Your child's baby teeth, also called primary teeth, help your child speak clearly, chew properly and form a path for her permanent teeth to grow, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Understanding how to take proper care of your child's teeth can help you keep your child's baby teeth strong and healthy.
identification
The bacteria in a child's mouth uses the sugar in food to make acid, which eats through the enamel of baby teeth to form cavities, according to KidsHealth.org. Failing to have the cavity repaired may lead to the destruction of the inner layers of the tooth causing toothaches, abscesses or early tooth loss. Common risk factors for cavities include eating a lot of sugary foods or drinks, being born early, having a low birth weight, having white or brown spots on any teeth, failing to visit the dentist on a regular basis or continuing health concerns, according to FamilyDoctor.org.
Considerations
The breast milk or formula parents feed their baby could cause cavities and decay known as baby bottle mouth. Typically, the saliva produced in a baby's mouth clears away the acids produced by the bacteria in the mouth, advises Dr.Green.com. However, when a baby drinks anything but water within 15 minutes of falling asleep, she does not produce enough saliva to clear away the acid. When this occurs on a regular basis, severe tooth decay can occur. To reduce this risk, parents can clean out a baby's mouth with a wet washcloth or gauze after the baby has fallen asleep.
Prevention/Solution
Fluoride can help prevent cavities by preventing the acid from destroying tooth enamel and helping repair any damage caused by acid, according to KidsHealth.org. While fluoride will not repair a cavity, it will help reverse minor tooth decay and prevent the formation of new cavities. Many towns and cities have fluoridated water supplies. Parents who live in areas without fluoridated water can consult with a dentist to determine if their child might benefit from a fluoride supplement. Too much fluoride can be harmful, so parents should never allow a child to swallow fluoridated toothpaste.
Teeth Cleansing
Proper teeth cleansing will help prevent cavities and decay in a child's baby teeth. Parents should clean their baby's teeth or gums with a soft bristled, age-appropriate toothbrush or with a clean cloth and water as soon after birth as possible, advises the American Academy of Dentistry. Once a tooth appears, parents can begin brushing at least twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste. Use toothpaste without fluoride unless instructed by your dentist for children under the age of two years. Only use a "pea-sized" amount of toothpaste for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years. Parents should always monitor their child as he brushes his teeth and assist him in cleaning all tooth surfaces. Young children lack the ability to brush their own teeth effectively.
Dental Visits
Begin taking your baby to the dentist within six months of his first tooth pushing through the gums, advises the Academy of General Dentistry. Typically, dental visits should continue to occur every six months, but a dentist may recommend a different exam schedule based on each individual child's tooth development and tooth health.
