Caring for Baby Teeth – Kids’ Dental in Orland Park
Posted on December 23rd, 2021 | Christopher Neal
All About Baby Teeth
Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, are the temporary teeth we develop before adulthood. Many people do not think about their baby teeth as much as they do their adult teeth because baby teeth are never meant to last your whole life. Often, this can lead to poor hygiene and dental care, occasionally resulting in deep cavities and poor gum health in children. This may result in the need for extensive dental treatment down the road.
Thorough dental care is just as important for baby teeth as it is for adult teeth, when taking into account your overall oral health. If a child does not practice proper dental care from a young age, this could lead to various issues. Children are also less likely to develop healthy habits and a proper dental care regimen later in life if they do not learn how to take care of their teeth early on.
For parents who are concerned about their child’s oral health, and want to learn more about the important role baby teeth play in dental development, continue reading.
The Purpose of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth first start to emerge at around six months of age. They allow children to chew and speak properly, while also standing as placeholders for adult teeth. Baby teeth help guide permanent teeth into the correct positions as they emerge. This helps prevent them from growing in crooked or coming in too far apart from one another.
Eruption and Loss
When a child’s teeth start to erupt, the first tooth is almost always one of the lower incisors. By age two or three, your child should have all twenty of their baby teeth.
Following eruption, baby teeth will eventually loosen and fall out. Kids typically begin to lose their baby teeth at around age six or seven, and will continue to lose them up to early adolescence, usually age twelve. Once baby teeth fall out, permanent teeth should emerge to replace them within six months of each lost tooth.
Caring for Baby Teeth
By now we understand that baby teeth are important to our oral health, and therefore require the same amount of care as our permanent teeth. If baby teeth are not taken care of properly, they can suffer from decay. Proper care includes regular dental appointments and professional dental cleanings, frequent flossing, brushing twice a day, and being careful to avoid sugary foods and drinks.
Outside of oral hygiene issues, one common cause of tooth decay is baby bottles. Most parents give their infants milk or formula in baby bottles. “Baby bottle decay” occurs when children fall asleep with their bottles in their mouths while sipping on sugary drinks. To prevent baby bottle tooth decay, it is encouraged to take the bottle away while your child is sleeping, and do not use the bottles for drinks other than milk, formula, and water.
It is also important that parents know how to care for their children’s teeth. Parents should clean their infant’s teeth and gums with a soft, wet cloth or gauze until they are old enough for a toothbrush.
Then, it is wise to use a small amount of toothpaste on the brush, preferably one recommended by your dentist. Parents should continue to brush their children’s teeth until the child is old enough to learn how to do it themselves. Then, it is important for parents to supervise brushing and flossing until their child can do it properly, and ensure they are not swallowing the toothpaste or using too much.
Habits to Avoid
Things like thumb sucking and frequent pacifier use can potentially cause upper teeth to protrude, and shift other baby teeth out of their proper positions. Pacifiers and thumb sucking habits are usually only an issue if they continue past the age of five.
Chicago KiDDS – One of The Best Pediatric Dentists Near Orland Park
Keeping your children’s teeth healthy, whether permanent or primary, is vital to their overall oral and dental health. Therefore, it is important for parents to find a trusted dentist as soon as their child’s first baby tooth emerges.
If you are searching for reliable kids’ dental care in Orland Park, visit us at Chicago KiDDS Pediatric Dentistry. For professional advice on caring for your child’s baby teeth, and general dentistry for children in Orland Park, IL and the surrounding areas, our team is here for you. Schedule an appointment when you contact us online, or by calling (708) 448-6700 today.
