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Teething can be a painful process for young children, and a confusing time for parents, and the process doesn’t end when your child’s last baby tooth arrives. Here’s what parents can expect from their child’s first adult teeth.

The “6-Year” Molars 

The first adult teeth to emerge are almost always the first molars on the bottom and top rows of teeth, behind your child’s 2 year molars. These molars are often called “6-year” molars because they typically arrive between the ages of 6 and 7. Sometimes, parents mistake 6-year molars for primary teeth because they arrive so early. However, they are permanent teeth, and need to be cared for as such. Baby teeth and adult teeth both require care and attention for a healthy smile.

6-Year Molar Concerns 

Your child will most likely experience some discomfort and sometimes, painful symptoms as their first adult molars arrive. Symptoms include: headaches, jaw pain, swelling, cheek biting, and sometimes a low-grade fever. If your child is experiencing any discomfort near their 6-year molars, have them gently massage their gums with a damp toothbrush, and eating and drinking cold, soft foods. They can also swish around warm salt water to combat soreness and swelling, or take some children’s ibuprofen for more severe pain. 

Eating with 6-Year Molars 

Tooth and jaw pain can become a more common occurrence when your child is getting their first adult teeth. As a parent, you can help ease their teething pain by being mindful of their diet. Try to minimize the time they have to spend grinding hard foods with their molars that may cause them pain. Instead of hard, crunchy or zesty foods, try to use more gentle texture and foods like mashed potatoes or mashed vegetables, chilled applesauce, smoothies, or a soft chicken salad.

When Will All of Their Adult Teeth Arrive? 

The rest of your child’s adult teeth include 4 central incisors, 4 lateral incisors, 8 premolars, 4 canines and 12 molars. Each of these teeth arrives at different rates, but most arrive by the age of 13. The third molars, or wisdom teeth arrive between 17 and 21 years.

Bonus: Wisdom Teeth 

The last permanent teeth that arrive are the third molars, or wisdom teeth. Because they are the furthest teeth in the back of the mouth, wisdom teeth are often not needed for chewing and processing food, and most are actually removed so they don’t negatively impact a smile. Wisdom teeth can be painful as they arrive, and should be x-rayed by your child’s dentist to determine the right course of action. 

Visit Our Office 

It’s normal for your child to experience some discomfort as their first adult teeth arrive. Visit our office for more information about growing a healthy adult smile, and how you can help guide your child to oral health success.

New parents have a lot to handle as they welcome an infant into their home. Here’s some essential tips that can help new parents baby-proof their house and make it safer for their brand new family member.

Don’t Let Things Tumble Down 

The U.S. Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that more than 16,000 children under the age of 5 are injured each year by television sets, bookcases, and other heavy pieces of furniture. To prevent this, secure your heavy furniture to the wall with bolts to prevent it from falling over. Be sure to move heavy items away from the edges of furniture pieces so that your toddler doesn’t pull something down on herself.  Also, you can move tall, wobbly lamps behind furniture so that they can’t get pulled down.

Think of Your Fireplace 

If you have a fireplace, be sure to buy a sturdy safety gate to protect your baby from crawling into unsafe territory. If you have fireplace tools, be sure to keep them behind the fireplace safety gate. 

Cover Electric Outlets 

Electric outlets can be incredibly dangerous, because toddlers are tempted to play with them and place object in them. To prevent this, place electrical outlet covers that have a sliding safety latch. This makes is far more difficult for a toddler to access.

Avoid an Invisible Threat 

There are around 430 deaths in the United States due o carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is often called “the invisible threat” because it is a tasteless, odorless gas that can flood a room and poison those inside. To avoid carbon monoxide problems, install a carbon monoxide detector on every story of  your house to alert you of any elevated levels of carbon monoxide. 

Remove Unsafe Blinds 

Blinds with looped cords are a real safety concerns for parents with young children. Before your baby can crawl, we suggest replacing any blinds or curtains that use cords with ones that do not have cords. If you are not able to replace the cords, tie the cord out of reach of your child. 

Make Stairs Safe 

You can make stairs much safer for your infant by placing baby gates at the top and bottom of any stairways in your house. This can help prevent your child from accidentally falling and injuring themselves. 

Prevent a Poisoning 

Did you know that more than 1.2 million possible poisonings of children under age 5 were reported in 2009? Parents need to store all of their hazardous chemicals out of reach of their children in a secure area. Additionally, you should keep medications well out of reach of their young children, and dispose of any old medication. Be prepared for a potential poisoning by having the National Poison Control Center’s number – (800) 222 – 1222 – always accessible.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Office 

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends parents establish a dental home for their child before their first birthday. This can help build a positive association o f dental care for your children, and make them more proactive in taking care of their own oral health.