The gradual loss of milk teeth and eruption of permanent teeth (i.e., childhood tooth replacement) is one of the most important and noticeable physiological processes in the development of every person, typically occurring between the ages of 6 and 12 years.
During the process, not only chewing and speech are transformed, but facial features are also modified. The biggest challenge with permanent teeth is that many children at this age still don't understand: their permanent teeth will remain in adulthood, and their care is essential.
This is why childhood tooth eruption requires great care from parents, as regular dental check-ups are essential at this age to ensure the process takes place without complications.
With early detection, most dental problems that arise at this time can be effectively prevented. However, to achieve this, it is necessary to know all the important details related to tooth eruption. Our professional article aims to help with this!
The teething process
The development of milk teeth rarely requires dental intervention. Nevertheless, great attention must be paid to this period, as regular brushing routines are essential to establish at this time.
The condition of milk teeth fundamentally determines future oral hygiene, as decay can even damage the teeth before they have erupted!
Over 200 genes play a role in tooth development in the human body. For most babies, the first milk teeth appear between 6-8 months of age – usually starting with the two lower incisors.
However, it should be known that the development of milk teeth begins much earlier, in the womb. This is because the so-called germ structure of milk teeth starts to form in the early stages of pregnancy.
However, at this time the gums still safely await the right moment for them to emerge. This can take up to two or three years for most children, as the full set of 20 milk teeth is usually complete by then.
The remaining teeth will be from the milk teeth
As described above, childhood tooth replacement is one of the most important physiological processes in human life. For this reason, it is worth getting acquainted with the individual phases, but above all, finding an answer to why we need permanent teeth.
Why can't milk teeth stay?
There are several reasons why milk teeth are replaced by permanent teeth:
Jaw growth: The most important thing is that people's jaws grow gradually, so that small milk teeth wouldn't fit in an adult jaw size at all. For this reason, 32 permanent teeth grow to fill the jaw seamlessly.
Permanent teeth are stronger: Compared to milk teeth, permanent teeth are much stronger and more durable in every respect, possessing substantial roots and protected by hard enamel, meaning they are suited to carrying out their function for decades.
Childhood dental hygiene is not always complete: Last but not least, it should be emphasised that very few children have at least some of their milk teeth decay prematurely, meaning that a complete replacement of the dentition is necessary in all respects.
The stages of teething
Permanent teeth usually start to erupt between the ages of 5 and 7 in most children. However, this does not happen overnight, but gradually.
The interesting aspect of the process is that the replacement of milk teeth and the eruption of permanent teeth occur according to a system that can be divided into three main phases. These are:
Phase one
Tooth replacement begins with the molars for most children. Most of them don't even notice this, and often the parents don't either, as baby teeth aren't lost at this time, two molars simply emerge - in most cases without pain.
It's precisely because of its inconspicuousness that it's worth paying attention to from around the age of 6, as with permanent teeth, oral hygiene needs to be given even greater attention here.
After the molars, the incisors usually follow. By the age of 8-9 at the latest, children lose their milk incisors from the lower and upper jaws, which are gradually replaced by permanent teeth.
One of the most striking changes, as after the first tooth loss, the permanent incisors always appear larger than the surrounding milk teeth.
Second phase
In the second phase of childhood tooth eruption, the molars and canines take centre stage. This process begins at the latest by the age of 9-10, but for some children, it is already completed.
As part of the side milk teeth, the premolars and canines also fall out. The second phase typically completes when the second molars also emerge, and 28 permanent teeth appear in the oral cavity instead of 20 milk teeth.
This phase usually concludes at age 12, but the process can extend to age 13-14 for some children. There is no cause for concern at this point!
Phase three
The third phase often no longer occurs in childhood, but for the sake of completeness, it is important to highlight it in connection with tooth eruption. Even though in some it is entirely absent, for others it can make their lives considerably more difficult.
This is when wisdom teeth emerge, which usually starts from the age of 17, but it's not uncommon for them to appear only at the age of 25-30. What's more, it's also common for them not to emerge at all, or only two out of the four.
Wisdom teeth often cause discomfort. Many people find that they cannot erupt properly, grow at an angle, cause crowding that requires orthodontic treatment, or due to their position, it's impossible to ensure adequate oral hygiene for them.
This is why wisdom teeth often have to be removed, but a decision can only be made about this after a thorough dental examination.
Complaints during childhood tooth eruption
Childhood tooth replacement is often symptom-free, yet it requires significant attention, even if it doesn’t cause pain. Being pain-free doesn't mean that orthodontic treatment, for example, isn't necessary for the proper development of the teeth.
However, let's take a closer look at the problems that can be encountered during tooth replacement:
Seed shortage
A germ deficiency can be spoken of in the context of childhood tooth replacement if the permanent teeth do not erupt even when the milk teeth have already fallen out. However, it is common for milk teeth to remain longer in the presence of a germ deficiency.
This latter one can also be a symptom that is worth seeing a dentist for.
Extra tooth
The term "supernumerary tooth" is used when more teeth emerge than the 28 permanent teeth. It can cause serious problems not only aesthetically but also in terms of functionality, therefore it always requires intervention.
