At What Age Is It Normal for Children to Start Losing Their Baby Teeth?
Humans have two sets of teeth in their lifetime, namely deciduous teeth and permanent teeth. After birth, children gradually grow deciduous teeth, which fall out at a certain age and are replaced by permanent teeth. Since then, permanent teeth are used continuously. The age of tooth replacement in children varies, which is a normal phenomenon. So, when is it normal for children to start losing their deciduous teeth? Let's take a brief look at this aspect below.
Firstly, it is generally considered normal for children to start losing their deciduous teeth around the age of 6 to 7 years old. At this time, children are already attending kindergarten. However, each child's physical condition is different, so not all children will start losing their teeth at this age. Some may start earlier, while some may start later. These are all natural phenomena, and parents don't need to worry too much about it.
Secondly, there are two sets of teeth that accompany people throughout their lifetime, namely deciduous teeth and permanent teeth. Generally, children start growing deciduous teeth at around four months old, and all their teeth will be fully grown by the time they reach two to three years old. Then, when children are between 6 and 13 years old, permanent teeth gradually replace deciduous teeth. At this time, some molar teeth will continue to grow, reaching a total of 28 to 32 teeth.
Thirdly, there are several things to keep in mind during the tooth replacement period:
- Pay attention to the growth of the child's deciduous and permanent teeth and visit the dentist regularly to detect and address any issues early on. If parents notice that permanent teeth are growing next to the deciduous teeth but the deciduous teeth have not fallen out, forming a double row of teeth, they should take the child to the hospital as soon as possible to remove the retained deciduous teeth.
- Supervise the child to brush their teeth twice a day, morning and evening, to prevent tooth decay. Children should use toothpaste and toothbrushes specifically designed for them, and brush their teeth correctly for about two to three minutes. In addition to brushing, children should rinse their mouths after eating to maintain oral hygiene.
- Encourage the child to eat foods high in fiber and with a certain degree of hardness, such as beef, carrots, celery, and corn, to stimulate the deciduous teeth and promote their timely falling out. Chewing these foods can also promote the development of the dental arch, jaw, and facial bones.
- Timely correct the child's bad habits, such as tongue thrusting, biting fingers or pencils, and licking teeth, as these bad habits can affect the growth of their teeth and lead to tooth deformities.
Overall, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene and habits during the tooth replacement period to ensure healthy tooth development in children.