Children teeth goes through a lot of growth in a short time and hence it is the duty of parents to look after their health but unfortunately when Information is seeked online, it gets mixed up in a lot of fuss and hence, I have separated the myths and facts for children teeth.
Below are some of the myths about children’s teeth
Myths about children’s teeth
- Baby teeth or milk teeth don’t matter because “they are going to fall away anyway”so whats the need to save them.
- Baby teeth aren’t important.they do not serve any purpose in mouth.
- There is no need to treat milk teeth cavities.
- Brushing is not important for milk teeth.
- There is no need to take children to their regular dental visits.
- There is no need for oral prophylaxis in children.
Facts are
Now, the actual facts destroying the myths above are
- Children’s first milk teeth are extremely important because of following reasons
- apart from being needed for chewing and speaking they need help to maintain space for the permanent teeth developing underneath them in the jaws
- If the milk teeth are well looked after, then it is more likely that the second permanent it will grow into their correct position
- Did you know that babies in utero have about 20 teeth already developing
- Children teeth begin forming before birth as early as four but usually at 6 to 7 months
- the first milk teeth to erupt are the lower central incisors, followed closely by the upper central incisors although 20 milk teeth usually appear by age three .the pace and order of their eruption varies
- The first permanent teeth is usually one of four six year molars so named because they appear around six years of age
FAQ
When should I start caring for my child’s teeth
Newly good dental health is established early in life, oral care should begin soon after the baby’s birth gums should be cleaned after each feeding you can begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they appear using a super soft toothbrush.
When should I take my child to see the dentist
I believe, your child’s first dental visit should be by the 1st birthday your dentist will check for Decay and other problems
and will also teach you how to clean your Childs teeth and identify your Childs fluorides needs but starting dental visits early you will help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits
Is teething painful?
Yes, when babies are teething they often have sore and tender gums the pain usually can be soothed by gently rubbing the babies with a clean finger, a small cold cotton or a wet gauge piece
Can babies get cavities
Yes even though they will eventually fall out, milk teeth can get cavities and may need to be treated as soon as it appeared.
one serious form of teeth decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay
babies should not fall asleep with bottles in their mouths
the sugar in juices or milk formulas can cause tooth decay leading to cavities dental discomfort and even tooth loss
plain water is usually the best
When should thumb sucking stop?
Sucking is a natural behavior for babies many infants begin sucking their thumbs or using pacifiers within three months of birth neither habit generally poses a dental problem if it is discontinued before the child’s first permanent teeth erupt
How can the dentist protect your child’s teeth
As a child’s permanent teeth erupt the dentist can prevent cavities from forming with the help of sealants and fluoride treatments.
sealants are a safe painless and low-cost way to help protect your child’s teeth from decay
the sealant is bonded to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars and thus prevents these teeth from decay
fluoride application is a single sitting procedure done once every six months to make the tooth structure stronger and prevent cavities
What are space maintainers
a milk tooth usually stays in until a permanent tooth underneath pushes it out and takes its place
unfortunately some children lose a milk tooth too soon
if this happens the teeth beside it may move into the empty space resulting in lack of space for the permanent teeth leading to crowding
this can be prevented by use of space maintainers. it is more affordable and easier on the child to keep space in normal position with the space maintainer than to move them back in place with orthodontic treatment
Dental health tips with your help your child can have a lifetime of healthy smiles
- A balanced diet is important for healthy teeth and gums children specially need calcium to help build strong teeth
- Discourage sugary or starchy snacks
- Snack in moderation and include beverages to wash the mouth of food particles
- Set regular snack times to avoid constant exposure to cavity causing foods
- Seek early dental care for your young ones begin oral hygiene when an infant’s first tooth emerges
- Encourage good oral health and hygiene habits early have youngsters brush frequently with fluoride toothpastes
- Teaching your child to maintain good habits is the beginning of good dental health proper personal care and regular visits to dentist can keep dental problems to minimum
- Wouldn’t you want a healthy smile for your child
- Talk to your dentist about regular floride gel applications and sealants.