You’ve likely witnessed the adorable sight of your six-month-old baby sporting their first tiny pearly whites. These initial teeth, known as primary or baby teeth, start to emerge around the age of 6 to 7 months. However, the notion that “They are just baby teeth and hold no significance!” is nothing but a myth!
Pediatric experts and a dentist in Wilmington, DE, stress the importance of primary teeth and strive to educate parents about their significance. Let’s delve into why primary teeth matter!
A comprehensive guide to primary teeth
Primary teeth, also referred to as baby or milk teeth, commence their development beneath the gums during the second trimester of pregnancy. Around 6 to 9 months after birth, these teeth start to emerge above the gums. By the time children reach preschool age, they typically have a complete set of 20 baby teeth.
The major functions of primary teeth are described below:
- Proper alignment of primary teeth helps in proper speech and phonetics.
- Healthy primary teeth promote good chewing habits and facilitate nutritious eating
- Children with healthy and pleasing teeth and gums help build a sense of confidence in them and offer positive social interactions
- They hold an appropriate space for adult or permanent teeth to erupt
- They act as natural placeholders for permanent teeth
- They impart a healthy, beautifully aligned, and symmetrical smile
The importance of primary teeth
- The health and care of your child’s primary teeth is significant for several reasons. Taking care of primary teeth can pave the way for healthy and strong permanent dentition.
- Any damage or decay to the primary teeth can compromise oral health, form, and aesthetics. This can lead to poor nutrition and a lack of self-esteem. Furthermore, the infection can spread to the underlying permanent tooth buds damaging them as well.
- Extensive tooth decay and gum disease in primary teeth can result in tooth loss, which can hamper the natural space maintained by them for the permanent teeth to erupt in a correct alignment.
Caring for your child’s primary teeth
As a parent, you must ensure to care for your child’s baby teeth in the following ways:
- Clean your child’s gums from 3 months of age by rubbing them with moist cotton or gauze
- Avoid giving the bottle at night for longer periods
- Avoid giving your child sugar at least for 1 year after birth
- Brush the teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush when their primary teeth erupt
- Use fluoride toothpastes
- Take them to the dentist at least once in 6 months
Your child’s primary teeth are the cornerstone for the eruption of their permanent teeth in a proper alignment.