Understanding the Importance of Baby Teeth
- May 16th, 2024
- Childrens Dental Tips
- Jonathan Campbell
Baby teeth are most commonly found in children up until the age of around 13 years old. Many parents don’t understand that baby teeth play a vital role in the child’s life, even if they’re temporary and they fall out. Maintaining baby teeth and keeping them healthy will help impact everything from their speech and to helping their permanent teeth grow properly. In this blog, we will be discussing why baby teeth are important, explore their use cases, milestones, other common issues you may face down the road and how to maintain your child’s optimal oral health.
Baby teeth are most commonly found in children up until the age of around 13 years old. Many parents don’t understand that baby teeth play a vital role in the child’s life, even if they’re temporary and they fall out. Maintaining baby teeth and keeping them healthy will help impact everything from their speech and to helping their permanent teeth grow properly. In this blog, we will be discussing why baby teeth are important, explore their use cases, milestones, other common issues you may face down the road and how to maintain your child’s optimal oral health.
The Functions of Baby Teeth
1. Proper Chewing and Digestion: Baby teeth in children are essential for chewing food effectively to help the child be able to digest their food.
2. Maintaining Space for Permanent Teeth: Baby teeth also can serve as a placeholder for when the permanent teeth grow in. The baby teeth will guide and ensure that the permanent teeth will have proper alignment and occlusion.
Developmental Milestones of Baby Teeth
1. Eruption: Baby teeth will begin to erupt from the gums between 6 months and 3 years. The first ones to appear are the lower and upper front teeth. Shortly after the front teeth erupt, the other teeth erupt sequentially moving toward the back of the arch.
2. Shedding: As children grow, their baby teeth will become wiggly and will fall out to make room for their permanent teeth. This usually starts to happen around the age of 6 years old and will continue to early teenage years. However, it’s important to note that all children are different and these “milestones” are only a guide!
Common Issues with Baby Teeth
1. Tooth Decay
Baby teeth are particularly susceptible to cavities, especially when exposed to sugary foods and insufficient oral hygiene. Early childhood caries (ECC) are common in children who do not receive proper dental care so maintaining your child’s oral health is crucial! Neglecting your child’s oral health can lead to infections, facial swelling, and can negatively impact the development of their adult teeth.
2. Teething: When the baby’s teeth start to erupt, it can cause some discomfort for the infant and will usually result in crying. Symptoms that children may have when teething include: drooling, gum swelling, fussiness and disturbed sleep.
Tips for Maintaining Baby Teeth Health
1. Establishing Oral Hygiene Habits: Before your child’s teeth have come through their gums, it would be a great idea to wipe their gums with a washcloth. Doing this will help develop a healthy habit that your child will get used to and to keep their mouth clean! Once their teeth erupt, brushing their teeth with a baby toothbrush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste will get them started on the right foot.
2. Healthy Diet Choices: Limiting sugary snacks and drinks, can help your child prevent any decay and will promote overall oral health! Encourage your child to eat a balanced diet.
3. Regular Dental Checkups: Taking your child to the dentist early is vital to monitor that their baby teeth are developing properly and to identify any oral health issues that may arise. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, they recommend that children should visit the dentist by their first birthday.
4. Addressing Teething Discomfort: You will know when your child is feeling teething discomfort because they will probably be crying. The best way to soothe their discomfort can be done by providing them with a teething ring, chilled teething toys or gently massage their gum with a clean washcloth.
Baby teeth play a very important role in the child’s overall health and development. Understanding the importance as a parent and taking the right steps to maintain their oral health is essential for ensuring good oral hygiene for the later stages in life. By prioritizing oral health care at an early age, parents can be confident that their child will have healthy and strong teeth.
Reach Out to Our Kids-Only Dentist Today Are you searching for a friendly and experienced children’s dentist to help your child maintain a healthy smile early on? Luckily, our kid’s only office and team are always welcoming new patients with no referral necessary. To book an appointment, call SmileTown – Just Kid’s Dentistry at (226) 773-1663, or contact us here.