These teeth are usually easy to recognise as they grow behind a baby tooth and are generally not aligned with the normal tooth arch. As they can cause crowding and orthodontic problems, they usually need to be removed.
The molar tooth infection before it emerges
The importance of proper oral hygiene, even for milk teeth, is well illustrated by the fact that a decayed, inflamed milk tooth, if left untreated, can infect the permanent tooth forming beneath it before it has even erupted.
The most important thing is to prevent this condition, because if the infection has already damaged the permanent tooth's germ, then there is little that can be done.
Gingivitis
One of the most common complaints during childhood tooth changes is gum inflammation, and the resulting pain. It can be triggered by hormonal changes associated with puberty, or by inadequate oral hygiene.
It is important to pay attention to it, as gingivitis can be just as harmful to milk teeth and permanent teeth, and without treatment, it can cause a lot of discomfort.
Complaints requiring orthodontic treatment
Alongside gum disease, complaints requiring orthodontic treatment are also particularly common during childhood teething. The loss of milk teeth and the eruption of permanent teeth can often lead to situations that can only be resolved with external intervention.
It's important to highlight here, for example,
adequate oral hygiene, as decayed milk teeth that fall out prematurely cannot fulfil their natural regulatory role when the permanent teeth erupt;
the phenomenon of supernumerary teeth mentioned above, where an increase in the number of erupted teeth can cause overcrowding;
and a narrow dental arch, when there isn't enough space for the permanent teeth, which can lead to crowding and misalignment, and this is not only an aesthetic problem, as it also negatively affects the maintenance of oral hygiene.
Invisalign for children – the perfect solution during teeth replacement too
Many children don't want to hear about traditional braces at all. In their case, Invisalign invisible braces can be a good alternative, which comfortably, discreetly, and effectively straightens teeth using transparent aligners.
Although Invisalign treatment can only be used at a certain point in tooth development, there are cases where it can be used even with milk teeth present. This is particularly the case when the more important permanent teeth have erupted and only one or two milk teeth remain in place.
In such cases, invisible braces help correct misaligned teeth and prevent other teeth from growing incorrectly.
As the transition of teeth in childhood occurs at different rates for everyone, Invisalign can be applied for some individuals as early as 6-10 years old, however, at 11-13 years old it can almost always be used for discreet and effective orthodontic treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for a baby tooth and a permanent tooth to be visible at the same time during teething?
If the permanent tooth is not too far from the milk tooth, this is normal for a while, but if the two remain together, it warrants a dental examination.
Why is it bad if a milk tooth falls out too early?
This is mainly because a milk tooth also has an orthodontic role, so surrounding teeth can often shift and become crowded. Furthermore, the later a milk tooth falls out, the greater the chance that the permanent tooth will remain healthy.
How much of a delay is normal with childhood tooth loss?
During childhood tooth replacement, it is the parents' responsibility to ensure that their child's teeth are changing properly. A delay of one to one and a half years can generally be considered normal; otherwise, it is advisable to seek dental assistance.
Is childhood tooth loss painful?
Normally, it does not cause pain, at most mild gum sensitivity. If the child complains of severe pain, it is recommended to see a dentist as soon as possible.
How to clean freshly erupted baby teeth?
With due diligence, regularly, ensuring that no plaque is left behind. It is recommended to use a soft-bristled children's toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for this.
Mindenképpen ajánlott fogtisztító eszközöket használni a fogváltás során. A tejfogak és a maradó fogak egyidejű jelenléte a szájban megnehezíti a fogak közötti területek tisztítását. A fogkefe általában nem ér el minden zugot, különösen ott, ahol a kettő találkozik. A fogköztisztítók, mint például a fogselyem vagy a fogköztisztító kefék, segítenek eltávolítani a lepedéket és az ételmaradékokat ezekről a nehezen elérhető helyekről, így megelőzhetővé válnak a fogszuvasodás és a fogínybetegségek. Ez különösen fontos a tejfogak esetében, mivel azok hajlamosabbak a szuvasodásra, de a maradó fogakat is védeni kell a megfelelő higiénia kialakítása érdekében. Tehát a válasz: igen, érdemes és ajánlott fogtisztító eszközöket használni a fogváltás ideje alatt.
If some remaining teeth are touching, it is recommended to show children how to use dental floss or an interdental brush.
What should you do if a baby tooth doesn't fall out, but the permanent tooth is already growing in?
In such cases, a thorough dental examination is always recommended, as it may be necessary to extract the milk tooth.
Is it normal for there to be a gap between newly erupted milk teeth?
Of course, this will sort itself out later when the other permanent teeth erupt. Orthodontics should only be considered in such cases if all the permanent teeth have erupted, but the gap remains.
What is groove sealing?
Fissure sealing is a preventative treatment that involves sealing the deep grooves of newly erupted molars, thus preventing tooth decay until a proper oral hygiene routine is established.
Are problems related to tooth eruption hereditary?
Genetics has been proven to influence the size, position, and jaw size of permanent teeth, meaning certain problems can be inherited and cause discomfort as early as the tooth replacement stage.
