In babies, temporary teeth begin to grow at 6 months, by the age of two they already have a bite. From the age of 6 they are replaced by permanent dental units, and this process is completely completed by the age of 14. During this period, the bite is considered removable, since at the same time temporary and permanent incisors are present in the oral cavity. Parents should know how to distinguish a milk tooth from a molar tooth on their own. In difficult situations, radiography is best to avoid problems.
Features of deciduous teeth
Temporary dental units, as a rule, fully grow in a child up to 3 years. In this case, the very first teeth begin to appear in many babies in six months. First, a cutter begins to grow on the lower jaw of the crumbs, and then the rest come out already. In total, children have 20 temporary teeth. After 6 years of age, the time will come for the appearance of the first molars and central incisors.
Permanent teeth
When a temporary bite changes to a permanent one, 12 molars grow in the baby . On each jaw there are 6 teeth. The upper units are stronger than the lower ones. They have 3 roots apart, in some cases 4.
Permanent molars, fangs and incisors are cut when dairy falls out. True, sometimes a temporary tooth still does not even stagger, and the molar already wants to take its place. Because of this, the child feels discomfort and pain in the oral cavity. Of course, in such a situation it is better to consult a dentist to prevent the curvature of the molar.
In girls, the change of temporary teeth to molars occurs faster than in boys. But a permanent bite is fully formed in both those and others, usually by the age of 12.
How to understand that the baby will soon grow permanent teeth?
Before distinguishing a milk tooth from a molar tooth in a child, it is necessary to find out exactly when the constant units begin to erupt. There are several signs that indicate the imminent appearance of molars, incisors and fangs:
- There is a shakiness of the milk teeth, since the temporary root is gradually absorbed, and as a result of this, it can no longer hold firmly in the tissues of the jaw.
- The formation of interdental fissures in the interchangeable bite. The jaw of the crumbs is constantly growing, so the teeth on it become spacious.
- Sometimes on the gum where the molar should grow, redness and slight swelling occur. And sometimes even a small cyst forms with a clear liquid inside.
- The milk tooth has already fallen out, which means that he has pushed it out of the gums and is about to grow it himself soon.
Oral hygiene during bite changes
Both the milk tooth and the molar tooth (their difference, however, is obvious), need regular care. It is imperative to adhere to certain rules:
- After each snack, rinse your mouth with water.
- Use a soft brush to clean gums and teeth. This procedure is recommended in the morning and evening.
- If problems arise, do not postpone the visit to the dentist.
- Visit the dentist every six months for a routine examination.
When a baby experiences pain during teething of permanent teeth, a cooling and anesthetic agent should be used to weaken them, for example, Kalgel gel. After application, this drug will eliminate irritating symptoms.
How to distinguish molar from milk?
The photo below allows you to see the difference between temporary and permanent incisors, fangs, molars. Molar teeth are larger than milk teeth. Indeed, during the period of the appearance of temporary units, the child’s jaw is smaller than with the eruption of permanent ones.
Milk teeth have a more rounded shape, since the child does not need to chew a lot of solid food. By the way, that is why among the temporary units there are no wisdom teeth, as well as third and second molars.
And here are some more tips on how to distinguish a milk tooth from a molar tooth at home, if the above examples did not help to figure it out. Milk fangs and incisors usually grow vertically relative to the jaw, while the permanent ones tend to be inclined towards the lips and cheeks. Crowns in molars are 1.5-2 times wider than in milk teeth.
In addition, temporary teeth differ from permanent incisors in color. The first incisors in the baby are white with a slight bluish tint, and the root incisors have a yellowish-grayish color. In addition, the neck of a permanent tooth is darker than that of a temporary tooth. In milk molars on the surface there are two tubercles for chewing process, and in permanent - four.
In addition, enamel is thin for milk incisors, and hard, for indigenous ones. For this reason, temporary teeth are so easily amenable to drilling and other manipulations that the dentist performs during treatment.
Another difference between primary teeth and molars is in their number. In adults, there are 32 units, and in babies - only 20 temporary. Dental roots of a permanent bite diverge and bend, thereby providing a strong fixation with the jaw.
Dentist help with tooth loss
Quite often, the change of bite is painless. During the loss of temporary teeth, unpleasant sensations in many cases do not occur. However, sometimes the baby when teething the root unit is disturbed by such unpleasant symptoms as:
- itching
- severe pain;
- high body temperature;
- increased sensitivity of enamel.
If these unpleasant sensations appear, consult a specialist. Parents should also be wary if a child has had a massive hemorrhage in the place of a recently dropped out temporary tooth.
It is necessary to visit the dental clinic, and if the molar does not appear for a long time after the loss of milk. You may need treatment.
Before you distinguish a milk tooth from a molar tooth, you need to check whether the child is worried about pain in the gums. Sometimes, with the formation of a permanent bite, inflammatory processes and other complications occur that cause the baby great discomfort. If the molar is improperly grown, you need to see a doctor, since in the future this can badly affect the bite.
How to distinguish a milk tooth from a molar tooth using radiography?
If it is difficult to understand whether the child’s temporary incisor is permanent or already, it is better to do a radiography. Such a study will help to decide how to properly treat this dental unit. The x-ray shows:
- Are tooth buds present under milk fangs and incisors.
- The location of the growing permanent tooth, which allows you to determine the correctness of its position after eruption.
- The length of the roots, which is shorter in temporary teeth than in molars.
Do not forget to maintain a healthy and attractive smile, the child must adhere to proper nutrition, oral hygiene and visit a dentist. It is the doctor who knows exactly how to distinguish a milk tooth from a molar tooth.