One of the most difficult periods in the life of parents and their children is the teething of milk teeth, the appearance of molars (for example, a six tooth), and then the change of milk to permanent. The child is very uncomfortable, crying, and the mother does not know how to relieve pain and help the baby. But tooth change is a natural process that every child goes through. Therefore, there is no need to worry much. It is enough to show interest and prepare in advance for this period, having learned about the types of teeth, the order of their appearance and location, as well as the timing of the first eruption and shift.
Types of teeth and their location
The teeth of the six lower and upper are dentin (the hard part of the tooth) with a cavity covered with a layer of enamel. It has a characteristic shape, built of several special tissues, and also has its own nervous system, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Inside the tooth cavity, contrary to general opinion, there is loose tissue penetrated by nerves and blood vessels.
Normally, a person has from 28 (a complete set) to 32 teeth (a complete set + 4 wisdom teeth). Each tooth has its own name and performs a specific function.
Incisors are teeth whose function is to bite off food. These are the front teeth that are cut first (4 at the bottom, 4 at the top).
Fangs are cone-shaped teeth whose functions are to tear and hold food (2 below, 2 above).
Premolars are small milk teeth, and then small molars, following fangs, a pair on each half of the jaw. There are 4 at the bottom, 4 at the top. This is the 1st, 2nd premolar, or if you give serial numbers - the 4th and 5th tooth.
Molar teeth are teeth whose functions are the primary mechanical processing of food. These are the largest molars. They are located after the premolars, a pair on each half of the jaw (4 at the bottom, 4 at the top). 1st and 2nd molar or tooth six and seven. If in the adult period of life, after 20 years, an additional molar, wisdom tooth is formed, then their number becomes equal to 6 below and 6 above. Tooth of wisdom - the 3rd molar or the figure of eight tooth.
Six teeth, as well as 7s and 8s, do not exist. They erupt immediately indigenous.
If today many have seen what a single molar of six looks like in a photo on the network, few know in what order the entire bite is located and what place this molar occupies.
By type of teeth are divided into milk and permanent.
In the temporary milk bite of children there are only 20 teeth: these are all 8 incisors, 4 canines, and 8 premolars.
In the permanent bite, there are 20 replaced and 8 initially molars, total 28: these are 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars and 8 molars cut immediately by the molars. An additional 4 molars may also appear - wisdom teeth. Then the bite will have 32 teeth.
Tooth structure
The teeth are located on the upper and lower jaws. They consist of hard and soft tissues.
Solid:
- tooth enamel - the outer shell that serves as a protection for the tooth;
- dentin - hard tissue, the basis of the entire tooth;
- Dental cement is a tissue covering the neck and root of a tooth.
Soft include pulp - a loose tissue inside the tooth cavity, which has a large number of vessels, both blood and lymph, and nerve endings.
Anatomically, a tooth can distinguish three parts:
- crown - a part protruding above the gum;
- root - a part located deep in the alveoli of the gums;
- the neck of the tooth is part of the actual transition of the tooth enamel to cement, that is, a place between the root and the crown.
Biochemical composition of the tooth
Since the parts of any tooth differ in their functions, they will also differ in their biochemical composition.
The basic composition of the entire tooth is water, organic and inorganic compounds. In particular, the mineral constituents are important constituents.
Enamel - hard tissue, mineralized. Its strength is determined by a high degree of mineralization.
Dentin is a mineralized tissue that does not have cells as such and blood vessels. It forms the bulk of the tooth. The structure is similar to both enamel and bone tissue.
Pulp is a connective tissue composed of cells and intercellular substance. Pulp performs one of the important functions: it participates in the formation of dentin and ensures the transfer to the central nervous system of the necessary information about the condition of the enamel and the tooth as a whole, which explains the high sensitivity of the teeth.
Mineralization is a process in which an organic base is formed and is saturated with calcium salts, in the presence of those in the body. This is an intensive process that occurs during teething and the formation of dentin and enamel, since initially the tooth has non-mineralized enamel.
Baby teeth. Initial development
Dairy is the first set of teeth. At birth, they are absent, but are already embedded in the gums. At the 7th week of embryo formation, in the area of future processes of the alveoli, a thickening of the epithelium occurs, which in turn begins to grow in the form of an arched plate into the mesenchyme.
Teething begins after birth, and always happens in a certain sequence.
As a rule, milk incisors, front teeth, erupt first, during the period of 4-6 months of the child's life. But dairy premolars - the most recent both at the location in the milk bite, and in turn the appearance, erupt in the period up to 3 years. By this age, the child has all 20 teeth.
But you should not focus strictly on age. Teething, loss and replacement of teeth depend on many factors, including genetic. Therefore, the process can take place in time a little earlier, or vice versa a little later.
