Thinking that taking care of your child’s baby teeth is not as important as taking care of their permanent teeth? While this is a common misconception many parents have, it is just not factual. Both sets of our teeth play a vital role when it comes to our healthy tooth development and understanding this is going to help you when it comes to taking care of your child’s first set of teeth.
According to the American Dental Association, while a dental visit for a well-baby check-up can check for cavities and other dental problems, this is also a time for the dentist to show parents how to clean their child’s teeth properly, as well as how to handle habits like thumb sucking.
These first set of teeth typically begin to appear when a baby is between the ages of six months and one year. It is very common for a baby to experience some soreness and tenderness in their gums when their teeth begin to grow in, which can often be soothed by giving them a cold or frozen pacifier to gnaw on.
Baby teeth are critical! While some people believe that these first set of teeth are not very important because they are going to fall out eventually, they play a vital role. These first teeth allow a baby to chew their food, speak, and smile properly. They also act as a placeholder for the permanent teeth that will be starting to come in when they are about six or seven years of age. This means if a baby were to lose one of their teeth too soon, it could create problems when their permanent teeth begin to grow in because there is no longer a baby tooth there for the permanent tooth to follow.
When this happens, it is highly likely that the permanent teeth are going to grow in crooked. When teeth begin to grow in crooked, it can quickly lead to their being diagnosed with a "crowded" mouth. Crooked teeth and a crowded mouth both do not support a healthy mouth, making it necessary for parents to make sure that their child’s baby teeth are correctly taken care of.
If you have any questions about baby teeth and their importance, we invite you to call us so we can provide you with answers. It is vital for you to take great care of your child’s first initial set of teeth, as this is an essential part of their permanent teeth being able to grow in properly.
Call (832) 579-0960 today to reach Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental.
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