When asked, many parents might name milestones in their children’s lives like learning to crawl, speaking, and starting school. One milestone that’s typically overlooked, however, is the development of your kids’ adult teeth as it relates to their maturing appearance. For four to six months, parents embrace the gummy smiles and toothless grins their newborns flash. Then, teething sets in. The fevers, drooling and general fussiness are enough to rock even the strongest-willed. Once teething is conquered, then comes losing baby teeth. This momentous time is marked by stories of the tooth fairy and of coins under the pillow.
Many parents assume at this point that the journey of teeth is over. With adult teeth coming in, the passage from childhood to tween years is well underway, and other milestones are on their minds. But the journey to adult teeth is far from done. Just like many other aspects of growing up, fitting into a quickly changing body more suited for adulthood can cause awkwardness, stress and tension. This could not be truer than with a shifting set of teeth.
The forgotten step of the tooth-development journey
Some children begin losing their baby teeth as young as five years old. At this time, their mouths are still small, and adult teeth look large in comparison. Thankfully, in those early years most children lack the self-awareness to know their new smile doesn’t fit their smaller features. Much like a puppy that has to grow into their oversized paws and floppy ears, young children need to mature into their adult teeth.
As children enter the volatile tween years, some become increasingly aware of their teeth. Not only could they be self-conscious of their size, but it is incredibly common for them to come in crooked. As a parent, it is important to remember that just like teething, this too is a phase. Encourage your child to continue to practice good oral health, and keep up the bi-annual appointments to the dentist.
While parents know this is one of the many trials of adolescence, at this moment, it might be all your tween can see in the mirror. Encourage your kids to point out other features they like about themselves. Help them highlight their strong legs that make them the fastest on the soccer team, or bright-eyes that help them spot things no one else sees. Also, a favorite family meal putting teeth to work the way they were meant to can always help overcome our hardships.
Recent changes in orthodontics
For those whose teeth have come in crooked, a trip to the orthodontist is likely in order. Thankfully, these days braces are seemingly as common as teenage acne. Many parents remember the days of one-size-fits-all, metal braces that sometimes came with the dreaded head gear. But today, orthodontia has progressed, and now there are numerous options like clear braces and Invisalign. These advances are great choices for tweens who are concerned about the look of traditional braces.
Each orthodontic journey is different, but after a couple of years, braces come off and you are left with life-long straight teeth that you can be proud of.
Coping with tooth-consciousness
For those whose kids are shy about smiling due to the fear of showing their less-than-perfect teeth, this might be a good time to bring out your old pictures. There are few things that make a kid laugh more than looking at how goofy their parents used to be. Middle school is a rough time for most kids as they struggle with a transitioning body, peer pressure, and navigating new social situations. Taking a trip down memory lane and showing that yes, even their “lame” parents used to struggle with the same things, can help your kids open up. You’ll most likely get a kick out of your old photos, too.
The journey from baby teeth to adult teeth can be market by the excitement of the tooth fairy, stress of oversized teeth, and the joy of getting braces off after years of adjustment. Just like many other trials of adolescence, the changes in your child’s mouth may seem all-consuming in the moment, but only a blip in the radar when you get to the other side.
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