. First, the child loses the lower and upper incisors, then the lateral molars, and lastly the canines. The replacement of baby teeth with permanent teeth begins at the age of 5.5 years and ends at the age of 13. At the same time, instead of 20 dairy ones, 28 permanent ones grow. There is room for eight new chewing teeth due to the expansion of the jaws. By the way, wisdom teeth most often erupt in adulthood, and for some they do not grow at all.

Drop order

The dropout pattern looks like this:

• 5-7 years - central incisors;
• 7-8 - lateral incisors;
• 9-11 - first molars of the upper jaw and second molars of the lower jaw;
• 9-12 - fangs;
• 10-13 - second molars of the upper dentition and first lower ones.

The diagram shows that the timing of changing units is quite arbitrary and quite long. This is why some children already have a permanent bite at the age of ten, while others still walk around at the age of 12 with actively loose baby teeth.

What to do if a tooth does not fall out in time

According to statistics, in 20-30% of cases, children experience a “shark smile” when the permanent tooth has already erupted and is growing, but the milk tooth has not yet fallen out. Clinical studies have proven that in such a situation, parents should not hesitate to go to pediatric dentistry. The doctor will carefully examine your child's mouth and remove the temporary tooth. If you do not contact the dentist in a timely manner, double dentition can lead to improper formation of the bite, impaired diction and the functioning of the digestive system. In addition, with a “shark smile” it is difficult for a baby to bite and chew food, particles of which remain between the teeth and under the gum. As a result, inflammatory processes and caries occur. All this can be avoided by making an appointment with a specialist.

Daily doctor's advice on caring for baby teeth:

1. Start brushing your baby's teeth only after they have erupted; use a special brush for babies.
2. When your child turns one year old, buy a brush with soft bristles and toothpaste without fluoride; it will not harm the child if he swallows it.
3. Brush your baby's teeth 2 times a day (morning and evening)
4. Don't put off going to the dentist. They should be regular, even if there are no signs of concern.
5. Include more fresh greens, fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Orthodontic treatment – ​​caring for the future

Some parents do not attach importance to the fact that the baby tooth has not yet fallen out, but the permanent one is already emerging. Or, on the contrary, the temporary one is lost early, and the tooth that replaces it does not grow. If you notice deviations, we recommend that you contact an orthodontist as soon as possible, who will provide effective treatment.

For example, with the premature loss of a baby tooth, the free space is very quickly taken up by neighboring teeth. There is not enough space for a permanent one. Therefore, it is very important when forming a temporary occlusion to fill such gaps, preventing the occurrence of an occlusion anomaly. To hold space for a permanent tooth, orthodontics uses a plate with artificial teeth. For single defects, a non-removable “ring-loop” design is most often used. The device does not cause discomfort, and the child wears it until the permanent tooth erupts.

The product manufacturing process is standard: impressions are taken, models are made, and the design is created in the laboratory within two weeks. Its fixation takes 15-20 minutes. After installing the device, you do not need to drink or eat for 2 hours. It is better to limit the consumption of “pulling” foods - toffees, chewing gum, etc.

How molars grow

• First, teeth 1 through 6 erupt and the central incisors are replaced.
• Then the processes slow down as the body needs rest.
• The formation and intensive growth of molars and premolars begins.

Ideally, the appearance of permanent teeth occurs in the following sequence:

1. sixth teeth;
2. permanent central primary incisors;
3. molar lateral incisors;
4. fangs;
5. “fives” instead of second premolars;
6. “sevens” (11-13 years old);
7. "eight" - after 16 years.

The central incisors erupt the fastest. The canines are somewhat slower, and the molars take the longest to grow. This process takes many years and requires close attention from parents, dentist and orthodontist.

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What to do when teething?

The first teeth erupting will cause discomfort in the child, and this is a natural process. During this period, salivation increases, and a runny nose may occur due to the eruption of the upper teeth. The normal pace is for new teeth to appear every few weeks.

Be prepared for the fact that the child will be capricious and refuse to eat, and his temperature may rise. To make this period easier, you can use special teething toys. During this period, the gums become inflamed and cause discomfort - they can itch and hurt. Talk to your dentist: There are safe cooling gels for children that can help reduce the intensity of teething and teething symptoms in children.