Then begins the formation of a permanent bite. And the first erupting tooth to be molar is six, a permanent tooth, the first molar. In its place there is no predecessor. Next comes the second molar, or seventh tooth.
Then begins the replacement of all deciduous teeth, formed by that time, with permanent ones, and, as a rule, the process proceeds in the same order as teething, that is, starting from the front incisors and ending with permanent premolars (4th and 5th m tooth).
The replacement process ends at the age of 8 to 12 years. This is a long period, and, as mentioned above, depends on many factors.
And starting from the 1st molar, or the 6th in a row (six tooth), all new teeth make parents worry about their health and the correct formation of a child’s bite.
Possible teething abnormalities
The reasons that should make parents turn to the dentist and orthodontist are different. But usually this:
- Milk tooth loss ahead of time or out of order. The cause may be physical injury or tooth decay with caries. Loss itself is not a serious problem. But, perhaps, there will be a need to install a temporary prosthesis in place of a milk tooth until a permanent one erupts. After all, the children's jaw is only being formed, and if there is nothing to interfere with the neighboring teeth, then they can shift towards the resulting emptiness. And this will lead to the fact that there is simply not enough space for the future molar.
- The reverse situation is when the milk tooth is too “too long”. Underneath it is already cut through the root, but cannot push it out. In this case, the milk tooth must be removed by the dentist. However, note that in a hurry with the removal is only necessary if the molar cuts over the milk tooth. If the root is not visible, and does not cause any discomfort, then pulling out the milk is not worth it. Since under the tooth there simply may not be a primordial anlage, and then the milk tooth will remain for life.
Depending on the developmental features of the child, both milk and permanent teeth may come out a little later than the standard period. If the milk tooth has not erupted, the cause may be an intrauterine infection, which could affect the tooth germ. If it erupted, but did not try to fall out - this is a standard deviation. The dentist will take an x-ray, and if there is no root germ, then you do not need to touch the milk tooth.
Main and permanent teeth. What are the differences?
Many are accustomed to believe that the milk tooth is temporary, and the molar tooth is permanent, already having a nerve. However, it is not. The correct division of teeth implies milk and permanent, which come to replace them.
But the molars are those teeth that never had predecessors, that is, the molars: the 6th, 7th, and 8th tooth (1st molar - six tooth, 2nd molar - seven tooth, and 3 -th molar - tooth eight).
And premolars (4th and 5th tooth, or 1st and 2nd premolar) are at first milky, and then permanent, and also indigenous, because they replaced the milk predecessors.
Milk teeth change
The process of changing the bite begins much earlier than the first tooth falls out. Over time, milk teeth cease to hold tight in the gums, begin to stagger. And this happens due to the fact that the roots of such teeth are formed from tissue that can dissolve over time. But only if the germ of a permanent tooth appears.
The bud of the future tooth is separated from the root of the milk with just a thin bone plate. If it forms, it will begin to put pressure on this bone septum. Osteoclasts begin to appear in the surrounding tissue, which are designed to destroy it.
From this moment, the process of changing one tooth to another proceeds from two sides: the constant destroys the fencing plate, and the pulp of the milk tooth begins to turn into tissue rich in vessels and the same osteoclasts that destroy the dentin of the milk tooth. As a result, the root dissolves, and only the neck with a crown remains, which are easily removed during the growth of a new tooth.
Molars
The most important task of molars is chewing food. They do not appear at an early age, since there is no need for chewing function yet.
But when they begin to erupt, it gives a lot of unpleasant sensations to children and experiences to their parents. After all, the structure of the molar tooth is different from the rest.
The molars of the upper jaw have three roots and four internal channels, and the molars of the lower jaw have two roots and three channels. But the problem is not in the root canals, but in the fact that these are the largest teeth with a wide chewing tuberous surface, due to which the tooth cuts out rather slowly, literally dissecting the gum.
The process almost always causes pain and inflammation of the gums. And if you consider that the first tooth without a future replacement is a molar of the six, which climbs at the age of about 5-6 years, then you need to pay due attention. In addition to its proper formation, it must be healthy. Indeed, in the event of a lesion, for example, by caries, the removal of a six-tooth will entail further prosthetics or leave a void, which can also affect the formation of the jaw and the entire bite.
Symptoms of teething molars
Of the molars, the first, as a rule, climb the teeth of six.
During teething, the defenses of the immune system are weakened, and the following symptoms may appear, similar to colds:
- fever;
- runny nose;
- and most importantly - increased salivation.
And since the teeth appear in pairs, that is, the canine on the upper right side is cut at the same time as the canine on the upper left side, then the teeth of the six in children come out together, which can aggravate the process.
These teeth erupt the very first of the molars. To alleviate the symptoms of a small child and slightly relieve pain, you can massage your gums with your finger, but be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before doing so. Otherwise, bringing the infection is not difficult. And older children can chew hard vegetables or fruits: apples, carrots and other solid foods.
