Why Are Baby Teeth Important?
Baby teeth are essential for your child's health and development. They assist him or her in chewing, speaking, and smiling. They also make room in the jaws for permanent teeth that are developing beneath the gums. When a baby tooth is lost too soon, the permanent teeth may drift into the empty space, making it difficult for other adult teeth to come in. This can result in crooked or crowded teeth. As a result, starting infants with good oral hygiene can help protect their teeth for decades.
When Should I Take My Child to See a Dentist?
No, later than the first birthday after the first tooth appears. A dental visit at a young age is similar to a "well-baby checkup" for the teeth. Aside from checking for cavities and other problems, the dentist can show you how to properly clean your child's teeth and how to deal with habits like thumb sucking.
How to Maintain Your Child's Teeth
It is critical to begin caring for your baby's teeth as soon as possible. Here's what you should do:
Begin cleaning your baby's mouth with a clean, moist gauze pad or washcloth during the first few days after birth. Decay can occur as soon as teeth appear. The front four teeth of a baby usually emerge from the gums around 6 months of age, though some children do not have their first tooth until 12 or 14 months.
For children under the age of three, begin brushing their teeth as soon as they appear in the mouth, using fluoride toothpaste in a smear the size of a grain of rice. Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day (morning and night), or as directed by your dentist or doctor. Supervise children's brushing to ensure that the proper amount of toothpaste is used.
Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on children aged 3 to 6. Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day (morning and night), or as directed by your dentist or doctor. Supervise children while they brush their teeth and remind them not to swallow the toothpaste.
Brush your child's teeth twice a day with a child-size toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste until you're confident that he or she can brush on his or her own. When your child's teeth come into contact, you should start cleaning between them on a daily basis.