What Parents Need to Know About Baby Teeth

Primary teeth are often referred to as baby teeth. It’s vital to keep great care of these teeth to ensure your child’s growth and overall health. Even though baby teeth are temporary, taking proper care of them is essential for reasons we will delve into later in this blog. Learning about the role of baby teeth and how to maintain their health can help your child build the best oral health foundation for a lifetime of a healthy smile.

Why Baby Teeth Matter

  1. Guiding Adult Teeth: Baby teeth serve as placeholders, ensuring that permanent teeth will grow in the right positions with proper alignment and spacing.
  2. Speech Development: These baby teeth are crucial for helping children form sounds and words as they develop their speech skills and practice their annunciation. 
  3. Chewing and Nutrition: Healthy baby teeth will allow kids to chew properly, promoting good digestion and balanced nutrition.
  4. Facial Structure Support: Baby teeth assist in the development of the jaw and facial structure, contributing to overall growth and appearance, especially when they grow into adults.

Timeline for Baby Teeth Eruption and Shedding

  • First Tooth Eruption: Most infants start teething around 6 months of age, although this can vary. The lower central incisors (the front teeth) are typically the first to appear.
  • Full Set: By the age of three, most children will have all 20 primary teeth.
  • Losing Baby Teeth: The process of losing baby teeth usually starts around age 6 and continues until about age 12 or 13 as permanent teeth emerge.

Common Concerns and Prevention Tips

  1. Teething Discomfort: Teething can make babies fussy, cause drooling, crying due to their irritated gums. A teething ring, a wet towel or a gentle gum massage can provide relief.
  2. Tooth Decay (Baby Bottle Decay): Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, as prolonged exposure to sugary liquids can lead to cavities. If you do bottle or breast feed them before bed, be sure to wipe their teeth with a damp cloth to help remove the excess milk that may be sitting on their teeth.
  3. Thumb Sucking: While normal for babies, prolonged thumb-sucking past age 4 may impact teeth alignment, causing a dental malocclusion. Offer alternative comfort measures if the habit persists.

 

Caring for Baby Teeth

  1. Start Early: Begin cleaning your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth once their teeth erupt. Get your baby used to this and once they are more comfortable, use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  2. Use Fluoride: Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent decay. Check with your dentist at SmileTown: Just Kid’s Dentistry to ensure your child is getting enough fluoride, either through water or supplements.
  3. Build a Routine: Brush your child’s teeth twice daily and introduce flossing as soon as two teeth touch, which will be usually their front teeth.
  4. First Dental Visit: Schedule their first dental appointment by their first birthday or when their first tooth comes in. Early visits at SmileTown: Just Kid’s Dentistry will allow for monitoring and prevention of potential issues.

Making Dental Care Fun

  • Use Fun Tools: Choose brightly coloured toothbrushes or ones with your child’s favourite characters, and play music to make brushing enjoyable.
  • Be a Role Model: Brush and floss alongside your child to encourage healthy habits.
  • Positive Reinforcement: Create a sticker chart or give small rewards to celebrate good brushing and flossing routines.

If you’re needing more information about your child’s baby teeth, Seek advice from our dentists at SmileTown: Just Kid’s Dentistry! Especially if your child has severe teething pain, delays in tooth eruption, or signs of decay, such as discoloration or small holes.

While baby teeth are temporary, their impact is significant. By prioritizing early oral care, you’re setting the stage for healthy, strong permanent teeth and a bright, confident smile that lasts a lifetime.

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.