Primary teeth are your child’s first set of teeth that may begin to erupt around 6 to 7 months of age. It is crucial to understand the fact that these teeth are equally important even though they may shed off. They eventually exfoliate to give way to permanent teeth.
Regular dental visits with the dentist in Dacula, GA plays a vital role in maintaining the health of the primary teeth in children and teenagers. Let us explore their importance.
| Primary teeth, also known as baby or milk teeth, begin to develop beneath the gums during the second trimester of pregnancy. Teeth begin to erupt above the gums approximately 6 to 9 months after birth. Typically children get a set of 20 baby teeth by the time they begin preschool. |
Exploring the key functions of primary teeth
The major functions of primary teeth are described below:
- Proper alignment of primary teeth helps in improved speech and phonetics.
- Healthy primary teeth promote good chewing habits and facilitate nutritious eating
- Children with healthy and aesthetically pleasing teeth and gums help build a sense of confidence in them and offer positive social interactions
- They act as placeholders for adult or permanent teeth to erupt
- They impart a healthy, beautifully aligned, and symmetrical smile that boosts confidence in children
Unraveling the importance of primary teeth
The health and care of your child’s primary teeth is significant for many 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, and damage them.
- 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.
Tips to care 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 milk bottles 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. Caring for them can give you beautifully erupted healthy permanent teeth.
