SERVICES - Caring for baby teeth

Caring For Primary (Baby) Teeth

It's important that your child's primary teeth remain healthy until they fall out naturally, because they serve a number of important purposes. First, they help maintain good nutrition for children by enabling them to chew properly and thoroughly. Secondly, they help children develop good, clear speech. Third, they help ensure that permanent teeth come in properly by holding a place for them. Finally, teeth and a child's smile play an important role in creating confidence and promoting self-esteem.

Baby teeth are more susceptible to decay than their adult counterparts, because the outer layer,the enamel, is much thinner. For the same reason, decay spreads more rapidly through baby teeth, so it can quickly work its way through the tooth's surface and into the central pulp chamber (nerve). This can be extremely painful for your child, and can result in the loss of the tooth, as well.

Keeping your child's teeth healthy?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the following strategies:

• Clean a baby's gums, and then the erupting teeth, with a damp cloth after feedings.
• After your baby is used to having teeth cleaned, introduce a soft, child-sized brush. Don't use any toothpaste until your child is two years old. Just brush with water.
• Children should be brought to our office for a healthy teeth checkup no later than their third birthday, then every six months thereafter.
• Encourage toddlers to brush their teeth at least twice a day ? after breakfast and before bedtime.
• Floss your child's teeth as soon as they come in, paying particular attention to the areas where teeth are touching each other.
• Introduce toothpaste slowly; just a pea-sized dab is all you need.
• Wean your child from the bottle or breast between twelve and eighteen months of age.
• Use only positive terms for dental checkups; if you are fearful or anxious about trips to the dentist, you can pass this along to your child.
• Never put your child to bed with a bottle of milk, juice or formula. A bottle taken to bed should contain water only.
• Don't get your child to take a pacifier by dipping it in honey or sugar.
• Limit how frequently your child has sweets or food that sticks to teeth, such as crackers or bread.