We think the foundation for long-term oral health is laid by taking care of children's baby teeth and teaching them about oral hygiene at a young age.
Your child acquires and develops new skills daily. Due to the fact that these years can lay the foundation for lifelong oral health, it is crucial to pay close attention to your toddler's baby teeth and smile from an early age. We will discuss the significance of baby teeth and how you can assist your child in maintaining a healthy smile immediately.
Why are baby teeth important?
You may wonder why baby teeth are still significant if they are not permanent and will eventually fall out. Around six months, the first baby teeth, typically the bottom front teeth, begin to erupt. Your child should have ten upper teeth, ten lower teeth, and the last baby teeth in the back of the mouth and upper jaw by the age of three.
Baby teeth serve a variety of functions in the mouths of our young patients. They are for talking, eating, and brightening up the room with a smile. Baby teeth in a child's mouth also serve as placeholders for adult teeth in the jaws.
Around age 6, your child should begin to lose their first baby tooth and adult teeth will start to emerge. The timing of this tooth loss is critical. If your child loses a baby tooth too early, contact your child's dentist about how the correct space can be kept in the mouth so the adult teeth will erupt normally.
How should I take care of baby teeth?
Now is the time to create a solid oral healthcare routine for your child. By combining at-home care with regular dental visits, you can help keep your child's smile healthy.
Brush twice per day (morning and night) to prevent cavities.
To keep your infant's mouth clean, wipe it with a wet pad or cloth. For children under the age of three, use an ultra-soft toothbrush and a grain of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Greater than three-year-olds should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
Once your child can spit out all of the toothpaste after brushing, switch to fluoridated toothpaste (ask your dentist before switching). Brush your child's teeth together until every tooth is clean.
Visit your child's dentist regularly
Before their child's first birthday, parents should schedule their first dental examination. The first baby tooth should have emerged by now. We will demonstrate how to care for your child's teeth at home, examine his or her mouth for plaque and cavities, and inform you when your child's next tooth is due to erupt. Every six months, children should visit the dentist for a professional examination and cleaning.
Limit sugary or acidic treats
The high acidity and sugar content of soda and fruit juice can harm your child's baby teeth. Avoid candy and other sweets because they erode tooth enamel and increase your child's risk of developing cavities.
Look into dental sealants for your child
Sealants are special coatings that are applied to the grooves and pits of a child's molars (back teeth). These prevent tooth decay on the biting surfaces of teeth. Your dentist may recommend sealants if your child is at high risk for developing cavities.
Check into fluoride treatment
Fluoride is a proactive measure to help protect your child's teeth from cavities.
Floss regularly
Once all the baby teeth have erupted, start flossing. There are special flossers for kids.
This is general advice. Certain children may have special circumstances and may need to see the dentist more often for checkups or cleanings.