Every baby goes through the process of teething. While some breeze through with little to no problems, other babies have a hard time. As the new bottom teeth appear, they will likely have a saw-edged look, which as the child begins chewing will go away. Some children will have gaps in the front teeth, again something relatively common. In other words, if your child is teething and you find they are not “perfect” teeth, do not panic.
Sometimes, as the child begins to get his or her permanent teeth, a problem with space can develop. I remember when I was 13 with a full set of permanent teeth. I had so many that they were overlapping so eight of my teeth were pulled. Even as I went into adulthood, I had to have all my wisdom teeth pulled as well because there was simply not enough room. The key is working with a good dentist, one who is trained for babies and children. As permanent teeth begin arriving, the dentist can make the appropriate recommendations for any potential problems.
The thing to remember is that while your child may have irregular baby teeth, as the permanent teeth take over, he or she may end up with a beautiful smile. Therefore, do not base the future of your child’s look or health based on baby teeth. After all, the adult look is based on more than teeth it is also based on the development of the jawbones. Whether dealing with baby teeth or permanent teeth, any questions should be addressed. In most cases, everything is fine but there are times when special care is required.
Finally, if your child is a thumb-sucker, we recommend you try to wean him or her from this as soon as possible. Although the thumb can be comforting to a child, it can also lead to problems with the teeth, pushing them outward. The result is what we all know as “buck teeth”. Instead, find an orthodontic pacifier that can be used without causing potential damage.