Dental care of children from now onwards
Dr Lorna
Babies are born with no visible teeth. The 20 primary teeth (also called baby teeth or first teeth) erupt over the age from 6 months to one year. The primary teeth are replaced by the permanent teeth from age of 6-12.Baby teeth may be temporary, but they also deserve good dental care. In this country, most children come to the dentist with dental carries. Baby teeth should be kept clean and healthy so that a child can remain free of dental carries and oral pain. Infections from decayed baby tooth can damage the development of permanent tooth. Baby tooth decay is known as early childhood carries, baby bottle tooth decay or nursing mouth syndrome. Why should we worry about baby tooth decay?
1. Healthy baby teeth are crucial in helping the baby to learn to chew, to speak and to pronounce properly. 2. Baby teeth are important in building their self-confidence and self-esteem. 3. Baby teeth serve as spacers that help maintain the proper spacing and alignment of the permanent teeth. Early removal of baby tooth can cause mal-alignment of the permanent tooth. 4. Baby teeth are very important in proper feeding and nutrition. Studies have shown a potential link between the number of dental carries a child has and the probability of the child being underweight. How to reduce the risk of your baby’s tooth decay
1. Never allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juices or sweetened liquid. 2. Wipe your baby’s gums with a wet washcloth or a clean gauze pad after each feeding. 3. Begin brushing your child’s teeth with a little water as soon as the first tooth appears. 4. Supervise tooth brushing and make sure your child is 2 years old to use the pea-size amount of toothpaste with the brush. 5. Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste and rinse with water after brushing. 6. Finally make sure your child is taken to a dentist regularly starting by age 1. It is crucial to note that the proper care of baby teeth is not only important now but for the future as well. Early dental care gets a child accustomed to a clean cavity free mouth which help them to ensure this clean feeling in the future as well. All of you have to keep them in brushing two times a day and floss regularly. The writer is the Director of Bangla Hope Dental Clinic of Uttara. E-mail: dr.lorna@gmail.com
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