Your baby’s toothless smile is one of the most adorable things you will ever see and has the ability to win yours and possibly millions of other hearts.
But, have you ever given a thought to the baby’s teeth? Though the primary teeth eventually fall out, they play a very crucial role in your child’s physical development. These teeth not only beautify your child’s smile but also help him or her in chewing and speaking.
Primary or temporary teeth make the jawline strong and hold spaces for the growth of permanent teeth. Dentists ask parents to take a good care of their child’s oral health because early loss of primary teeth can make permanent ones crowded and crooked. Temporary teeth fulfil many other purposes like:
- Help in chewing and thus promote good nutrition and health: Chewing is one of the most important steps in the digestion of food. It reduces food particles into small digestible pieces. Tooth loss or late growth of teeth can cause complications in digestion and ultimately lead to poor nutrition.
- Develop child’s speech: Development of speech is tough without teeth, particularly the front ones. Healthy, properly aligned teeth that are well-spaced, make speaking easier and clear. Children with misaligned teeth speak unclearly and that might trouble them throughout their life.
- Beautify the smile: The baby’s smile is a matter of great attention as it greatly boosts the baby’s self-esteem.
- Help permeant teeth to erupt from the right space and grow properly: Temporary teeth act as space-holder for permanent teeth. They ensure that the adult teeth emerge from the right position and in the right manner. When a baby tooth doesn’t grow, nearby teeth slant into the gap and keep less room for the adult ones to grow.
Just like permanent teeth, temporary or primary teeth too can get cavities. With improper dental care and intake of junk foods, children too can develop dental infections and tooth decay, also known as “Baby bottle Tooth Decay”.
Dental problems at an early age can create some major dental issues as they can transmit the infection to the adult teeth too.
Tooth decaying in children is painful that follows extraction by dental professionals. Untreated teeth might also amplify different orthodontic problems even after the eruption of permanent teeth. As a guardian, it’s your duty to develop healthy oral habits of brushing and flossing, in your child. Healthy habits keep all the major oral problems at bay and make the dental visits easy and painless.
At birth, babies have a set of 20 teeth present in their jaws. These primary or baby teeth start to appear when they are of 6 months to 1year and most of them have a full set of teeth by the time they turn 3. With the initiation of the teeth, babies also develop tender gums that can be treated gently using a wet gauze pad and a clean finger. You can also consult Dr. Cormac Farrell if the child is suffering from severe dental pain.
Start taking care of your baby’s mouth from the very first year, even before the tooth emerges. As said before, clean his mouth with a wet pad and a clean finger regularly. These small precautions can not only prevent “baby bottle rot” but also other oral health issues. Here are a few tips that you can follow to keep your child’s smile healthy and beautiful.
- A bottle of milk or juice makes the bedtime routine of your child easier. But, do you know, milk or juice contains sugar and its continuous consumption might rot its teeth eventually? Sugar coating is the breeding ground of bacteria that elevate tooth decay and gum infections. To counter it, change the habit of continuous sugar consumption and replace milk or juice with water. Restrict the amount of artificial or sugary drinks your child consumes. Encourage healthy eating and drinking habits to promote a good oral health.
- As your toddler grows, make them drink from a glass or cup. Though they will experience hurdles in the beginning, it will become easier with gradual practice.
- Clean your baby’s mouth after each meal. Rubbing off the excess food is also very crucial to reduce the chances of tooth decay.
- Another good habit that promotes healthy smile of your child is cleaning of the bottle. While purchasing a bottle, ensure that it is free of Bisphenol A (BPA). It is an element that might restrict proper development of the teeth of your child. Sterilizing your baby’s bottle plays an important role too. Either boil the bottle in water or microwave it with a steam sterilizer to kill the bacteria and check baby bottle tooth decay. Sterilize your child’s bottle twice or thrice a week as it stops further build-up of bacteria.
- As you all know teeth are crucial for eating, chewing and speaking. So, as soon your child’s teeth develop, start the brushing routine which will help prevent early childhood tooth decay. Pick a gentle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for your kid to clean his/her teeth effectively. The practice will also protect their tooth enamel from cavities and let your kid smile adorably.
Pay a visit to a paediatric dentist before the baby turns 1. Budding teeth are important for its lifetime. Proper care and good oral habits will bestow your child with a healthy smile even in his adulthood. Remember, being a parent, it is your responsibility to keep the child in good health.
Book an appointment today with Airlie Smile Care today at 0749467600 to provide your child with a quality dental care.
