 | The primary teeth should be given the best of care because they were designed by nature
to assist in chewing food, contribute to facial development and expression, preserve the space for
incoming permanent teeth and help in better speech habits.
However if the defective tooth cannot be treated and filled properly, it should be extracted.
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"Primary teeth" also known as "milk teeth" or "baby teeth" are the first set of teeth in the mouth. |
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The first primary tooth usually erupts around 6 months after birth. |
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The primary teeth function until the child is 12 years old. |
| Importance of Primary teeth |
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A question that parents usually ask is - Milk teeth will fall off anyway and be replaced by adult tooth,
so why take care of it or treat it in case of any decay
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But the truth is that primary teeth are far more important to your child’s future dental health than you may
imagine and it is very important that they are kept until they are lost naturally.
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Scientific evidence shows that children with decayed milk teeth would most likely have decay in their
permanent teeth.
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They help the child to chew properly, maintaining good nutrition.
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They help the child speak well and are important for good pronunciation.
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They help the child speak well and are important for good pronunciation. |
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Milk teeth establish spaces in the jaw needed for adult teeth later on. So if milk teeth are extracted or are not attended to, it may lead to
a loss of space for adult teeth, which can lead to serious dental problems.
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Above all, primary teeth help your child feel good about the way he/she looks to others. |
How To Prevent tooth decay in children |
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Brush your child’s teeth twice daily, once in the morning and once before going to bed
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Never allow an infant or your young child to go to sleep drinking a bottle of juice, milk or formula
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Reduce the consumption and frequency of sugar and sugary foods |
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Encourage your child to eat fruits, raw vegetables and non sweetened yoghurt |
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Give your child foods high in calcium and casein such as milk, cheese, broccoli and orange juice
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Choice of Toothpaste |
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Any children’s toothpaste containing fluoride is good for brushing your child’s teeth. |
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But if an adult toothpaste containing fluoride is used, make sure that only a pea-sized quantity is
used. |
How To Brush The Teeth |
- Place the bristles of your toothbrush at the margin of the gums, establishing a 45 degree angle.
- Using gentle vibratory pressure and short back-and-forth motions without dislodging the tip of the bristles
make about 20 strokes in the same position.
- Do the same thing around the arch, brushing around three teeth at a time.
- Now, move onto the inner surfaces of the teeth. To help reach the inner surfaces of the front teeth,
insert the brush vertically.
- Press the bristles firmly onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth and brush with about 20 back-and-forth strokes.
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