Note to parents
Below you can see a detailed diagram that tells you when milk teeth appear, they change to permanent and when the molars begin to grow.
Today, many mothers try to control how their child brushes their teeth, but do not always succeed. And then everything starts to drift. They are mistaken, considering that while all the teeth are milk, do not worry, because they will be replaced in any case. However, everything is not so simple.
As could be understood from the foregoing, in early childhood, the most important teeth for mastication, molars, are cut and they will remain for life. If the child began to complain of pain, then, most likely, the six tooth gives it when it grows. Or the next molar.
But if the tooth is formed and continues to hurt, then you should immediately consult a dentist. The root cause, most likely, will be caries, and it is better to immediately establish a filling, otherwise the roots of the six tooth will be affected.
First, the young mother is given a hard time growing the first teeth, when the child does not sleep at night, and all kinds of toys for chewing when teething do not give an effect. The child is crying, but it is impossible to help. Then comes the growth of the first molars, which is exacerbated by the possibility of damage. And in the end, control is weakening. And the baby grows, begins to eat sweets, and all this is reflected mainly on molars, due to their wide surface. And the lower molars, and in particular the lower six tooth, are most susceptible to the destructive effects of bacteria.
Tooth diseases
Parents need to remember one rule: if a child starts to have a toothache, check the six first.
As they say, any disease is much easier to prevent than to treat it later. The same applies to diseases of the teeth and oral cavity.
Six teeth above and below, despite their strength, are subject to mechanical damage from physical exertion and to the effects of an acidic bacterial environment. And since all permanent teeth have nerve endings, any damage will cause pain, and most importantly - an irreversible violation of the tooth structure, not to mention the possible loss of it.
If, due to tissue damage by any disease, it is necessary to remove the six tooth, and this is the largest molar tooth, in addition to the fact that the quality of chewing food will be impaired, there will be an empty hole with a wound, which will increase the likelihood of infection of the entire gum.
The most common dental disease is tooth decay. This is a slowly ongoing process of the impact of the vital activity of bacteria on tooth enamel, as a result of which they gain access to dentin and destroy it. In addition, since the path to the pulp is open, in which the vessels and nerves are located, an infection can get there and cause inflammation of the internal tissues, pulpitis.
Tartar is not so much a disease as the result of improper brushing, as a result or absence of which, soft plaque begins to settle on the enamel, which hardens over time, which makes it difficult to remove it later on. In most cases, it is not dangerous, and is removed in the dental office. However, it can cause gum disease - periodontitis. And if left untreated, then superficial gum disease can develop into a deep one. And then the teeth will suffer.
Molar extraction
Removing any teeth is a very serious procedure. And removing the six tooth is also unpleasant. It is difficult for any adult to endure such an intervention, and the child is even more so. No matter how well the equipment and anesthesia are selected, no matter how competent the doctor is, swelling of the tooth socket and surrounding tissues cannot be avoided. Moreover, the method of removing such teeth implies loosening, which can adversely affect neighboring teeth.
They are deleted only for serious indications. Any competent dentist will try to save the tooth. Removal is prescribed in two cases. Or the tooth interferes with the normal growth of other teeth and the bite may deteriorate because of it. Or it can harm the body in case of serious damage to caries.
Indications and contraindications for removal
The absolute indication is acute purulent inflammation with the possibility of developing osteomyelitis or phlegmon.
Relative indications:
- development of a cyst at the root;
- destruction of the external part of the tooth without the possibility of restoration;
- dystopia or malposition of the tooth in the gum;
- malocclusion;
- periodontitis of the third and fourth degree;
- tooth inflammation caused by tuberculosis or actinomycosis;
- supernumerary teeth of the upper or lower six, which cause malocclusion;
- damage to the root of the tooth during dental intervention.
Dental care
In order that the teeth are not exposed to diseases and do not cause pain and inconvenience, it is necessary to regularly monitor their cleanliness, and also to carry out hygiene measures for brushing every day. – , .
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As a rule, doctors recommend brushing your teeth 2 times a day, morning and evening, but too frequent and intensive brushing, along with its absence, can harm your teeth. Since this is how the natural barrier that protects dentin from the external influence of microorganisms is erased.
Particularly difficult places to clean are:
- the inner side of the lower incisors;
- the inner surface of the lower molars;
- the outer surface of the upper molars;
- back surface of the last upper molars;
- and especially - the teeth of the six in children, since the tuberous surface does not always allow the bristles to “sweep” all the excess from the surface of the teeth.
The toothbrush should not have too hard bristles so as not to damage the gums.
In addition, you can use decoctions of herbs for rinsing. Chamomile or calendula is suitable, as they are natural antiseptics and soothe minor inflammation of the gums. Propolis infusion is very useful. But you need to use it with caution, because he has many contraindications.