It is also recommended to replace drinks with plain water. Juices and other drinks that contain sugar create an acidic environment in the mouth. Because of this, an inflammatory process may begin. Care should be taken to disinfect pacifiers and toys that children may put in their mouths.

The first teeth appear at the age of six months. The first chewing teeth appear between the ages of 1 and 1.5 years. Fangs are cut between the ages of 2 and 2. After this, by the age of 3, the following chewing teeth appear. Each new group requires attention. Thus, it is important to brush your chewing teeth well after eating, since the enamel of baby teeth is quite weak. Retention of food on the surface can easily cause inflammation.

It is also important to ensure that the child weans the habit of the pacifier and stops putting his fingers in his mouth. If this does not happen, an incorrect bite will be formed.

Useful tips for parents

1. If a loose tooth begins to interfere, you can pull it out yourself. To do this, wrap it in a piece of sterile gauze, gently swing it to the sides and pull it up. Do not apply too much force, otherwise you may cause serious injury to the baby. If the tooth does not give in, it is better to leave it alone for a while or consult a dentist.

2. Sometimes baby teeth sit firmly in the gums and interfere with the growth of permanent teeth - in this case, it is recommended to consult a doctor who will remove the tooth. If this is not done in a timely manner, the permanent tooth may grow incorrectly or “stand out” from the general row, causing the child’s bite to deteriorate.
3. Many parents are faced with the phenomenon of caries of baby teeth. The decision to treat the disease should be made exclusively by a specialist (sometimes such a procedure is simply impractical). It is necessary to remember that after filling baby teeth, their roots dissolve much more slowly.

4. If blood comes from the wound after a tooth falls out, you should cover the wound with a clean piece of bandage or cotton wool and hold it for several minutes. For two hours after the loss, it is better to avoid eating food, especially cold, hot, sour and salty foods.
5. You can rinse your mouth after a tooth falls out, but not too actively - a blood clot forms in the hole that remains in place of the tooth, which protects it from germs.
6. If changing teeth causes discomfort for your child, you can buy a special toothpaste that eliminates the discomfort.

7. During the period of changing teeth, it is important to pay attention to caries and other dental diseases. If a baby tooth is affected by caries, there is a risk that its permanent “brother” will also be sick. In addition, the child’s diet at this time should be balanced and contain a sufficient amount of vitamins and microelements, especially vitamin D and calcium. It is better to limit the amount of sugar and sweets so as not to create an environment favorable for the growth of bacteria. To cleanse and strengthen teeth, you can give your child hard fruits and vegetables, such as apples or carrots.
8. To protect your child’s permanent teeth from negative effects, you should contact a dentist who will perform fluoridation of teeth or fissure sealing (protecting areas that are in hard-to-reach places).
9. Even if the process of changing teeth is easy and without discomfort, the child should visit the doctor at least once every six months - this will help identify caries in the early stages, as well as prevent its occurrence.

If a permanent tooth does not appear in the place of the milk tooth within 3-4 months, parents should consult a dentist. The reason for this may be a rare pathology called adentia - the absence of tooth buds. If the examination indicates this diagnosis, prosthetics will be necessary to maintain a beautiful bite and facial shape.

Typical problems

PHOTO: The child's lower permanent incisors erupted in the second row. In this situation, it is necessary to free up space by removing the mobile baby teeth so that the permanent teeth can take the correct position in the dental arch.

Sometimes the permanent upper and lower incisors erupt behind the primary ones (“second row”), which do not have time to resolve by this time. This situation requires the intervention of a dental surgeon.

Progression of previously formed caries on the teeth, especially in the area of ​​primary chewing teeth.

The eruption of the first permanent molar in conditions of poor individual oral hygiene and the presence of a large number of untreated carious teeth nearby is often accompanied by the development of caries on the erupting young tooth (molar). During the process of eruption, the 6th tooth is partially covered with a mucous membrane, like a hood, under which plaque and food debris become clogged. The carious process in such conditions develops extremely rapidly, often unnoticed by the patient and his parents, and is quickly complicated by inflammation of the nerve of the tooth.