Deciduous teeth

"Baby teeth" redirects here. For other uses, see Baby teeth (disambiguation).

Deciduous teeth
A six year old girl's deciduous teeth, which are beginning to fall out.
Latin	dentes decidui
Code	TA A05.1.03.076

Deciduous teeth, otherwise known as reborner teeth, baby teeth, temporary teeth and primary teeth, are the first set of teeth in the growth development of humans and many other mammals. In some Asian countries they are referred to as fall teeth as they will eventually fall out, while in almost all European languages they are called milk teeth. They develop during the embryonic stage of development and erupt—that is, they become visible in the mouth—during infancy. They are usually lost and replaced by permanent teeth, but in the absence of permanent replacements, they can remain functional for many years.

Description

Deciduous teeth start to form during the embryo phase of pregnancy. The development of deciduous teeth starts at the sixth week of development as the dental lamina. This process starts at the midline and then spreads back into the posterior region. By the time the embryo is eight weeks old, there are ten areas on the upper and lower arches that will eventually become the deciduous dentition. These teeth will continue to form until they erupt in the mouth. In the deciduous dentition there are a total of twenty teeth: five per quadrant and ten per arch. The eruption of these teeth ("teething") begins at the age of six months and continues until twenty-five to thirty-three months of age. Usually, the first teeth seen in the mouth are the mandibular centrals and the last are the maxillary second molars.

The deciduous dentition is made up of central incisors, lateral incisors, canines, first molars, and secondary molars; there is one in each quadrant, making a total of four of each tooth. All of these are gradually replaced with a permanent counterpart except for the first and second molars; they are replaced by premolars. The replacement of deciduous teeth begins around age six. At that time, the permanent teeth start to appear in the mouth, resulting in mixed dentition. The erupting permanent teeth causes root resorption, where the permanent teeth push down on the roots of the deciduous teeth, causing the roots to be dissolved and become absorbed by the forming permanent teeth. The process of shedding deciduous teeth and the replacement by permanent teeth is called exfoliation. This may last from age six to age twelve. By age twelve there usually are only permanent teeth remaining.

An eight-year old's deciduous teeth.

Teething age of deciduous teeth:

• Central incisors : 6–12 months
• Lateral incisors : 9–16 months
• Canine teeth : 16–23 months
• First molars : 13–19 months
• Second molars : 22–33 months

Deciduous teeth are considered essential in the development of the oral cavity by dental researchers and dentists. The permanent teeth replacements develop from the same tooth bud as the deciduous teeth; this provides a guide for permanent teeth eruption. Also the muscles of the jaw and the formation of the jaw bones depend on the primary teeth in order to maintain the proper space for permanent teeth. The roots of deciduous teeth provide an opening for the permanent teeth to erupt. These teeth are also needed for proper development of a child's speech and chewing of food.

Deciduous teeth care

Proper care of deciduous teeth is very important and starts at early stages even prior to their eruption. Breast milk does not contribute to tooth decay, even during night feeding, as long as the child is exclusively breast fed.^{[citation needed]} Infant formula can dissolve tooth enamel (the outer layer of teeth), while human milk, actually deposits calcium and phosphorus into enamel (a process known as remineralization). Researchers^[who?] also concluded that human milk is not cariogenic (does not cause cavities), unless another source of carbohydrates is available for bacteria to feed on. Most artificial baby milk formulas tested were cariogenic, (caused cavities).^[1]

When feeding anything other than breast milk or water, a child's mouth and gums are to be wiped with a clean damp cloth, gauze pad, or especially designed teeth wipes. Wiping the baby's teeth and gums after each feeding, and particularly at bedtime, helps prevent baby bottle tooth decay. This practice also helps reduce premature decay caused by harmful plaque-like film and bacteria that builds when babies ingest juices or any food containing sugar.^[2] Moreover, to reduce the possibilities to develop baby bottle tooth decay, it is better to give the baby only plain water at bedtime or during the night and avoid juices, sugar water, any milk, (other than human breast milk), or any other liquid containing sugar.

Once the first primary teeth come in, brushing starts. Warm water is normally used in these cases or a non fluoride toothpaste.^[3] The market offers special toothbrushes or finger toothbrushes for babies that help protect tender gums and gently clean baby teeth and gums. Other toothbrushes are specially designed for toddlers to easily grip them. They also come in catchy designs that encourage toddlers to use them. Toothbrush designs vary according to age, therefore, it is better to check the age recommendation on the package to obtain the most convenient one. Toothbrushes should be replaced every two to three months. It is also important to brush children's teeth after giving them medicine as their acids may affect the tooth enamel.^[4] Early brushing helps reduce harmful bacteria, remove plaque, sugar, or any other kind of food that may cause tooth decay.

Parents are advised to take their children to the first dentist visit when they are 12 months old. During this visit, the dentist can define dental care plan. Two possible ways to prevent tooth decay are the use of fluoride and sealants.

