The baby teeth otherwise known as the deciduous teeth has many similarities to the adult/permanent teeth. To someone who doesn’t have the know how, spotting the difference between a baby tooth and an adult one could be quite confusing but here are 6 simple ways to spot the difference.
- Size: This is the most readily visible difference. Baby teeth are usually smaller in size than the adult teeth.
- Shade/Colour: Compared to adult teeth, baby teeth are whiter. Many parents often complain that their children’s teeth are getting brown not knowing that they are actually shedding the baby teeth for the permanent ones and so they appear to be darker than the baby teeth.
- The edges of the front teeth (Incisors): The adult front teeth that have just come into the mouth usually have rough edges known as mamelons which wear off over time. These are only seen in adult/permanent incisors.
- The outer layer of the tooth (the enamel): this is thinner in the baby/deciduous teeth compared to the adult teeth. This is why children with baby teeth often develop holes/tooth decay more easily because the decay can progress to involve the inner layers of the tooth (the dentine and pulp) thereby causing pain.
- Roots: The roots of the baby teeth are usually slender and short compared to the permanent ones which are bigger and longer.
- Number: There are 20 baby teeth and 32 adult teeth. The first baby tooth comes into the mouth around 6 months of age and all 20 would have come out by two and a half years. The first adult tooth comes into the mouth by 6 years and by age twenty five all 32 would have been out. (Please note: some people have 28 adult teeth as against 32; this is still regarded as normal)
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