Children's teeth start to develop before birth. There are two sets of teeth: milk teeth (sometimes called baby teeth) and permanent teeth.

MILK TEETH

Children usually have 20 milk teeth. They start to push through the gums (erupt) at about six months. Most children have all 20 teeth by the age of two or three. However, this can vary so don’t worry if your child’s teeth come in faster or slower than this. Your child's milk teeth are important for eating, speech, smiling and confidence. They are also important for the development of permanent teeth, so it's very important to look after them.

PERMANENT TEETH

Most of these will erupt by the age of 13. How ever, wisdom teeth (those at the very back of the mouth) often erupt between the ages of 17 and 25, if at all. If your child's permanent teeth are damaged
or need to be removed, there won't be another set of natural teeth to replace them.

WHAT CAN DAMAGE MY CHILD'S TEETH?

TOOTH DECAY

Our mouths are full of bacteria that build up on the teeth in a sticky layer called plaque. These bacteria digest some of the sugar in our food and drinks, making acids that can weaken the tooth enamel (the hard outer layer of teeth). If acid remains on the tooth surface for a long time, it can cause those areas of the tooth to decay. This can happen if children often have sugary foods or drinks, or don't clean their teeth properly. If your child has tooth decay that isn't treated by a dentist, it will eventually reach the centre of the tooth and can cause an infection or toothache.

DENTAL EROSION

Dental erosion is the gradual wearing away of the enamel on the whole surface of the tooth. It's caused by acid attacking the surfaces of the teeth. These acids usually come from drinks such as fruit juices, fizzy drinks and squashes – even the sugar-free varieties. These drinks are so popular that over half of all five-year-olds in the UK have some dental erosion. Acids can also be produced if your child vomits or has stomach problems.

HOWCAN I PROTECT MY CHILD'S TEETH?

To reduce your child's risk of tooth decay and dental erosion:

• take your child to the dentist regularly
• don't give him or her too many sugary or acidic foods and drinks
• encourage your child to brush his or her teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste

GOING TO THE DENTIST

It's a good idea to take your child with you when you go for your routine dental check-ups, even when he or she is too young to have teeth. This helps your child get familiar with the surroundings at the dental surgery.