Fluoride makes teeth stronger over time which then prevents the initiation of dental caries and tooth decay. Also, it re-mineralizes those areas of the teeth which have been weakened by acid. Fluoride can be included in one's diet. Other ways of obtaining fluoride are in toothpastes and mouth rinses that are normally used at homes. The dentist can provide it through gels and foams he applies during dental visits.^[5]

To add to the benefits of the fluoride, dentists also apply sealant in order to preserve the teeth even more. Sealant is applied in some locations of the teeth that smooth their surface. Therefore, food and plaque are less likely to get trapped in those areas.^[6]

Children can start flossing when they are about 3-4 years old. However, at this age they might still need help and will be able to floss by themselves when they are 8-10 years old.^[7]

Cultural traditions

Various cultures have customs relating to the loss of deciduous teeth. These were most commonly associated with mice or other rodents on account of their sharp, everlasting teeth.

In Britain, lost teeth were commonly burnt to destroy them. This was partly for religious reasons connected with the Last Judgement and partly for fear of what might happen if an animal got them. A rhyme might be said as a blessing:^[8]

Old tooth, new tooth
Pray God send me a new tooth

The legend of the tooth fairy is that of a fairy that gives a child money and/or gifts in exchange for a baby tooth that has fallen out. Children typically place the tooth under their pillow at night. The fairy is said to take the tooth from under the pillow and replace it with money once they have fallen asleep.

Tooth tradition present in the United States sometimes comes under different names. A Ratón Pérez appeared in the tale of the Vain Little Mouse. The Ratoncito Pérez was used by Colgate marketing in Venezuela^[9] and Spain^{[citation needed]}. In Italy, the Tooth Fairy (Fatina) is also often replaced by a small mouse (topino). In France and in French-speaking Belgium, this character is called la petite souris ("The Little Mouse"). From parts of lowland Scotland comes a tradition similar to the fairy mouse: a white fairy rat who purchases the teeth with coins. In medieval Scandinavia there was a tradition, surviving to the present day in Iceland, of tannfé ('tooth-money'), a gift to a child when it cuts its first tooth.^[10]

In Turkey, children traditionally throw their fallen "milk teeth" onto the roof of their house while making a wish. Similarly, in some Asian countries, such as India, Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines, when a child loses a tooth, the usual custom is that he or she should throw it onto the roof if it came from the lower jaw, or into the space beneath the floor if it came from the upper jaw. While doing this, the child shouts a request for the tooth to be replaced with the tooth of a mouse. This tradition is based on the fact that the teeth of mice grow for their entire lives, a characteristic of all rodents. In Japan, a different variation calls for lost upper teeth to be thrown straight down to the ground and lower teeth straight up into the air; the idea is that incoming teeth will grow in straight.^{[citation needed]}

In parts of India, young children offer their discarded baby teeth to the sun, sometimes wrapped in a tiny rag of cotton turf^{[clarification needed]}. In southern India, children bury their teeth in the soil hoping for a newer one to grow. The Sri Lankan tradition is to throw the milk teeth onto the roof or a tree in the presence of a squirrel (Funambulus palmarum). The child then tells the squirrel to take the old tooth in return for a new one.

The tradition of throwing a baby tooth up into the sky to the sun or to Allah and asking for a better tooth to replace it is common in Middle Eastern countries (including Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt and Sudan). It may originate in a pre-Islamic offering and certainly dates back to at least the 13th century, when Izz bin Hibat Allah Al Hadid mentions it.^[11]

In some places in Australia and Norway, the children put the tooth in a glass of water.

In the fictional world of Tremont, baby teeth are saved so that, should the persons body be lost when they die (death at sea for instance) some part of them may still be buried, and can properly access the afterlife.

See also

• Head and neck anatomy
• Permanent teeth
• Tooth fairy

References

1. ^ Erickson, PR.; Mazhari, E.. "Investigation of the role of human breast milk in caries development.". Pediatr Dent 21 (2): 86–90. PMID 10197331. 
2. ^ "Baby Toothbrush". http://www.toothbrushes.com/baby-toothbrush.html. Retrieved June 10, 2010. 
3. ^ "Pediatric dentistry for children". http://www.theultimatedentistryguide.com/pediatric-dentistry/. Retrieved June 10, 2010. 
4. ^ "Oral Health Care Necessities for Children & Infants". http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/children/. Retrieved June 10, 2010. 
5. ^ "Fluoride: The Tooth Protector". http://www.yourdentistryguide.com/fluoride/. Retrieved June 10, 2010. 
6. ^ "What are Dental Sealants?". http://www.animated-teeth.com/tooth_sealants/t1_sealing_teeth.htm. Retrieved June 10, 2010. 
7. ^ "Dental Health Guide for Children". http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/pediatricadvice/a/dental_health.htm. Retrieved June 10, 2010. 
8. ^ Steve Roud (2006), "Teeth: disposal of", The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland, ISBN 9780141941622 
9. ^ ¡Producto Registrado!: Agosto 1998: Centuria Dental.
10. ^ Cleasby, Richard and Gudbrand Vigfusson, An Icelandic-English Dictionary, 2nd edn by William A. Craigie (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1957), s.v. tannfé (first edition available at http://www.ling.upenn.edu/~kurisuto/germanic/oi_cleasbyvigfusson_about.html).
11. ^ Al Hamdani, Muwaffak and Wenzel, Marian. "The Worm in the Tooth", Folklore, 1966, vol. 77, pp. 60-64.

External links

• Gray anatomy skull of 6-year old child showing both sets of teeth
• Primary dentition - Baby teeth chart Morphology and eruption time (teething age) of primary teeth.