The Importance Of Caring For Baby Teeth
Baby teeth, also called primary teeth or milk teeth, are the first teeth a child gets after being born. These teeth eventually fall out and are replaced with permanent teeth, and because of this, many people do not think that caring for baby teeth is really that important. If you have a child, you should realize that caring for baby teeth is important. In fact, it is very important, and here are a few things to know about the importance of taking care of your child's baby teeth.
Some baby teeth will not fall out for many years.
The baby teeth a child has will eventually fall out; however, this will not start happening until the child is around the age of five or six. From there, it will often take until a child is in his or her teens before losing all the baby teeth in his or her mouth. Because many of these teeth must last more than 10 years, taking care of them is important.
Decay on baby teeth can spread to permanent teeth.
Secondly, the baby teeth your child has will have permanent teeth underneath them. While they may not be there when the child is born, they will soon begin forming under the child's gums. If there is decay on a baby tooth that is not treated, the decay can continue eating away at a tooth and can make its way into the permanent tooth. If this happens, the child could have cavities on his or her permanent teeth from the first day they come through the gums. Starting out with cavities on permanent teeth is never a good thing, as these teeth will need to last the child for the rest of his or her life.
Wiping a child's teeth off is the best cleaning method for infants.
If you want to ensure that your child has healthy teeth, the best thing you can do is begin cleaning them as soon as they begin coming through the gums. To do this, take a clean, warm cloth and wipe over the gums and teeth after you feed your baby. As the child gets a little older, you can use a small toothbrush with warm water to clean the teeth and gums. By doing this daily, you can reduce the risks of decay forming on your child's teeth.
Preventing problems with baby teeth can help a child have stronger and healthier permanent teeth. To learn more, visit a children's dentist in your city.