Baby teeth actually begin to develop during pregnancy. According to Popular Science, the first tooth buds form early, long before the child is born.
After birth, the teeth typically emerge when the child is between six and nine months old. However, there can be significant variation from child to child.
It is only when teeth have not appeared by around the age of two that professionals begin to take notice.
Important functions
Baby teeth help children eat solid food and learn to speak. They also play a crucial role in the development of the jaw.
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At the same time, they ensure there is space for the permanent teeth later in life. If baby teeth are lost too early, it can cause problems with tooth alignment.
According to Popular Science, teeth emerge precisely at the time when the child begins to use them actively.
Traces from pregnancy
New research shows that baby teeth may be able to reveal information about life in the womb.
A study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that small lines in the teeth may be linked to the mother’s stress during pregnancy.
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These markers could, in the future, be used to detect the risk of health problems early in a child’s life.
Baby teeth are therefore not only temporary but can also provide important insights into a child’s development.
Sources: Popular Science, and JAMA Network Open.
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