當馬克遇上莎莉

One in 2,000 babies is actually born with a tooth or two! But the vast majority sprout their first tooth at approximately six to seven months. An early developer may see his first white cap (usually the lower central incisor) as early as three months, while a late bloomer may have to wait until he's almost a year old. The last teeth (the second molars, found in the upper and lower back of the mouth) are usually in place by the second year. By age three, your child should have a full set of 20 baby teeth. 

How it develops

For many babies and parents, the arrival of the first tooth isn't much fun, and it can be a long, drawn-out process. The early symptoms -- which can include heavy drooling and a fair amount of pain -- often precede the actual event by a month or two. You could be up nights trying to console a child waiting for a tooth to break through. To ease his suffering, your baby may start biting, but not out of anger or hostility. Giving him something to bite on or rubbing his gums gently with your finger can soothe the ache.

Gums can also become swollen when children cut teeth, which may make your child's cheeks appear slightly fuller. Although some parents claim their babies become feverish or get diarrhoea when a tooth is about to come through, most experts agree teething doesn't cause illness. More likely your child is coming down with a cold, mild flu, or tummy troubles, so do get him checked out by your doctor.

For the fortunate ones, teething can be a fairly painless mouth makeover. One week your babe is sporting a toothless grin, and the next a jagged white edge appears on the gum surface. Celebrate the first tooth by taking lots of pictures, and note its arrival date in your child's baby book.

Teeth sprout one after another, first the bottom front ones, then the top two middle ones, then the ones along the sides and back. Tooth development is hereditary, so if you got your teeth early, chances are your child will, too. 

What's next? 

Baby teeth won't fall out until your child's permanent teeth are ready to come in, sometime around age six. 

How you can help

You can't do anything to make teeth appear, but you can comfort your baby if he's in pain as the process starts. First, give your child something to chew on, such as a teething ring kept in the fridge. He may also get some relief from eating cold foods, such as apple puree or yoghurt, straight from the fridge. If you baby is really in distress, you can give her the correct dose of infant paracetamol. Some parents also swear by homeopathic teething powder (available from chemists). If your child is running a temperature, or he is inconsolable, see your doctor -- he may have an ear infection or other illness.

Once teeth are in, it's up to you to keep them clean. For the first year, you won't really need to brush his teeth, but do try to clean them at least once a day, perhaps as part of his bedtime routine. Your child may not be open to having a brush in his mouth just yet, so wipe his gums and teeth with a clean cloth instead. You should also never put your baby to bed with a bottle. Formula and breastmilk can pool in your baby's mouth at night and lead to a condition known as baby-bottle tooth decay.

Check with your doctor, health visitor, or dentist about whether to give your baby fluoride (these cavity-fighting drops are necessary only if you live in an area where the water supply isn't fluoridated).

Around 18 months, your child may be ready to learn to brush his teeth. You will have to help him and check if his cleaning has been effective for several years yet, but its a good habit to get him into. Show him how to move the brush around on his teeth. Use a soft brush and a small dollop of toothpaste. You don't have to brush in a certain direction, just try to get any food particles out and clean the surface of the teeth and the gumline.

If your child doesn't like the taste of the toothpaste, try another brand, or skip it entirely. You don't really need to use toothpaste unless your child's diet includes lots of sugary foods -- which you should avoid anyway. If he does indulge in sweets, at a birthday party for example, make sure to brush his teeth soon after he eats, or encourage him to finish up with something savoury like a piece of cheese. Around his third birthday, make an appointment with your dentist so your child gets used to the idea of having his teeth looked at. 

When to be concerned

Premature babies may be a few months behind in getting their teeth. If by the end of the first year you still don't see any sign of a tooth appearing, bring the matter up at your child's next checkup. If your child has all the signs of teething -- heavy drooling, swollen gums -- but also seems to be having inordinate amounts of pain (crying inconsolably is a big clue), see your doctor. Teething shouldn't be an excruciating ordeal for a baby