Every child will start to get their baby teeth around 7-8 months. Babies will experience teething at different ages, but how many teeth should toddlers have? The definition of a toddler can range from around 1 to 3 years old, so there isn’t a set timeline for when your children should get certain teeth. While there is a progression order for baby teeth to come in, they may poke through the gums in different months for different toddlers. Let’s dive deeper into what teeth come in when and when you should be concerned. 

Every Child Is Different

Every baby and toddler is unique, which means that they will develop at different stages, without any cause for concern. Toddlers will develop teeth, start talking, and start walking all at different times. While it is important for children to hit certain milestones, the eruption has a range of ages. For example, central incisors or front teeth can come in any time between 8 months and 12 months. Parents need to keep in mind that their child may not be the same as another child. If you have concerns, meeting with a family dentist and discussing your concerns is the best way to get sound advice.

Front Teeth Should Come Around 6-9 Months

Babies typically start to teethe around 6 months old, and the first teeth that will poke through are the bottom central incisors. These bottom teeth and the top front teeth should be the first ones you notice your child developing. The range of ages at which babies get teeth will not be the same every time. If your child gets their two bottom teeth quickly but takes a few months to get their top incisors, there is no reason to panic.

Teething often makes babies slightly cranky, or they may develop a slight fever. If you can feel teeth underneath the gums but they are not poking through quickly, you can consult with your dentist. They may be able to provide pain relief or insight to make your child more comfortable.

18 Month Olds May Should Have Multiple Teeth

As a child progresses, their teeth will continue to poke through in a circular pattern. Front teeth or incisors will be the first to appear, lateral incisors will be next, followed by first molars and canines. An 18-month-old typically has around 7-8 teeth on top and bottom. If your child is eating solid foods, they should have a good number of teeth to make chewing easier and prevent choking. Molars can come in anywhere from 13 months old to 19 months old, and one side (both top and bottom) may come in before the other side. 

When Will They Have All Their Baby Teeth?

By the age of 3, most children will have all 20 of their baby teeth. The rear molars will be the last to come in, but children will be able to eat most foods without these back molars. Baby teeth at 3 will be really small and should fit comfortably in the child’s mouth, but if they look overcrowded or you are worried about cleaning them, meet with a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.

When Should I Worry About Baby Teeth Not Coming In?

While all tooth eruptions will look different for each child, there are times when you should take action or be concerned. As previously mentioned, meeting with a pediatric dentist at any point in your toddler’s development will be worthwhile and can provide peace of mind. If a child hasn’t had any teeth emerge by 18 months, this is when you should become concerned. Meet with a dentist as soon as possible if your child is approaching 18 months without teeth. 

Family Dentistry With Avenues Dentistry

Avenues Dental is proud to serve families and patients of all ages. We work hard to have the highest quality services, while making our office comfortable, no matter the procedure. Our oral health needs to be cared for each day through brushing, flossing, diet, and more. The Avenues Denistry team can help you understand the risks of oral cancers and tooth loss, and provide insight on how to help you love your smile for many years. Each patient will recieve the best treatment and bedside manner from our staff.

Call us to get a consultation or your first appointment.

While most of us don’t want to consider the possibility of cancer, watching for early signs can help reduce its effects and help you avoid long-term health damage. Oral cancer has a unique set of symptoms that can affect not only your teeth and gums, but also your neck, voice, and jaw. This is why frequent dental cleanings and check-ups are important to a long life and better health. While dental cleanings can not guarantee you avoid cancer, removing bacteria and handling cavities swiftly can help. This blog will share some of the common signs of oral cancer to help patients catch it early or avoid oral cancer altogether.

Red Or White Patches

One of the first signs of oral cancer or other gum diseases is discoloration across your mouth. Red or white round patches can indicate irritation, bacterial growth, or cancer growths. Oral cancer can occur on the lips, tongue, gums, roof of the mouth, or lining of the cheeks. These may look like sores or lumps, but if they are a sign of cancer, they will not heal. Topical treatments will not reduce these patches and will need strong medications to kill the cancer cells.

Difficulty Chewing Or Talking

Another common sign of oral cancer is difficulty using your mouth for different tasks. As sores and cancer growths become more aggressive, it may be painful to eat certain foods, talk for long periods of time, swallow, or move your jaw. Not only can the pain of these growths make it hard to use your mouth, but it can also cause swelling and inflammation that makes it physically impossible to move. These signs are typically a sign that the cancer has progressed to further stages.

Neck Lumps

Swelling in the lymph nodes is also a common sign of oral cancer. Lumps under the jaw or around the neck can indicate swelling either from a tumor or irritated cells. Swelling around the neck area is common with many sicknesses, so if this is the only symptom you have, don’t jump straight to a self-diagnosis of cancer. If you are experiencing multiple symptoms or extreme pain, contact your dentist or primary doctor to get more in-depth answers.

Persistent Pain

When you have persistent mouth pain that won’t go away or isn’t helped by medications or heat, this could mean the oral cancer has progressed. Cancer is separated into stages, and stages 2 and 3 of oral cancer can lead to more swollen glands and persistent pain. Leaving oral pain or sores unchecked can lead to further issues like difficulty eating, ill-fitting dentures, or slurred speech.

