You can expect your child to lose his first baby tooth by the age of six or seven, according to MayoClinic.com. The loss of baby teeth, or "milk teeth," is a natural process nature intended so that larger, permanent adult teeth can emerge. Keeping your child's teeth intact until the age at which they should fall out of their own accord is critical to his speech development and overall oral health.
Your Child's Teeth: An Overview
Your child's teeth erupt in a predictable pattern. According to the American Dental Association, the front and lower central incisors, or front teeth, come in between six and 12 months, followed by the lateral incisors--the teeth flanking the front teeth-- between nine and 16 months. The canines, or cuspids, emerge between 16 and 23 months of age. By the time your child is three years of age, he typically has all 20 primary teeth.
The Loss of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth usually come out in roughly the same order they came in, according to MayoClinic.com. Typically, the lower incisors loosen and fall out first, followed by the two front teeth. Most children lose all of their baby teeth, including their back molars, by the age of 13. As noted, most kids loose their first tooth by age six or seven, but teeth can fall out one or two years earlier or later. MayoClinic.com indicates that girls usually lose their primary teeth earlier than boys.
Early Tooth Loss
Your child can get tooth decay as soon as six months of age, cautions the ADA. Baby bottle tooth decay typically strikes the front incisors, but can be seen in other teeth as well. Baby bottle tooth decay, or BBTD, can result in teeth so badly damaged that they must be removed by a dentist. The Indiana State Department of Health explains that BBTD occurs when your child is allowed to suck on a bottle that contains milk, fruit juice or another sugary fluid for long periods of time.
Early Tooth Loss Cautions
If your child loses his primary teeth sooner than he should, this can cause speech delays, difficulty getting adequate nutrition, permanent teeth "crowding" and defects in the permanent teeth that emerge. The Indiana State DOH stresses the importance of health feeding habits and good oral hygiene practices--even before your child's first tooth erupts.
Preventing Early Tooth Loss
Early tooth loss can easily be prevented, states the ADA. Use a clean, damp piece of gauze or a soft washcloth to clean your baby's gums after each feeding. After baby teeth come in, use a small toothbrush and water to brush them. Once your child reaches the age of two--when he knows that toothpaste must be spit out--start brushing his teeth with toothpaste. Don't give your child sugary liquids in his bottle--stick with formula, breast milk or bottled milk. Make sure that your infant doesn't go to bed with a bottle, and if you use a pacifier, make sure it's not dipped in honey or sugar. By the time your child is one, he should be drinking from his own cup, says the ADA.
See a Dentist
Your child should make his first trip to the dentist six months after his first tooth erupts, states the ADA, but no later than his first birthday. Regular dental checkups not only ensure that your child isn't at risk for tooth decay and/or early tooth loss, but allow him to be evaluated for other potential oral problems that could affect his teeth, such as thumb sucking.
