You don't typically think of a newborn baby as having teeth. But actually at birth, a newborn already has formed the 20 primary or baby teeth, which can begin showing up by the time the child is 6 months old. By the age of three, your child should have a full set of 20 baby teeth. Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth. They aid in chewing, speaking and appearance. They hold the space for permanent teeth, and help give the face its shape and form. If a baby tooth is lost too soon, a space maintainer may be needed until the permanent tooth appears. Otherwise, the permanent teeth may come in crooked, causing lengthy or expensive treatment in the future. Help establish a friendly relationship with your dentist by scheduling a dental visit by your child's first birthday. Your dentist can help teach you how to correctly clean your child's teeth and evaluate tooth development. It's never too early to establish good dental habits.