What’s the big deal about baby teeth? Don’t they eventually fall out anyway? Here are answers to common “teething” questions.
What’s the big deal about baby teeth? Don’t they eventually fall out anyway? Here are answers to common “teething” questions.
Did you know that your child will have baby teeth until the age of 11? Baby teeth will start to erupt when your little one is around six months old, and by the age of three, she should have a complete set of primary teeth.
During this time, baby teeth serve important functions in her life. Paediatric dentist Badrun Nafis of Thomson Specialist Dentistry answers some of your common questions, so that you can help your tot maintain a bright and healthy smile.
WHY SHOULD WE GIVE CARE AND ATTENTION TO BABY TEETH?
What if your child is unable to chew food because of missing, broken, or even painful teeth?
Baby teeth are important to your child’s development. They help her to chew properly, play a crucial role in speech development, and guide permanent teeth into their proper positions. Plus, they add to a favourable aesthetic appearance, which can help boost your child’s confidence and social development.
BABY TEETH WILL EVENTUALLY FALL OUT ANYWAY – SO WHY BRUSH THEM?
Baby teeth are prone to tooth decay. Up to 50 percent of the local preschooler population suffer from a special type of tooth decay called early childhood caries. If left untreated, tooth decay will cause pain, infection, swelling and even fever, resulting in crying, sleepless nights, and desperate trips to the dental clinic. The good news is that this is preventable.
HOW CAN I PREVENT TOOTH DECAY IN MY CHILD?
Good oral hygiene and healthy dietary practices are important in preventing tooth decay. Before the teeth erupt, clean your baby’s mouth and gums with a soft cloth or infant toothbrush during bath time. As soon as the first tooth erupts, it is recommended that you clean it with an age-appropriate toothbrush twice a day. You should brush for your young one daily, until she is six or seven years old. Flossing is recommended when two baby teeth next to each other are in contact. Fluoridated toothpaste is to be used during brushing. The type of toothpaste and method of brushing can be advised by your paediatric dentist.
A healthy diet includes limiting liquid intake to only milk or water, and weaning off the milk bottle by age 12 to 14 months. Healthy snacking of fruits, dairy products and nuts are recommended over sweet drinks and confectionery.
WHEN SHOULD WE BRING HER TO A DENTIST?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend a dental visit for children by age one. Visiting a paediatric dentist by the time the first baby tooth appears encourages the child and parents to begin a lifelong, preventive dental care programme to minimise tooth decay and cavities. The dentist will typically do a thorough examination, provide parents with information on proper oral and facial development, determine fluoride needs, and more.
