Many parents are under the impression that because baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, eventually fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth, it’s not necessary to be as diligent when it comes to taking care of them, but that’s far from the reality.
So, why do we need to brush baby teeth?
Those baby teeth are important because not only do they help your child chew and speak, they hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth that are growing in the gums.
If a baby tooth is lost too early, permanent teeth may move into that empty space, making it difficult for other permanent teeth to find room when they’re ready to come in, which can result in crowded, or crooked teeth.
As your pediatric dentist in Stuart, Fl will tell you, brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as they come in, helps to keep them healthy and strong – setting your child on the right path for healthy, permanent adult teeth.
Babies usually start teething around four months of age – when that first tooth arrives, it’s time to start brushing. You might be surprised to find that cavities, gingivitis and tooth decay are actually common problems with a child’s growing teeth. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention there’s been an alarming trend with dental decay in the U.S. among children aged 2 to 5 years – it increased from 24 percent to 28 percent over a ten-year period. In fact, tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, reports the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Brushing their teeth for two minutes twice a day, not only helps prevent decay, it helps your baby get used to it, and develop healthy habits for life.
In addition to regularly brushing your child’s teeth, be sure to take your child to your pediatric dentist in Stuart, Fl within six months after the first tooth comes in – and, no later than the first visit.
Your pediatric dentist in Stuart, Fl will not only check for potential problems, but can show you how to properly clean your child’s teeth as well.