With two baby grandchildren approaching a year old, we love the toothy smile of one and the incoming sharp little stubs of another. Yes, we remember our children and older grandchildren and baby teeth, but we grandparents never had a chart to refer to that explains kinds of teeth and when we might expect them to sprout or not, and what will replace the baby teeth or add to them and when. We never really had good information about anything dealing with child rearing, so we appreciate the internet for information for our grandchildren.
All this Grandma can remember about teething and babies is that once the baby begins to sleep through the night, the baby starts teething and crying through the night. For those of us who can remember our wisdom teeth coming in, we know how painful this is. For parents who are looking forward to when their baby sleeps through the night, the teething experience is just pouring salt on a wound.
On December 30, 2018, in the Science section, The New York Times printed a chart called “Bye Bye, Baby Teeth, by Katie Peek. Yes, it talks about when a baby will get teeth and in what order. As we wise grandparents know, no two babies will get teeth just when the chart says). It tells us when the grandchildren will lose their baby teeth. Most important for grandparents, it explains more about teeth that we can explain to our grandchildren:
HOW A TOOTH FALLS OUT AND WHAT HOLDS A TOOTH IN THE MOUTH: Just look at our pink gums and know they are tissue, which tissue inside the tooth itself connect to.
WHAT MAKES A BABY TOOTH COME LOOSE AND FALL OUT. We all should know this. When the adult tooth moves to the surface, it pushes the baby tooth out, with our body helping by breaking down the tissue and root. Most important, as our jaws grow, we need bigger teeth to fill it.
We grandparents can use the chart in so many ways, such as explaining the actual names of each kind of tooth, and locating each kind in our grandchildren’s mouth. We may even develop an interest in a career in dentistry.
Most important for grandparents, we can participate in the rituals and traditions around baby teeth, appreciating that we are not the ones staying up all night with crying babies.
Here are previous posts for more baby teeth and tooth fairy information:
“Teeth and Dental Health Is In the News and the Best Good News is Less Dentist Drilling Is In All of Our Futures, Especially Grandchildren,” which includes ideas for toothbrushes as visit presents too.
”Tooth Fairy Inflation” Helps Grandma Give Gifts that Teach Finance,” with ideas for tooth fairy pillows and boxes, and games for grandchildren too.
And for those sleep deprived parents, we grandparents may want to share “What Grandmas Know About Babies Sleeping Through The Night Predates the Studies and Shows The Value of Experience.”
Yes, we can be prepared for our grandchildren’s questions and create interest, and also provide much needed information they don’t even know they need.
Joy,
Mema