4 Things You Should Know About Your Child’s Baby Teeth
It is a common misconception that, because your child’s baby teeth will eventually fall out, they do not need to be taken care of. You may be surprised to learn that the exact opposite is true. Your child’s baby teeth are a critical component in their oral health and development. To make sure you’re taking good care of your child’s oral health, check out these four important facts about baby teeth.
1. You can begin cleaning your child’s teeth and gums at a very young age.
You can start taking care of your child’s dental hygiene as early as the first few days after birth. Simply take a moist gauze pad or washcloth and wipe down the surface of their gums. Remember that tooth decay can occur as soon as your child’s teeth erupt from the gums, so you’ll want to begin cleaning them straight away.
2. It is important to monitor the amount of toothpaste your child uses.
When your child is younger than 3 years old, you can brush their newly-emerging teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Just be certain to keep the smear of toothpaste no larger than a grain of rice at this time. When a child is between the ages of 3 and 6, you can assist your child in brushing their teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste twice per day. Remind them that they should not swallow the toothpaste, and continue to brush their teeth for them until you’re confident that they will remember to spit it out on their own.
3. Your child’s baby teeth play an important role in their development.
There are a number of reasons you’ll want to take good care of your child’s baby teeth. Firstly, they play an important role in speech development and chewing mechanisms. They also impact the future of their permanent teeth, which follow the path made by primary teeth when they grow in. Finally, dental decay can occur in baby teeth as it would in adult teeth, causing pain, infection, and even disease. Therefore, you’ll want to ensure your child’s primary teeth are in good condition to ensure they stay in good oral health throughout their life.
4. You should schedule your child’s first dental appointment by their first birthday.
In order to prevent decay or other oral health issues, it is recommended that you bring your child to their first appointment within six months of their first tooth appearing. Whether or not their first tooth has erupted through the gums, though, they should see the dentist by their first birthday. This will allow you to ensure that no pediatric dental problems have cropped up, and will help you to get your child off to a good start with their oral health.
Do you want to ensure your child’s baby teeth are in good condition? At Hinsdale Dental, your child’s oral health is our top priority. To schedule their first appointment, contact our office in Hinsdale, IL today!
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