Why is care of milk teeth important and how to do it?
Why is care of milk teeth important and how to do it?
Most of us believe that since milk teeth are going to fall off within a few years, it might not be as important to take care of them as permanent teeth. But, this isn’t true. You need to take care of your child's milk teeth as much as the permanent teeth, if not more.
Why good care of milk teeth is important?
Speech Development:
The age when milk teeth erupt/ are present, is the time when the child learns how to speak. Teeth (especially the front ones) play a very important role in clarity of speech. If there is damage or early loss of these teeth, the child may be unable to develop a clear speech, which might continue for the lifetime.
Formation of healthy permanent teeth:
The permanent teeth are present right below the milk teeth. Infection in milk tooth (causing pus or swelling) causes damage to the partially formed tooth below as well. The permanent teeth that erupt at the place of an infected milk tooth are not properly mineralized. Improper mineralization makes them more prone to caries.
Creating and maintaining space for permanent teeth to erupt in:
When milk teeth come out the jaw bone grows in size. If the teeth get damaged or are removed by extraction (due to excessive damage), the size of the jaw bone doesn’t increase properly in size. As a result, when permanent teeth erupt, there is not enough space in the jaws to accommodate them. This results in crowding of teeth or their misalignment.
How to take care of milk teeth Brush twice daily:
Proper brushing is the most essential part of good oral hygiene. You can ask the child one (mornings) and brush for the child at nights. Use non- fluoridated toothpaste- The child doesn’t develop the spitting reflex till around 5 years of age. For this reason it is preferable to use non-fluoridated pastes so that even if the child swallows it , it doesn’t cause toxicity. Do not give the child sugary liquids before or to put to sleep: This causes excessive caries in the teeth that requires extensive dental treatment.
Give your child water after they have has anything sweet:
It would clean away any sugar that is stuck on the teeth. Need more dental advice?
