Baby teeth stay with a child for a relatively short time. Also known as milk teeth because they emerge when babies are still on a milk diet, the teeth typically begin to fall out at age 6 or 7, according to Dr. Alan Carr, a Mayo Clinic prosthodontist. The last one is generally gone by age 12 or 13. Despite their impermanence, it is important to take care of the baby teeth to ensure that permanent teeth come in correctly. Milk can both help and harm baby teeth.
Function
Baby teeth serve as placeholders for your child's permanent teeth; if some fall out early, the rest of the teeth can shift and cause orthodontic problems, according to the New Parents Guide. They are also crucial for proper speech development. And, of course, they are necessary for eating. Without them, your child's nutrition can suffer.
Benefits
Milk is high in calcium, which is vital for building strong teeth and bones. It helps to prevent tooth decay and also promotes the health of the gums and jawbones, according to the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. One 8-ounce glass of milk contains 300 mg of calcium. A child's calcium needs vary with age. From 6 months to 1 year, an infant needs 210 mg per day, according to the institute. From 4 years to 8 years, 800 mg is the recommended amount.
Warning
Giving your baby a bottle of milk at bedtime can cause tooth decay, according to the New Parents Guide. If you put your baby to bed with a bottle and without brushing her teeth, the natural sugars in the milk combine with bacteria in the mouth and build up rapidly during sleep, when there is little saliva to wash them away. The result is an acid that eats away at the enamel. The condition, sometimes called "baby bottle mouth," can occur with juices and other drinks, too.
Hygiene
Proper oral care should start early, even before the teeth are fully erupted, according to the New Parents Guide. Before there are teeth, you can wipe your child's gums. Once there are teeth, use a soft-bristled brush and a dab of baby toothpaste. Clean your child's teeth a couple of times per day, particularly in the evening after the last meal or bottle. Sometime in the second or third year, babies are typically ready to start brushing their own teeth under adult supervision.
Tips
To help prevent decay, avoid letting a bottle of milk serve as a pacifier during the day. Schedule your baby's last bottle of milk a little early to allow time for brushing before bedtime, and let the last drink of the night be water.
