Primary (deciduous) teeth begin erupting around 6 months of age and are important for a child’s overall growth and development. Early care helps prevent dental problems and establishes good oral habits.
Importance:
Primary teeth help in:
- Jaw development by stimulating normal growth
- Mastication, ensuring proper nutrition
- Speech development and correct pronunciation
- Guiding permanent teeth eruption by maintaining space
- Preventing dental caries and infections, avoiding pain and early tooth loss
Oral Care Measures:
1. Before tooth eruption
Gums should be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth to remove debris and reduce
bacterial colonization.
2. After tooth eruption
Brushing should begin using a soft infant toothbrush and a rice-sized amount
of fluoridated toothpaste, twice daily.
3. Prevention of early childhood caries
Avoid night-time bottle feeding with sugary liquids, as decreased salivary flow
during sleep increases the risk of decay.
4. Dietary practices
Healthy foods should be introduced around 6 months. Sticky and sugary foods
should be limited as they adhere to teeth and promote caries.
5. Avoid
transmission of bacteria
Parents should not share spoons or utensils, as this can transfer cariogenic
bacteria to the infant.
6. First dental visit
Recommended within 6 months of eruption of the first tooth or by 1 year of
age for examination and parental education.
Proper care of primary teeth from infancy is essential to maintain oral health, prevent disease, and ensure normal development of permanent dentition.
Your Saraswati Dental College team is here to help!
We are proud to be well-known pediatric dental experts in Saraswati Dental College and Hospital. We are here to help you and your child adjust to their new world of dentist visits in any way that we can. If you think it would be helpful to introduce your child to our team before their appointment, please let us know and we are happy to make that happen. You and your child are in great hands with our trusted team and don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. If you’re ready to schedule your child’s visit, let’s get started!
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