Tiny Pearls

When it comes to teething, there is hardly a fixed pattern regarding it in babies. There is no certainty as to when the teething would begin, the amount of time it will take or the pain quotient. Some babies hardly experience pain when a tooth is cut, whereas in some babies there is too much of pain and teething is a severe process. In many cases, a lump can be seen in the gum for many weeks. And in some babies the tooth erupts without any visible prior lump like formation.

Just as in other areas of development- each child has an individual pattern in teething. Every baby is different. Often, the teething process can follow patterns which are hereditary. So if the father or the mother had early/late teething- the child will follow suit.

Usually seven months is the average age when a tiny tooth erupts. The tooth usually erupts in the lower gum (as said earlier, your baby could get his first tooth before or after this age). With the appearance of tiny teeth- you have to begin the proper dental care of your baby. Even if these happen to be milk teeth and temporary- your treatment of them should not be lax. Because if the milk teeth get decayed or lost due to decay- there can be deformity of the dental structure in the long run, even with the appearance of permanent teeth. Not only deformity, decay and premature loss of milk teeth can lead to poor nutritional intake. It can hamper the speech development and confidence level (leading to shyness) in the long run. (For more information read <a href="http://www.babylife.org/2006/02/page/16/">Bottles and Banes</a> ). Hence you have to begin early, if you want to inculcate good dental habits in your child.

The diet of the pregnant mother influences a baby’s teeth formation- the crown of babies teeth are formed when they are in the womb. Therefore it is very necessary for a pregnant woman to include nutrients like Vitamin A, B, C, D, Calcium and Phosphorous in her diet. After birth, the baby’s diet should also consist of these nutrients. Most of these are contained in milk and vitamin drops can be added to make up for the rest.

The lower two incisors are the first teeth to appear. The four upper incisors appear next, within a few months. Usually, by the time a baby is one year old- he has six tiny teeth!

Read <a href="http://www.babylife.org/2006/02/page/16/">Bottles and Banes</a> for more information on dental care of your baby.

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