Loss Of Sensation In The Mouth

Cancer cells can also cause damage to your other muscles and cells, leading to numbness. A loss of sensation in the mouth, tongue, or lips should be a cause for concern, especially because it can make it hard to speak, eat, or swallow. This is a major sign that you should see your dentist or primary doctor to check for cancerous growths.

Those Who Are At Higher Risk For Oral Cancer

Those with certain daily habits or a family history of oral cancer are more at risk for oral cancer. Taking care of your teeth and visiting your dentist frequently can help you avoid cancer or disease, but daily habits are major contributors to cancer growth. Not all patients who get oral cancer will have these risk factors or family history.

Habits that put you at a higher risk of oral cancer include:

• Consistent smoking
• Use of tobacco products
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Spending time in the sun without SPF on the lips
• You have HPV

Achieve Better Dental Health With Avenues Dental

Working with a quality dentist and getting regular dental cleanings can help you avoid cavities, tooth loss, gum disease, and oral cancer. Our team at Avenues Dental is committed to providing the best patient care and a friendly atmosphere. Avenues Dental is committed to professional excellence, whether you need cosmetic services, fillings, or a typical cleaning. You can achieve better dental health when you visit a dentist at least once a year. If you are ready to enhance your smile and feel better about the quality of your teeth, schedule an appointment with our dental team today!

Since your teeth have multiple surfaces, small grooves, and hidden pockets, the possibility of multiple cavities is more common than you might think. The soft enamel of your teeth is susceptible to deterioration from food or stomach acid. Multiple cavities in one tooth can be inconvenient and painful, but how do they occur? Is there a way to prevent them from happening in the same tooth? Let’s explore more about how cavities are caused and how dentists fill them in this blog.

Diet

One of the most common causes of cavities is the food and drink we are consuming. Sugar, acidic foods, coffee, soda, and alcohol can all cause multiple cavities, either in multiple teeth or in one tooth. Eating or drinking something in excess can wear down the enamel on all the surfaces of your teeth, which can cause cavities, yellowing, or sensitivity. When you begin to notice more frequent cavities, the first thing you should adjust is the foods you eat, and increase your water intake.

Neglecting Oral Care

When you neglect flossing, fluoride, or regular brushing, cavities are more common. Practicing regular oral care is necessary to keep up the quality of your teeth and remove plaque that deteriorates enamel. Using fluoride toothpaste and flossing after eating a meal can help reduce the amount of build-up sitting on your teeth each day. The more often you clean your teeth, the fewer cavities you will experience.

Frequent Heartburn Or Acid Reflux

The stomach acid or acidic foods that cause heartburn are extremely damaging to your teeth. Those who have frequent problems with acid reflux and heartburn may notice multiple cavities in one tooth. Your back molars are more susceptible to cavities anyway, but the acid from your stomach can cause you to experience more than the average person. The tooth’s location and your daily life can impact whether you can get multiple cavities in one tooth. 

Genetics

Some people are more prone to cavities because of genetics and how they impact the shape of the teeth. Some teeth have deeper grooves or may be smaller than other patients’ teeth. Teeth with deeper grooves will hold on to food particles more easily, leading to multiple cavities. While it is extremely discouraging to continue getting cavities, especially if you have changed your diet or oral care routine, some people will just always struggle with multiple cavities. If your genetics make you prone to cavities, you can work with your dentist to apply caps or sealants to fill in some of the deeper parts of your teeth.

How Many Fillings Can One Tooth Handle?

The size of your tooth, its placement in your mouth, and where the cavity is located. The more fillings a tooth has, the higher the risk of the tooth breaking. Working and communicating with your dentist can help you determine if a tooth can handle more work or if it will need to be removed. It is typically recommended that one tooth doesn’t have more than 3 fillings. 

How Dentists Fill A Cavity

First, the decayed part of the tooth will be removed by either a laser or a drill. It will be cleaned out so that a hole is left inside the spongy part of the tooth. They will then fill in this gap with either a composite resin, amalgam (silver), or gold to restore the strength of the tooth. Fillings are typically good at preventing further decay because the damaged or infected pulp is completely removed, but on large teeth, a cavity may form on the opposite side.

How Do You Prevent Multiple Cavities?

If you experience frequent cavities, you may need to change up your oral care habits, diet, or the products you use. Avoiding excess sugar and cutting back on alcohol could help reduce the frequency of your cavities. It may also be helpful to increase how often you visit your dentist and have a cleaning to help reduce buildup on your teeth. In-depth cleaning from a dentist will remove stubborn plaque and food particles you may not be able to remove on your own. 

Services From Avenues Dentistry

Avenues Dentistry knows that your dental health is just as important as caring for your physical health. Filling cavities, performing cavities, or completing cosmetic procedures can all be done in our office by our friendly dental team. Our dentists and dental assistants are committed to helping your entire family have confidence in their smile. Avenues Dentistry works hard to ensure all of our patients are comfortable and relaxed during their appointment. Schedule a cleaning or dental procedure with our team by calling (801) 328-4173.