As we know that at the age of 8th-10th months of a child, the deciduous teeth usually start to erupt. Occasionally in some cases the eruption time of deciduous teeth may vary to some extent either earlier or longer. At around of age 2-3 years, eruption of deciduous teeth may be completed.

Most of the parents think, since deciduous teeth is to be replaced by the permanent teeth, care of deciduous teeth is not so necessary.

Here I would like to inform those parents that if they do not care the deciduous teeth properly before they fall down, lots of complications may arise during or after the permanent dentition. Although there is almost all kinds of treatment for those complications are available, a little attention can make you and your dearest child free from hazards.

Actually the structure of deciduous teeth is very thin. As a result, bacteria can easily attack them and form carries. At the same time, most of the children like very much to eat sweet and sticky foods those get firmly attached with teeth for long period; carries developing bacteria stay in those sticky foods. This carries develop only due to the lack of proper tooth brushing and care.

The most significant is - the type, position, size and shape of permanent teeth mainly depend on the deciduous teeth. This is why, if deciduous teeth fall down earlier due to carries, trauma etc. or have to be extracted for any reasons, they make some complications that may change the outline of entire face in future. From the aesthetic and functional point of view patients face lots of problems day by day.

On the other hand, untreated carries for long time may be transmitted to the permanent teeth bud and form various types of infectious conditions which may form severe pain, tender swelling, high fever along with reduce interest to take food and even patient cannot open mouth in some cases. This condition also hampered the structure of permanent teeth.

Solution is very simple and it should be implemented by the parents because, children are not mature enough to do better for themselves. This is why, parents themselves have to brush their child's teeth at least two times daily and wipe up teeth by a soft cotton cloth.

They need to develop a habit of moth rinse after taking any sweet and sticky foods. Children should carefully be informed that this type of foods should not stay in the mouth and caries producing bacteria become more active with the help of this type of foods.

Your small take-care can give your child disease-free beautiful mouth and healthy teeth.

The writer is a Medical officer (Dental) of HCDP - Rampura Health Care Center.