Your child has the most adorable smile in the whole wide world. To keep it that way, you have to make sure their teeth and gums stay clean. If their baby teeth are going to fall out anyway, should you really bother taking care of their primary teeth? As it turns out, yes. Your little one’s baby teeth are crucial to the health of their adult teeth. Let’s take a closer look at why taking care of baby teeth matters.
When Do Baby Teeth Start Coming In?
When your baby is born, all of their primary teeth are already present in the jaw. They will typically start erupting between the ages of six months and a year. Every kid is different, but more often than not, the first teeth to show up will be at the front of their mouth. Most of the time, all 20 of their baby teeth will have erupted by the age of 3. If not, take your little one to see their pediatric dentist or physician.
Why Does Taking Care of Baby Teeth Matter?
If your child’s primary teeth are going to fall out anyway, should you even bother taking care of them? Yes, you should. Baby teeth are very important to your little one’s budding smile. They help him or her chew and speak.
Additionally, they reserve space in your son or daughter’s grin for their permanent teeth that are developing beneath their gums. If a primary tooth is lost too soon, the underlying adult teeth may drift into the space, making it difficult for other permanent teeth to grow in correctly. Your child’s teeth may become misaligned or overcrowded, resulting in an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. That’s why it’s important to take care of your little one’s teeth throughout their life.
How Can You Care for Your Child’s Teeth?
Before your baby’s teeth even start erupting, clean their gums with a moist gauze pad or washcloth to prevent bacterial buildup. As soon as teeth start growing in, you can brush with a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Until your child is at least 3 years of age, use only a small smear of toothpaste, no bigger than a grain of rice.
From ages 3-6, use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Be sure to brush every morning and night as directed by your child’s dentist or physician. Watch them while they brush to be sure they don’t swallow any toothpaste. Make sure to also teach them how to floss. They should be cleaning between their teeth as soon as they have two teeth that touch.
Taking care of your child’s baby teeth is still crucial, even if they’re going to fall out someday. Follow the steps listed above to make sure their smile stays adorable and healthy.
About the Practice
At Miller & Wolf Family Dentistry, we offer a variety of comprehensive services under one roof. We treat patients of all ages, so your little one can grow up with us and feel comfortable. Our skilled dental team can treat your little one’s smile as soon as it starts developing. To book your child’s first dental appointment, contact us on our website or at (434) 324-8241.