Why take care of your child's baby teeth?

Why take care of your child's baby teeth?

The care of children's milk teeth is essential. Not only for proper chewing function during the first years of life, but also for the proper development of the permanent dentition.

One of the most common mistakes among parents is to neglect their children's oral health. However, it is essential to maintain daily oral hygiene guidelines, even before the eruption of the first tooth. In addition, milk teeth perform other essential functions, such as maintaining the space for the permanent teeth.

Similarly, although the initial teeth eventually fall out, the possible oral complications related to them must also be taken into account. At our dental clinic in Salou, we advocate oral health education for parents and children. Therefore, in this article we tell you about the importance and how to take care of the teeth of the youngest members of the family.

Why are baby teeth important?

This temporary dentition remains in the oral cavity of children, generally for six to ten years. For this reason, it is a priority to take care of it and follow proper hygiene habits. In addition, it is recommended that the youngest children have their first visit to the paediatric dentist during the first six months of life. At this check-up, the dentist can determine if there is any dental problem and propose the appropriate measures if necessary.

Thus, the most important reasons to carry out comprehensive care of children's dentition are:

• Maintains and guards the space of the permanent teeth. Premature tooth loss, whether due to trauma or conditions such as caries, can lead to the displacement of adjacent teeth.
• It favours the proper development of the maxillofacial structures, at bone and muscle level.
• Their roots are reabsorbed by the body and reused to complete the mineralisation process of the adult dentition.
• It is a key element in the digestive process, as a primary dentition in good condition allows for proper chewing and grinding of food.
• It prevents the development of caries and thus prevents possible damage to the pulp that could end up damaging the permanent teeth.

Tips for maintaining a healthy primary dentition

Caries is, according to the Spanish Society of Paediatric Dentistry, the most frequent chronic disease in childhood. According to its Protocol for the diagnosis, prognosis and prevention of early childhood cariesAccording to the Spanish Society of Paediatric Dentistry, this pathology has serious repercussions on children's general health. Furthermore, "a child with caries in primary teeth will probably be an adult with multiple cavities and restorations in the permanent dentition".

Therefore, from our dental clinic in Salou, we offer you some tips that you shouldtake into account:

• Clean your newborn's gums with a wet gauze pad at least once a day.
• Brush their teeth from the eruption of the first tooth at least twice a day.
• For children between 0 and 3 years of age, it is important to use a toothbrush adapted to the size of their mouth. Also, the amount of toothpaste should not exceed the size of a grain of rice. Once the first primary molars have appeared, floss the areas of contact between them.
• From the age of3 years, the dose of toothpaste should be the equivalent of one pea.
• Until approximately 8 years of age, an adult should brush the child's oral cavity. From then on, it is recommended to supervise night-time brushing until adolescence.

Remember, moreover, that it is essential for children to have regular visits with their dentist to detect possible anomalies in their mouth in time. Make an appointment at Clínica Dental Drs. Moreno-Montalvo, your children's oral and general health is the most important thing for us!