1. Deciduous and Succedaneous
The deciduous teeth are your baby's first twenty teeth, ten on top and ten on bottom, which begin to develop in the womb during the embryonic phase. The lower front teeth are usually the first to erupt at about the age of 6 months, but there are no set rules for this milestone. By the time your baby is 3-years old, he should have all of his deciduous teeth. Although he'll lose these teeth by around age 9, it's important for them to remain healthy for the correct alignment, spacing and occlusion of the succedaneous, or permanent, teeth.
2. Teething is Not a Disease
Teething, a natural process, is usually painless and does not cause fever, diarrhea or any other systemic illness, no matter what your grandmother tells you. If your baby experiences any of these symptoms while she teeths, discuss it with your pediatrician to find the source of the illness. Teething may cause some discomfort and fussiness, which can be relieved with a teething ring or by sucking on a cold washcloth. Use teething gels conservatively.
3. Don't Eat the Toothpaste
Begin brushing your baby's teeth with water as soon as the teeth emerge. Discuss the use of toothpaste on children under the age of 2 with your pediatrician. Babies shouldn't eat the toothpaste off their toothbrushes. However, there are toothpastes available that don't have fluoride and are safe for your baby if he should ingest some during brushing. The American Dental Association recommends that a child have his first checkup no later than her first birthday.
4. Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Protect these precious teeth. Prolonged, frequent exposure of your child's teeth to fermentable carbohydrates, such as formula, milk and juice, increases the risk of bacterial growth. This in turn produces acids that attack tooth enamel. Teach your baby to use a sippy cup by the time she is 6 months old and wean her from the bottle by the time she is 1. Keep the bottles and sippy cups out of the crib and don't let him walk around all day sucking on one. Once your baby turns 1-year old, offer her water or plain milk between meals rather than sodas, juice and chocolate milk.
5. A Beautiful Smile Begins in the Womb
Healthy deciduous teeth are essential during development. Therefore, the old idea that baby teeth are dispensable isn't true. Not only are baby teeth necessary for the proper development of speech and for chewing food, the same bud that produces a baby tooth, also serves as a guide for the development of its permanent counterpart. So start taking care of your baby's teeth as soon as you find out your pregnant. Practicing good nutrition during his development, followed by the proper care when those first teeth begin to push through, will help to ensure that your child develops a beautiful smile that will carry him into adulthood.
