My son has finally got his two front teeth. They are huge! Like adult teeth. Also, he has a rather noticable gap between them. The gap is something that most of the people on my husband's side of the family have and get fixed. When do I take him to a dentist to see what we should do?
Hi M.
Even though the gap runs in the family dentist say it is better for children to have gaps in there teeth that way the sugar doesn't sit between there teeth. But parents all do things differently but I have a neice and a nephew who both had gaps in there teeth and now with them being 5 and 6 there teeth are falling out and coming back in fine (NO GAPS).
Most dentists don't want to see kids until they're about 3 (once all of their baby teeth come in) of course if his teeth are causing problems you can push the first appointment up a bit. The gap can be fixed later in life and they won't be able to fix it until he has all of his teeth (gaps run in my family too). As far as the size of his teeth just give it time, it's likely they will match the rest when they emerge and if they don't there's not a whole lot a dentist can do short of pulling them and giving him fakes (yet another thing they won't do until he is much older). I would leave him be for now... if the gap is still an issue when you bring him at 3 address it with your dentist and let him/her make the call if there's anything that can be done at that point. Good luck to ya!
I have worked in dental for 18 yrs. now, I am not a Dr. but I do know a bit...firstly, DON'T worry! The first 2 teeth may look huge, and in your sons case, may look bigger than normal because of family history of larger than normal teeth. (if this is the case) Or because you've only seen that cute gummy grin till now and may seem enormous to you! And secondly, all baby teeth will have gaps between them..this is to make way for the bigger adult teeth later in life..and same thing with the gap, if some members of family have had this, than possibly he will..but that's a long way off..around 6-7 yrs. is when you will see his adult front teeth, and even then, if you want to have it fixed, your dentist will have you wait until most of his adult teeth are in, and that will be around 12 for when 12 yr. molars come in, and even later for wisdom...a good dentist will have you wait, because as all teeth are coming in, they push and crowd each other around, and you should wait to see how much the gap will be "naturally" closed or affected by the teeth themselves. Putting something to cover the gap before then, which is costly, or braces which is even more costly, can be ruined by bigger back teeth coming in...around 12 is a good time to consider orthodontics. (braces) As far as taking him to his first trip to the dentist? Some say as soon as he gets his first teeth..which is good to get him comfortable with going..if you start now, by the time he goes in for braces? He will be a pro, with no fear! They don't do much of anything at first..just look..some say wait till about 2 when he can understand more, and communication is better..that's best I think..I started mine around 2...good luck, and most of all no worries Mom! :) And above is all just my humble opinion! Hope it helped!
Hi M. E.,
I work for a dentist as a dental assistant. How old is your son? You should take kids at an early age like about 1 yr. old. Just to get hom use to the chair and the dentist. If your son is 1 than don't worry about the gap his adult teeth usually fill that space in. But, I would take him to the dentist just to get him checked out.
M. D.
a gap is good and they will get closer together as all his teeth come in. it's even good when they're older (5 or 6) to have spaces in between their teeth so there will be room for their adult teeth, otherwise, they would be crowded.
You can take your child to the dentist anytime you choose after their teeth start coming in but there's not much they're going to do when a child is this young. Gaps between baby teeth are a good thing. Children lose their baby teeth and they need room for the bigger permnant (sp) teeth. My daughter has/had PERFECT baby teeth. Our dentist took one look at her and said that she would need braces. I wouldn't worry about it but if you need reassurance, go to your dentist or call your pedi.
God bless,
Chris H.
In Texas they suggest that they see the dentist at 1 and then every 6 months after that. But usually the first two years worth of check ups aren't really much just to familiarize them with the dentist.
Also, I wouldn't worry about it right now. Once more teeth start coming in they may push together. And if there was a problem and there was a gap that needed to be fixed they feasibly couldn't do it till all the adult teeth were in.
Everything I have ever read has said that we can't predict the way adult teeth will come in by looking at their baby teeth. So I would say not to be concerned about it until you see the adult teeth. As far as taking them to the dentist, I would love an answer on that too. I had always heard they don't need to go until they were 3, but then a couple other people told me to go whn his teeth start coming in. My 17 month old has 4 upper teeth, 4 lower teeth and 4 molars. We brush them obviously, but haven't taken him to the dentist mainly because I don't think my insurance covers it yet. I would love to know if anyone had a more "for sure" answer.
My oldest son (he is 6) has a gap- between all his teeth really but more noticable in the front. Our dentist said that is the perfect situation because it allows more room for his teeth to move around and for his adult teeth. They do grow into those big teeth! I would think the dentist wouldn't do anything until puberty (like when they get braces).
