The Importance of Baby Teeth and How to Take Proper Care of Them

You should begin taking care of your infant's teeth as soon as they begin to make an appearance. While it is true that their first set of teeth aren't permanent, these teeth still play an important role in your child's life. You want to do all you can to ensure they come in healthy and stay healthy until they naturally fall out. This article will help you understand the importance of your child's first set of teeth and explain how you can take proper care of them from the start.

The importance of baby teeth

Your child's baby teeth act as a pathway for their adult teeth to come in. They also act as space savers so the permanent teeth have a clear path through the gums when they are ready to come in. Healthy baby teeth can lead to healthy adult teeth. This is due to the fact that decaying baby teeth can cause the permanent teeth to become affected from the decay. Also, if baby teeth decay and fall out early, it can affect the way the permanent teeth grow in.

Baby teeth that suffer cavities and decay will also affect the health and well-being of your child. Teeth problems in the baby teeth can lead to pain, inflammation, and other issues. If a tooth becomes infected, the infection can even spread and affect their health adversely. Teaching your child how to care for their baby teeth also ensures they are going to continue good dental habits once they get their permanent teeth.

How to care for baby teeth

As soon as your child starts teething, you should begin taking care of their teeth even though you can't yet see them. You should take a slightly moist piece of gauze and use it to gently rub your baby's gums after they eat. Once you can see their teeth, begin brushing them with a small toothbrush and baby approved toothpaste.

Always give your baby their bottle in the sitting up position so the fluid doesn't pool around their gums or teeth. Try to avoid giving your baby juice for as long as possible. When you do, consider adding half water to the juice to dilute it.

Now that you have a better understanding of baby teeth and know how to care for them properly, you will have a better chance of helping your child develop strong and healthy teeth. For more information, talk to a dentist.