Importance of Baby Teeth
By Dr. Stephanie DeFilippo
Many people underestimate the importance of their children’s primary teeth, to the extent that they don’t brush or treat the teeth when problems arise. I have heard “they are only baby teeth” and “they will fall out” too many times to count. In reality, these teeth need as much care and attention as permanent teeth.
Baby teeth start to form in early pregnancy. This is yet another reason to be healthy during pregnancy. Moms should start out by taking good care of their own teeth by having optimal homecare and getting a cleaning and exam every six months. After a baby is born, the first tooth generally erupts around 6 months. As these first teeth come in, they should be kept clean because they are susceptible to decay. “Baby bottle cavities” are real and happen more than they should. After nursing or bottle-feeding, a finger brush, toothbrush, or washcloth can be used to keep baby’s new teeth clean. If you start a child out brushing early, they understand the importance as they grow older. Some children don’t allow brushing and may make it very difficult to keep their teeth clean. I tell all of the parents who visit the office that brushing is a battle that they need to fight and win. If not, cavities on baby teeth can quickly lead to pain and infection for your little ones.
Parents need to find a dental home for their children by the time they meet their first birthday. This is important so your dentist can do an exam for any early decay, talk about healthy habits, and provide education about daily homecare and diet.
Should your child get a cavity in their baby teeth, the dentist will take into consideration how much longer the tooth will be in the mouth, as well as the size of the cavity. Your child will lose their front four top and bottom teeth around the age of seven, but the back baby teeth won’t be lost until around ages 10 to 13. So, a child who is seven with a cavity on a back tooth should have it treated. Cavities don’t get smaller, or stay the same. They only grow larger and become more of a problem with potential pain.
Baby teeth function to allow your child to eat, smile, and talk. If lost or decayed, these functions can be hindered for your child. Also, the baby teeth help hold the space for your child’s permanent teeth. This is important for further space maintenance. This is why it is important to see your dental professional to work on prevention. This includes helping your child brush and floss every morning and night and getting cleanings every six months with professionally applied fluoride. You may think that children can brush on their own, but most of the time they need some help keeping all of the tooth surfaces clean.
As always, your local pediatric dentist can answer any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!
Stephanie DeFilippo, DDS is co-owner of Just Kids at Gettysburg Dental Associates and a board certified pediatric dentist.
Gettysburg Dental Associates
Eric Seidel, DMD | Cleveland Null, DDS
www.GettysburgDentalAssociates.com
Just Kids at Gettysburg Dental Associates
Stephanie DeFilippo, DDS | Kristin Russo, DMD
www.JustKidsGettysburg.com
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: (717) 334-8193
Fax: (717) 334-0884
www.gettysburgfamilysmiles.com
The habit: Brushing for two minutes twice a day is one of the best habits you can get into. Just make sure you’re not trying too hard. “Brushing with a hard toothbrush, or brushing too hard, can damage teeth and irritate gums,” says Dr. Matthew Messina.
