How do I know my child’s permanent teeth are coming in properly?

The arrival of your child’s first permanent teeth can be quite an event. It marks the beginning of the end for baby training teeth and is the first glimmer of an adult smile. Here’s what you should watch for to make sure your child’s new teeth have a good start.

The first four permanent molars usually appear around age six. It may go smoothly, or it could be difficult and painful. As the tooth erupts, it slowly pushes through the gum, often leaving a flap hanging over the exposed new tooth. If food gets stuck under this flap it can cause a nasty infection and fever. At the first sign of serious trouble give us a call. If necessary, the flap can be cut and the area cleaned to allow the new tooth to come in normally.

Of course you won’t just have to deal with new teeth coming in! There are also the old ones coming out. You can usually let teeth come out on their own, but if a baby tooth seems to be hanging around a little too long, we can help.

Regular dental checkups are most important in the early years. Many problems with permanent teeth are caused by crowded and misaligned baby teeth. Early diagnosis and treatment means less treatment and expense later on.